Improvements in the Manufacture of Steel, Steel Castings, or Ingot Iron, and in Apparatus and Appliances employed therein.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 1st Mar., 1892-Accepted, 2nd Apr., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Steel, Steel Castings, or Ingot
Iron, and in Apparatus and Appliances employed therein.
1, ALEXANDRE TROPENAS of 15 Saint James' Row Sheffield, in the County of
York, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL, STEEL CASTINGS OR
INGOT IRON AND IN APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES EMPLOYED THEREIN to
be as follows:-
22
The object of my invention is to obtain by a pneumatic process greater heat and
consequent increased fluidity in the bath of molten metal than is obtainable by the
ordinary pneumatic processes at present in use for the production of steel, steel
castings or ingot iron and by means of which phosphoric pig iron may be employed
in the manufacture of steel castings.
I attain these objects in the following manner :-
I employ a vessel similar in its general form and construction to a Bessemer
converter the exterior casing of which I make in plate metal provided with hollow
trunnions and supported on two standards to allow of the vessel being turned into
any required position. The bottom of this vessel I make conical in form, the top
of the vessel I make similar in form to that of an ordinary converter except that
the orifice or throat, through which the molten charges of metal are poured, is
somewhat smaller and more contracted.
Through one of the trunnions previously referred to I couvey the blast of air,
which has been previously heated to a high temperature, as will be hereafter
described, and thence by a branch pipe from the trunnion to an air box or boxes
fixed to one side of the vessel, in a convenient position to allow of the tuyeres,
through which the air is conveyed to the interior of the vessel being placed
at different levels, above the level of the molten charge contained in the
converter.
In the side of the vessel near the top I form an orifice communicating with
a branch pipe leading to the other trunnion of the vessel previously referred to, by
means of which I can at pleasure allow the whole or any part of the gases evolved
from the metal during the process of blowing, to pass into an ordinary or specially
formed regenerator or regenerators.
The regenerator or regenerators being provided with the usual passages,
reversing valves and flues I am able by the means herein described to heat the air
required to blow the charge in the vessel.
The vessel and the branch pipes and trunnions both for the air and gas
I line in the ordinary way with fire brick or other suitable refractory material.
The upper tuyeres previously referred to I so arrange with stoppers that
I can close or open them as I wish and work the lower tuyeres with or without
them.
The object in placing these tayeres in two levels is that the lower ones can be
employed for the ordinary process of blowing and the upper ones, by conveying
the blast of heated air above the bath to consume or partially consume the carbonic
oxide gas (C.O.) as it is evolved from the bath, thus securing additional heat and
less destruction of lining.
The bottom of the vessel being conical combined with the special position of the
tuyeres allows the lower part of the bath to remain placid so far as the influence
of the blast is concerned, the chemical reaction only causing natural ebullition,
this method being opposed to the theory of all other known pneumatic processes
where the principle is to agitate the metal by the disposition of the blast or

page_text: to give only a rotary movement combined with reduction in the depth of the
bath.
By means of a valve or damper placed in the gas flue, I can regulate the flow of
the gases, so that the whole or a lesser proportion may be emitted from the throat
of the vessel to the regenerators.
Dated this 20th In of Amil 1901
R. HEBER RADFORD,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Steel, Steel Castings, or Ingot
Iron, and in Apparatus and Appliances employed therein.
I, ALEXANDRE TROPENAS of 15 Saint James' Row, Sheffield, in the County of
York, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF STEEL, STEEL CASTINGS OR
INGOT IRON AND IN APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES EMPLOYED THEREIN," and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of my invention is to obtain by a pneumatic process greater heat and
consequent increased fluidity in the bath of molten metal than is obtainable by the
.ordinary pneumatic processes at present in use for the production of steel, steel
castings or ingot iron and by means of which phosphoric pig iron may be employed
in the manufacture of steel castings.
I attain these objects in the following manner :-
I employ a vessel similar in its general form and construction to a Bessemer
converter the exterior casing of which I make in plate metal provided with hollow
trunnions and supported on two standards to allow of the vessel being turned into
any required position. The bottom of this vessel I make conical in form, the top
of the vessel I make similar in form to that of an ordinary converter, except that
the orifice or throat, through which the molten charges of metal are poured, is
somewhat smaller and more contracted.
Through one of the trunnions previously referred to I convey the blast of air
which has been previously heated to a high temperature, as will be hereafter
described, and thence by a branch pipe from the trunnion to an air-box or hoxes
fixed to one side of the vessel, in a convenient position to allow of the tuyeres,
through which the air is conveyed to the interior of the vessel, being placed
at different levels above the level of the molten charge contained in the
converter.
In the side of the vessel near the top I form an orifice communicating with
a branch pipe leading to the other trunnion of the vessel previously referred to, by
means of which I can at pleasure allow the whole or any part of the gases evolved
from the metal during the process of blowing, to pass into an ordinary or specially
formed regenerator or regenerators.
The regenerator or regenerators being provided with the usual passages,
reversing valves and flues, I am able by the means herein described to heat the air
required to blow the charge in the vessel.
The vessel and the branch pipes and trunnions both for the air and gas I line in
the ordinary way with fire brick or other suitable refractory material.
The upper tuyeres previously referred to I so arrange with stoppers, valve or
, valves that I can close or open them as I wish and work the lower tuyeres with or
without them.
The object in placing these tuyeres in two or more levels, is, that the lower ones
can be employed for the ordinary process of blowing and the upper ones, by
conveying the blast of heated air sufficiently high above the bath, can be employed
to consume or partially consume the carbonic oxide gas (C.O.) as it is evolved

page_text: from the bath converting it into carbonic acid gas (0.0) and ՆԱ ԵՆ 6
additional heat.
The bottom of the vessel being conical combined with the special position of the
tuyeres allows the lower part of the bath to remain placid, so far as the influence
of the blast is concerned, the chemical reaction only causing natural ebullition,
this my improved method of operating being opposed to the theory of all other
known pneumatic processes where the principle is to agitate the metal by the
disposition of the blast or to give only a rotary movement combined with reduction
in the depth of the bath.
By means of a valve or damper placed in the gas flue, I can regulate the flow of
the gases, so that the whole or a lesser proportion may be emitted from the throat
of the vessel to the regenerators.
The objects of my invention will be better understood on reference to the
accompanying two sheets of drawings in which
Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, on Sheet 1. represent the general disposition of my improved
converting apparatus and appliances as fitted with two rows of tuyeres.
Fig. 1, being a longitudinal section and elevation.
Fig. 2, a general plan and section through bottom tuyeres.
Fig. 3, a side view and vertical section.
Fig. 4, a plan and section above the two rows of tuyeres.
The converter is composed of a body or shell made of strong plates of iron or
steel, strengthened by angle iron. This shell is cylindrical in form with a round or
conical bottom, and a movable door (M). The top commencing from the cylindrical
portion is also tapered conically, leaving a round opening or mouth through which
the metal is charged and afterwards teemed out and by which the gases are
discharged during decarburization. The inside of the shell is lined with a refractory
material (B), which can be either acid for the decarburization of hematite or
basic for the decarburization of phosphoric iron, or in some cases a neutral lining
may be employed.
The body of the converter is suspended on two hollow trunnions (C), fixed
opposite each other and resting on two supports (D), fastened by bolts to a prepared
foundation.
The trunnions (C), and standards (D), are so arranged that the converter can be
turned to any position required during any period of the operation.
To actuate the movement of the converter I use any suitable kind of hand gear
for the small sized converter and hydraulic or other suitable tipping gear for the
larger sized converter.
These appliances for turning or tipping converter are omitted from the
drawings with a view of avoiding complication, and because there is nothing
special in them.
The end of right hand trunnion in Figs. 1, and 2, has a stuffing box (E), an
elbow (F), and a valve (G), which is in communication with a blowing engine
capable of giving the necessary volume and pressure of air required for the
operation. This same right hand trunnion has a branch (H), connected with an
air box (I), which provides the air for the bottom tuyeres.
This box (I), is closed by a movable cover in which are provided sight holes,
fitted with glass, to allow of the tuyeres being seen at any time.
The left hand trunnion (in Figs. 1, and 2), is in communication by pipe (J),
with the upper portion of the vessel in order to take off a portion of the gas,
emitted from the bath of metal through this trunnion into box (K), and thence
into a regenerator or regenerators and chimney not shewn on the drawings.
The inside of pipe J, left hand trunnion and box, K, are lined with refractory
material.
The regenerator which may be constructed somewhat similar to that employed
in the Siemens or other forms of regenerative furnaces, is placed in such a position
that the air from the blowing engine, passes through it before reaching valve G,

page_text: and air-box I. The remainder of the gas emitted from the molten bath not used to
heat the regenerator or regenerators is allowed to escape through month, O, into
the atmosphere.
In some cases I also provide and fix in the chimney, erected to take away the
gases and fumes from the converter, a special arrangement of pipes on which the
hot gases will play and heat the air which is driven through these pipes from
blowing engine, but as this last named provision is not novel I make no claim with
regard to it.
On branch H, is fixed a valve L, which puts H, by means of pipes N, P,
and P2, in communication with air-box R, providing air for top tuyeres. This
valve I, admits of the stopping or the regulation of the volume of air to top
tuyeres.
As shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 the transverse section of the converter is cylindrical.
The thickness of the refractory lining is greater on the tuyere side because this
portion is always destroyed quicker than the other parts.
Each tuyere or group or series of tuyeres is composed of refractory block or
blocks, with a suitable hole or holes and generally round for the bottom tuyeres
and oval or rectangular for top tnyeres. The number of tuyeres depends upon
section of holes in same and size of converter.
These tuyeres are placed in two distinct rows, each row having its special airbox.
The bottom tuyeres in communication with the largest airbox I, are tuyeres of
re-action and have to act upon the metal only; the top tuyeres in communication
with airbox, R, are tuyeres of combustion and have to act only upon the gas
emitted from the molten bath by the reaction of the bottom tuyeres.
The two rows of tuyeres are placed in such a manner that they project as shewn
at, S, beyond the face of the lining inside the converter, this being effected by
altering the radius on the face of the tuyeres as shewn on the plan, (which is about
double that of the inside of the converter at the same place).
The object of this disposition of the tuyeres is :-
1. To increase the durability of the lining.
2. To prevent to a certain extent, the upward movement of the molten bath
adjacent to the tujeres.
3. The inside face of the tuyeres being formed in a radius as described, the
tuyeres nearest the sides of the vessel for example 5, and 6, project more in vertical
section than the centre tuyeres 1, 0, and 2, and consequently 5, and 6, are nearer
face of molten bath than 1, 0, and 2, when converter is put in position for com-
mencing, (see Fig. 7).
The advantage of this position is that the tuyeres 5 and 6, being nearest the
metal give the first indication of becoming obstructed by slag and afford an
opportunity of changing the converter from the position which has caused this
obstruction thus keeping the remaining tuyeres clear.
It is essential to notice that under the effect of the chemical reaction produced by
the air of the bottom tuyeres the surface of the molten bath will have a tendency to
be agitated near the tuyeres and my special disposition of projection S, of tuyeres
will stop, to a great extent this agitation.
In the vertical section Fig. 3, the two rows of tuyeres are parallel and at right
angles to the tuyere-side face of the converter.
In the horizontal section Fig. 2, the tuyeres of each row are symmetrically placed
on each side of the centre tuyere, that is to say, each tuyere on each side centre one,
bears the same relation of angle to centre tuyere. In the case of Fig. 2, the tuyeres
are divergent.
They may be convergent as shewn in Fig. 5, or parallel as in Fig. 6; this
disposition depending upon the size of the converter; but in any case they require
to be symmetrical to centre tuyere, and the object of this is to prevent all gyrating,
churning or stirring movement in the molten bath.
The object in avoiding this gyrating, churning, or stirring movement is to

page_text: prevent the slag being constantly stirred with the molten metal, which in con-
sequence of this stirring being done in an atmosphere containing a great proportion
of the reductor gas (C.O.), causes to a great extent the impurities in the slag to
return again into the bath and thus undo a great deal of the purifying work which
has previously been done by the action of the air from the bottom tuyeres.
Further and with a view of keeping the molten bath placid and quiet during the
operation I make the bottom of the bath conical, round or hemispherical or of any
other convenient shape by means of which I secure a great depth in proportion to
the surface area and cubical capacity of the same.
By the combination of the projection, S, of the tuyeres, by their symmetrical
position and by the shape or form of the bottom of the converter I avoid the
agitation peculiar to other pneumatic processes during the whole period of the
blowing operation.
The foregoing disposition of my apparatus and appliances and the processes.
conducted thereby are in complete opposition to the recognised practice in any
other similar process or processes where a stirring movement is obtained by injecting
the air through a portion or the whole of the molten bath; or by such a disposition
of the tuyeres as to obtain a gyrating movement; or by a small depth of the molten
bath; or by the aforesaid means combined.
It may here be observed that the most impure steel manufactured by the
pneumatic process, is that produced from a bath which has received the largest
amount of gyrating, churning or stirring in its molten state.
When the charge of iron previously melted in the cupola or other furnace has.
been run into the converter I shut the valve, L, to prevent any air passing to the
top tuyeres, and open valve G. I then incline the converter in the position as
shewn in Fig. 7, the air injected by bottom tuyeres coming in contact at, Q, with
the surface of molten bath about the middle or halfway across the same.
In this position the tuyeres form an angle with the surface of the bath, and their
orifices T, are completely above the metal.
Under the influence of the air coming at this moment only by the bottom tuyeres.
an undulation or depression is formed on the surface as shewn in Fig. 7.
The air being compressed only at a low pressure has not the force to penetrate
into the bath but only acts upon the surface of it.
During the first period of the operation it is necessary to have a sufficient distance
between the orifices of the bottom tuyeres and the level of the metal to prevent any
portion of the slag from obstructing or corking the tuyeres.
In most cases the converter keeps the position shewn in Fig. 7, during the first
period in which no flame is emitted from the mouth; when the flame is observed I
move the converter to position shewn in Fig. 8, so that the bottom tuyeres come
nearer the surface of the bath. The distance between the bottom tuyeres and the
surface of the bath is varied according to the nature of the pig iron employed, but
in no case must the tuyeres come below the surface of the bath.
During the first period (Fig. 7,) a good deal of slag is formed but during this.
formation the bottom tuyeres are kept above it, and when the converter is moved to
the position as shewn in Fig. 8, the bottom tuyeres come in direct contact with that
slag which containing at this moment much oxide of iron, is very fluid and easily
penetrated by the air from the bottom tuyeres.
A portion of that slag coming in contact with the air which is of considerably
less temperature becomes solidified and forms hollow projections, tubes or nozzles.
on the ends of the bottom tuyeres. The effect of this is to reduce somewhat the
section of the orifice of the tuyeres, but this taking place in the second period cr
after flame is observed at the mouth of the converter, is not detrimental, as less.
volume of air is required for the operation when the flame has been observed.
Again, these self formed projections, tubes or nozzles being above the bath,.
co-operate with the other dispositions, already specified to keep the bath quiet, and
also protect the ends of the tuyeres.
In my improved process the direct reaction of the air upon the metal takes place

page_text: on the surface only, oxidising that surface and that oxidised surface reacting upon
the metal immediately underneath and this chemical reaction continues from
molecule to molecule throughout the bath without any gyrating, churning or stirring
of the bath.
I will now explain how I use and what is the function of the top tuyeres. The
gases produced by the reaction of the air from the bottom tuyeres upon the molten
bath, contain a certain proportion of hydrogen (H), coming from the decomposition
of the humidity of the air and also a great proportion of carbonic oxide gas (C.O.)
produced in part by the carbon in the bath not being completely oxidised through
the air from bottom tuyeres not playing directly upon it, and in part, by the decom-
position of carbonic acid gas (C.O2), resulting from the high temperature in the
converter.
As previously explained when no flame is visible, (first period), no air is allowed
to come through the top tuyeres; but as soon as flame is observed I gradually open
valve, L, to admit air. The object and result of this admission of air through the
top tuyeres, is to burn carbonic oxide gas (C.O), and hydrogen (H), and thus to
produce a high temperature immediately above the bath, which high temperature
(or a part thereof) increases the temperature of the bath itself.
The volume of air coming through the top tuyeres is regulated by valve, L,
according to the production of C.O. and thus burns C.O. as completely as possible.
The operation is stopped by means ordinarily employed in a pneumatic process.
The following is a summary of my improvements and the advantages derived
therefrom.
(1.) A special form of the bottom of the converter so as to obtain a great depth
of the molten bath in proportion to its cubical contents, and surface area at the top
on which the air from the bottom tuyeres has to act and prevent to a certain extent
the movement of the metal which always takes place in other pneumatic processes
in which the depth of the metal is shallow.
(2.) A special disposition of the tuyeres projecting beyond the face of the lining,
which co-operates with (1), already named to keep the bath comparatively placid
or quiet, and which disposition is not used in other pneumatic processes.
23
(3.) The circular form of the face of the tuyeres to prevent the simultaneous
obstruction or corking of all the tuyeres, e give the operator an opportunity of
moving the converter if the bottom tuyeres have been put too near the surface of
metal during the first period.
This disposition of the tuyeres is totally different from that in other processes.
(4.) Symmetrical position of tuyeres from the centre tuyere to prevent any
gyrating motion of the bath, and thus being different to other processes where the
tuyeres are placed at such an angle as to produce a gyrating motion.
(5.) Special position of the bottom tuyeres so that their ends come always
above and never under nor in direct contact with the metal, a position totally
different from other processes where the tuyeres come more or less below the
surface.
(6.) Oxidation of the elements, which elements have to be eliminated from the
iron, at the surface of the bath only, and the reaction being transmitted from
molecule to molecule from the surface throughout the bath to the bottom of same
without any stirring movement and mixture of slag with the metal.
(7.) Addition of a second or top row of tuyeres parallel, or otherwise with
bottom tuyeres and through them to supply air for the combustion of C.O.
and H, and increase the temperature of bath by the utilisation of gases com-
pletely lost in other pneumatic processes. To regulate at will by means of
valve L, the volume of air necessary for the combustion of C.O. and H, and
doing this without interfering with the action of the bottom tuyeres.
(8.) Utilisation of a portion of the hot gases from the converter to heat the air
coming from blowing engine to tuyeres.
(9.) Facility to repair the lining of converter by opening the door, M, placed at
the bottom.

page_text: (b) Less destruction of lining.
(c) Less final addition.
my
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is
1. In the acid or basic processes by the pneumatic system the improved method
of manufacturing steel, steel castings, or ingot iron by causing the blast of air to
act only upon the surface of the molten bath so as to avoid the agitation and
gyrating motion peculiar to other pneumatic processes substantially as herein
described.
2. The general construction and arrangement of apparatus as herein described
for carrying out my improved method of manufacturing steel, steel castings, or
ingot-iron.
3. The use in my improved apparatus of two or more rows of tuyeres arranged
and operating substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. The method of increasing the temperature within the converter by projecting
air through tuyeres arranged at a sufficient height for causing combustion of the
carbonic oxide and hydrogen evolved during the operation substantially as
described.
5. In the acid or basic processes of the manufacture of steel, steel castings, or
ingot iron by the pneumatic system the particular disposition, arrangement and
combination of parts and appliances substantially as herein described and as shewn
in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, of the drawings.
6. In the acid or basic processes of the manufacture of steel ingots, steel castings
and ingot-iron by the pneumatic system constructing the converter bottom conical,
round, hemispherical or of any other convenient shape by means of which a great
depth in proportion to the surface area at the top and cubical capacity of the same,
is obtained, in the manner and for the purposes substantially as herein described
and illustrated.
7. In the acid or basic processes of the manufacture of steel ingots, steel castings,
and ingot-iron by the pneumatic system, the particular disposition arrangement and
combination of parts and appliances comprising-The outlet provided near the
upper portion or throat of the converter, in addition to the ordinary orifice, the pipe
leading from the said orifice whereby a portion of the gas emitted from the bath may
be conducted through one of the trunnions; the receiver through which the gas passes
> from the last named pipe and trunnions into a regenerator or regenerators in which
the air used in the blowing process is heated on its way to the converter, in the
manner and for the purposes substantially as herein described and illustrated.
8. In the acid or basic processes of the manufacture of steel ingots, steel castings
and ingot iron by the pneumatic system the use of the particular disposition,
arrangement and combination of parts and appliances comprised in Claims 5 and 6
either with or without the apparatus and appliances described in Claim 7, that is to

page_text: say, I claim the use of my improved apparatus and appliances as described in
Claims 5 and 6, either with hot or with cold air, in the manner and for the purposes
substantially as herein described and illustrated.
71
ليوم
1
T
1000
R. HEBER RADFORD,
Agent for the Applicant.