Improvements in Apparatus for Converting Crude Iron into Malleable Iron or Steel.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Converting Crude Iron into
Malleable Iron or Steel.
I, JOHN WESLEY BOOKWALTER, of Springfield, Ohio, United States of America,
Engineer, at present residing at the First Avenue Hotel, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in convertors of the Bessemer type and the
object thereof is to secure a more complete and regular circulation of the metal
contained in the convertor so that the air blasts may act with greater uniformity upon
the metal contained in the bath.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 represents a vertical section of a cylindrical
convertor and Fig. 2 a longitudinal elevation thereof partly in section.
The convertor A is of ordinary construction and is mounted on trunnions B in the
usual manner the blasts being admitted through tuyeres C. When the air is
admitted in blasts or jets horizontally or nearly so at the circumference of the
convertor and at or near the surface of the metal the tendency of the blasts is to
produce a circulatory motion somewhat irregular throughout the mass of molten
metal being greatest at or near the circumference of the convertor or where the metal
receives the initial impulse and pressure of the air and there is a tendency thus to
leave a portion of the metal in the centre of the mass in a relatively undisturbed
condition. Thus the outward portion of the mass of metal, or that portion which first
receives the action of the air entering from the tuyeres is much more frequently
subjected to the oxidising influences of the atmosphere than that which is contained
in the centre of the mass where the circulation and motion is less active. To remedy
this defect I place a core D of fire clay or other refractory material in the interior of
the convertor in such manner that when the latter is charged the core shall occupy
the position which would otherwise be occupied by the undisturbed mass of inert
metal around which the rest of the metal as above mentioned would circulate. This
will therefore leave in the convertor an annulus of molten metal having throughout a
fairly constant circulatory motion.

page_text: The upper side of the core being sunk only a few inches below the surface of the
metal in the convertor and at about the same level as the orifices of the tuyeres it
follows that when the circulatory motion is established all the metal comes with
regularity and certainty to the surface and shares the effect of the blast whereby the
homogenity of the charge is insured.
Figs. 3 and 4 show a similar core D applied to a pear-shaped convertor and it is
obvious that such a core may be applied, with suitable modifications, to any of the
ordinary forms of convertors now in general use.
I do not limit myself to the use of a solid core or to any manner of fixing the
same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination with a convertor such as described of a core such as D
situated about the centre of motion of the circulating mass of metal substantially as
and for the purpose described.
2. The use of a core such as described within a convertor so situated as to occupy
the space which would otherwise be occupied by a comparatively inert mass of metal
for the purpose of ensuring a more perfect contact between the blast and the whole
of the charge of metal substantially as described.
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