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Abstract

A method and an apparatus for advantageously introducing a flame and a high velocity oxidizing gas into a furnace for metal melting, refining and processing, particularly steel making in an electric arc furnace. The steel making process of an electric arc furnace is made more efficient by shortening the time of the scrap melting phase and introducing an effective high velocity oxidizing gas stream into the process sooner to decarburize the melted metal. In one implementation of an apparatus, improved efficiency is obtained by mounting a fixed burner/lance closer to the hot face of the furnace refractory at an effective injection angle. This mounting technique shortens the distance that the flame of the burner has to melt through the scrap to clear a path to the molten metal and shortens the distance the high velocity oxygen from the lance travels to the slag-metal interface thereby increasing its penetrating power. The method additionally includes supplying a plurality of reaction zones with the high velocity oxidizing gas to decarburize the melted metal. The plurality of reaction zones increases the surface area available for the reaction thereby allowing a more rapid rate of decarburization and a more homogenous metal bath. The reaction zones are supplied with the high velocity oxidizing gas according to an oxygen supply profile which is related to the carbon content of the metal bath. In this manner an optimal amount of oxygen can be introduced into the metal bath to shorten the decarburization process without producing excessive oxidation of the metal bath and excessive free oxygen in the furnace.

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First Claim