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Abstract

A method of refining molten metal in a vessel by the reaction of oxygen with impurities in the molten metal comprises the steps of: a) ejecting at least one primary jet of oxygen from a lance positioned above the molten metal into the molten metal to react with impurities therein and to form a layer of molten slag; b) continuing to eject the primary jet of oxygen from the lance and thereby causing the primary bet of oxygen to pass through the slag layer into the molten metal; c) ejecting a plurality of secondary jets of oxygen from the lance, the secondary jet of oxygen travelling for a distance separately from the primary jet of oxygen; and d) entraining the secondary jets of oxygen into the primary jet of oxygen upstream of the entry of the primary jet of oxygen into the molten metal. A lance head for use in the method has at least one primary oxygen port and a plurality of secondary oxygen ports, the axis of the second oxygen port diverging in the direction of flow from the primary oxygen port at an angle of up to 45°. The method and lance head are particularly of use in the Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) process. If desired, a stirring gas such as argon may be mixed with the primary oxygen.

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First Claim