A method and a system for determining a mass of feedstock discharged by a conveyor during a first time interval t are disclosed. The method includes taking successive digital images of the feedstock in a specific zone of the conveyor being separated by a second time interval t of smaller duration than the first time interval t, for each of the second time intervals t: computing the advancing distance of a sub-volume of feedstock during the second time interval t in the specific zone of the conveyor by numerical treatment of the two successive images associated with the second time interval t; determining at least one transversal height profile of the sub-volume of feedstock; and determining an effective feedstock density for the sub-volume of feedstock. The method further includes computing the mass of feedstock discharged by the conveyor during the first time interval t into the metallurgical furnace on the basis of the advancing distance, the at least one transversal height profile and the effective feedstock density, computed or determined for each of the second time intervals t.

A method and an apparatus for making a mineral melt having a cyclone furnace and a separating cyclone, said apparatus further having a device for supplying pre-heated particulate mineral material from a bottom of the separating cyclone to an inlet of the cyclone furnace. A material receiving conduit adapted for receiving the pre-heated particulate mineral material from the bottom outlet of the separating cyclone, in which the material receiving conduit has a first pressure. An outlet conduit supplying the particulate mineral material to the inlet of the cyclone furnace having a second pressure, wherein said second pressure is higher than said first pressure, and the particulate mineral material is fluidised and flows from the material receiving conduit to the outlet conduit. A gas-lock valve is provided between said material receiving conduit and said outlet conduit.

A method and an apparatus for making a mineral melt having a cyclone furnace and a separating cyclone, said apparatus further having a device for supplying pre-heated particulate mineral material from a bottom of the separating cyclone to an inlet of the cyclone furnace. A material receiving conduit adapted for receiving the pre-heated particulate mineral material from the bottom outlet of the separating cyclone, in which the material receiving conduit has a first pressure. An outlet conduit supplying the particulate mineral material to the inlet of the cyclone furnace having a second pressure, wherein said second pressure is higher than said first pressure, and the particulate mineral material is fluidised and flows from the material receiving conduit to the outlet conduit. A gas-lock valve is provided between said material receiving conduit and said outlet conduit.

A process and apparatus for direct smelting metalliferous material is disclosed. The invention concentrates injection of solid feed materials comprising metalliferous material and carbonaceous material into a direct smelting vessel during the course of the process into a relatively small region within a metal layer in a molten bath in the vessel in order to generate a substantial upward movement of molten material and gas from the metal layer into a region in the vessel that is above the molten bath. In particular, the invention injects the solid food materials with sufficient momentum and/or velocity via an opposed pair of lances that are oriented within the vessel and arranged to form overlapping plumes of injected material in the molten bath.

A process and apparatus for direct smelting metalliferous material is disclosed. The invention concentrates injection of solid feed materials comprising metalliferous material and carbonaceous material into a direct smelting vessel during the course of the process into a relatively small region within a metal layer in a molten bath in the vessel in order to generate a substantial upward movement of molten material and gas from the metal layer into a region in the vessel that is above the molten bath. In particular, the invention injects the solid food materials with sufficient momentum and/or velocity via an opposed pair of lances that are oriented within the vessel and arranged to form overlapping plumes of injected material in the molten bath.

The invention relates to a device having a bottom, side walls and a ceiling, which together define a channel, as well as transportation means, extending in an axial direction of the channel from an entry port of the channel to an exit port of the channel, for transferring a metallurgical material from the entry port to the exit port.

The invention relates to a device having a bottom, side walls and a ceiling, which together define a channel, as well as transportation means, extending in an axial direction of the channel from an entry port of the channel to an exit port of the channel, for transferring a metallurgical material from the entry port to the exit port.

A system and equipment to measure and control the feeding of load material into an electrical arc furnace (EAF) includes an automatic control device feeding the load material; a measuring device positioned between the EAF and the tilting platform that includes an upper plate adapted to slide against the EAF, a lower plate engaged to the tilting platform, and a ring structure therebetween having a peripheral ring wall, a ring plate extending across the ring structure, and a contact member coupled to the ring plate that upperly contacts the upper plate and lowerly approaches, without contacting the lower plate; and one or more sensors measuring a deformation of the ring plate upon application of a load on the upper plate.

A shield for injection lances in metal production furnaces facilitates the adjustment of the contents of the melt in the metal production furnace. The shield has an outer shell joined to an inner shell by a face plate. The outer shell and inner shell define a fluid chamber between them and the face plate has an inlet aperture and an exit aperture for coolant flow through the fluid chamber. The shield is sized and shaped to fit into or around an aperture in the wall of the furnace. The shield has apertures through it to facilitate introduction of additives to the melt in the metal production furnace.

A shield for injection lances in metal production furnaces facilitates the adjustment of the contents of the melt in the metal production furnace. The shield has an outer shell joined to an inner shell by a face plate. The outer shell and inner shell define a fluid chamber between them and the face plate has an inlet aperture and an exit aperture for coolant flow through the fluid chamber. The shield is sized and shaped to fit into or around an aperture in the wall of the furnace. The shield has apertures through it to facilitate introduction of additives to the melt in the metal production furnace.