Patent ID: 7947217

Claim:
A metallurgical processing installation comprising: (a) a fixed hollow metallurgical vessel within which to perform direct smelting of a metalliferous feed material to discharge molten metal continuously; (b) a plurality of cooling panels forming an internal lining for at least an upper part of the vessel, each panel having an internal passage for flow of coolant therethrough; (c) coolant inlet and outlet connectors for the panels at locations distributed around the exterior of the vessel; (d) a coolant flow system for flow of coolant to and from the coolant inlet and outlet connectors, which flow system comprises a supply pipe and a return pipe extending generally horizontally at least partially around the vessel, a first series of upright smaller pipes connected to the supply pipe and to the coolant inlet connectors, and a second series of upright pipes connected to the return pipe and to the coolant outlet connectors; and (e) a tower structure at least partially surrounding the vessel on which the coolant flow system is supported.