Patent ID: 8273288

Claim:
A bottom nozzle for a metallurgical vessel, comprising an upper nozzle ( 3 ) arranged in a floor ( 1 ) of the metallurgical vessel and a lower nozzle ( 7 ) arranged below the upper nozzle ( 3 ), a wall of an aperture for metal melt flow through the upper and lower nozzles ( 3 , 7 ) being formed to be sealed against at least the metal melt flow, wherein the lower nozzle ( 7 ) and a valve ( 6 ) for regulating the metal melt flow are surrounded by a gas-tight housing ( 14 ) having an upper end and a lower end, the housing ( 14 ) reducing penetration of gas into the aperture between the upper and lower ends, wherein the housing ( 14 ) encloses the lower nozzle ( 7 ) with a portion of an interior surface of the housing ( 14 ) abutting an exterior surface of the lower nozzle ( 7 ), wherein a thermally insulating solid is arranged between the wall of the aperture and the housing ( 14 ); and wherein a seal is arranged around a periphery of the lower nozzle between the thermally insulating solid and the housing.