The Use of Oxygen in the Ferrous and Non-ferrous Metallurgical Industries -Part I.

JSGT 1949 V33 T103-T119

The open-hearth steel-melting furnace is briefly described and compared with the glass-tank furnace. The use of oxygen as a means of enhancing the flame temperature in the open-hearth furnace is considered, both from a. theoretical and practical standpoint, and details are given of the various ways in which the use of oxygen may be undertaken and the improvements which may be hoped for. It is concluded that the maximum permissible roof temperature is probably the most important factor limiting the widespread use of oxygen in non-ferrous process furnaces and glass tanks. It is possible that for furnaces operating continuous processes, oxygen is best utilised as a means of enabling the furnace to work on low-grade fuels.

D. J. O. Brandt