British Steel Plc.

Robert Baker

Gene D Spenceley

Hugh Willmott Grenfell

David James Bowen

Roger A Page

A method is provided for refining molten metal containing an impurity which is oxidizable in preference to one or more selected constituent elements of the metal and which forms a gaseous oxide, the method comprising injecting oxygen and a diluent gas into the molten metal contained in a vessel so as to reduce the proportion of the impurity in the metal by evolution as the gaseous oxide, weighing the vessel during refining to establish a point at which the weight of the vessel contents changes significantly due to preferential oxidation of the one or more selected constituent elements, initiating at the point a reduction in the ratio of oxygen: diluent gas to as to reduce the rate of oxidation of the one or more selected constituent elements relative to the impurity and continuing injection until the proportion of the impurity is reduced to the desired level.

Refining molten metal

Various forms of method and apparatus are described for the manufacture of steel wherein solid carbonaceous materials are injected below the surface of a melt during the introduction of oxygen to raise the energy level within the melt. Solid iron-bearing materials may also be introduced to the melt and a continuous tapping process is described wherein the iron-bearing and carbonaceous materials are delivered continuously to the melt.

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Sheffield, United Kingdom

Robert Baker