A device is provided for inserting a refractory block (20) into a taphole structure (10) of a metallurgical vessel, in particular a basic oxygen furnace (BOF). The refractory block (20) is carried by a mounting unit (25) and having a proximate end (26), which can be introduced into the taphole. A distal end (27) with locking elements (28), which can be coupled to a locking plate (31) of the vessel, is disposed at the outside of the taphole (21) of the vessel (11). The refractory block (20) can be introduced into the taphole structure (10) until the locking elements (28) of the mounting unit (25) can be attached to and coupled with the coupling head (30) with a manipulator. This mounting unit (25) can be respectively uncoupled also with the manipulator, when the refractory block (20) is mortared and fixed in the lining (12), whereby the mounting unit (25) can be decoupled and removed solely out of the taphole (21). That enables the refractory block replacement and the gunning of refractory material from the inside of the furnace more easily.

The present disclosure provides a system for continuously detecting the temperature and composition of molten steel during converter steelmaking, and relates to the technical field of steelmaking detection devices. A seating brick (3) and a probe conveying pipe (5) are provided on a side wall of a converter (1), and multiple probes are provided in different detection through holes (4) within the probe conveying pipe (5) respectively. The temperature of molten steel, the oxygen activity of the molten steel and the low carbon and phosphorus content in the molten steel within the converter can be detected in real time. This facilitates an operator adopting corresponding operational means to reach the smelting end point in an optimized manner so as to improve various economic and technical indexes in steelmaking.

A chromia-based brick, having chromia as a main component, includes: 70 to 95 mass % of Cr.sub.2O.sub.3; 0.5 to 15 mass % of ZrO.sub.2; 0.4 to 4.0 mass % of P.sub.2O.sub.5 derived from phosphate added as raw material; 10 or lower mass % of Al.sub.2O.sub.3; and a sintering aid component and unavoidable components.

The present disclosure provides a system for continuously detecting the temperature and composition of molten steel during converter steelmaking, and relates to the technical field of steelmaking detection devices. A seating brick (3) and a probe conveying pipe (5) are provided on a side wall of a converter (1), and multiple probes are provided in different detection through holes (4) within the probe conveying pipe (5) respectively. The temperature of molten steel, the oxygen activity of the molten steel and the low carbon and phosphorus content in the molten steel within the converter can be detected in real time. This facilitates an operator adopting corresponding operational means to reach the smelting end point in an optimized manner so as to improve various economic and technical indexes in steelmaking.

Method for determining the state of a fire-resistant lining of a vessel containing molten metal in particular in which maintenance data, production data, and wall thicknesses at least at locations with the highest degree of wear are measured or ascertained together with additional process parameters of at least one identical/similar vessel after the vessel has been used. The data is collected and stored in a data structure. A calculating model is generated from at least some of the measured or ascertained data or parameters, and the data or parameters are evaluated using the calculating model using calculations and subsequent analyses. Thus, related or integral ascertaining processes and subsequent analyses can be carried out, on the basis of which optimizations relating to both the vessel lining as well as the complete process of the molten metal in the vessel are achieved.

Method and device for repairing the spout sleeve of a metallurgical vessel fitted securely within the refractory lining of the vessel in which the sleeve is repaired by applying mortar to the casting channel of the sleeve with a mortar dispenser inserted into the casting channel, which upon removing the mortar dispenser from the casting channel calibrates the latter over the entire length of the channel. The mortar dispenser is driven rotating coaxially to the casting channel during the mortar application and, after a defined time, is removed from the casting channel, still rotating. The method is particularly suitable for repairing the inner sleeve of a casting ladle with a slide closure adjoining the ladle spout, maintenance of which is automatically carried out in a maintenance station of the casting facility. Repair of the inner sleeve is also carried out automatically here during the maintenance of the slide closure.

A measurement system is provided for predicting a future status of a refractory lining that is lined over an inner surface of an outer wall of a metallurgical vessel and exposed to a heat during which the refractory lining is exposed to molten metal. The system includes one or more laser scanners and a processor. The laser scanners are configured to conduct a plurality of laser scans of the refractory lining when the metallurgical vessel is empty. At least one of the laser scanners is configured to laser scan the refractory lining prior to the heat to collect data related to pre-heat structural conditions of the refractory lining. At least one of the laser scanners is configured to laser scan the refractory lining after the heat to collect data related to post-heat structural conditions of the refractory lining. The processor is configured to predict the future status of the lining.

Device for inserting a refractory block into a taphole structure of a metallurgical vessel, in particular a basic oxygen furnace wherein the refractory block is carried by a mounting unit and has a proximate end introducable into the taphole. A distal end with locking elements, which can be coupled to a locking plate of the vessel, is disposed at the outside of the taphole of the vessel. The refractory block can be introduced into the taphole structure until the locking elements of the mounting unit can be attached to and coupled with the coupling head with a manipulator. This mounting unit can be uncoupled with the manipulator, when the refractory block is mortared and fixed in the lining, whereby the mounting unit can be decoupled and removed solely out of the taphole to enable refractory block replacement and gunning of refractory material from the inside of the furnace more easily.

Method for determining the state of a fire-resistant lining of a vessel containing molten metal in particular in which maintenance data, production data, and wall thicknesses at least at locations with the highest degree of wear are measured or ascertained together with additional process parameters of at least one identical/similar vessel after the vessel has been used. The data is collected and stored in a data structure. A calculating model is generated from at least some of the measured or ascertained data or parameters, and the data or parameters are evaluated using the calculating model using calculations and subsequent analyses. Thus, related or integral ascertaining processes and subsequent analyses can be carried out, on the basis of which optimizations relating to both the vessel lining as well as the complete process of the molten metal in the vessel are achieved.

An apparatus (2) for determining thickness of refractory material (4) lining a metal vessel (6) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a radiation source (16) for emitting radiation through a metal wall of the vessel and into the refractory material, wherein some of the radiation is scattered by the refractory material, and a radiation detector (20) for detecting radiation scattered by the refractory material through the wall of the vessel. A converter provides an output signal dependent on the quantity of radiation scattered by the refractory material through the wall of the vessel and detected by the radiation detector.