Method of removing the fused non-ferrous or ferrous metal stickers from slag pot ladles

Abstract

A method of removing a metal sticker from a metal slag pot ladle. A step is taken of injecting cryogenic freezing gases into the ladle, while taking care to avoid contact of the freezing gases with interior walls of the ladle. A step is then taken of lowering a temperature of the metal sticker until the metal sticker shrinks and pulls away from the interior walls of the ladle.

1 . A method of removing a metal sticker from a metal slag pot ladle and associated vessels, comprising the steps of: 
 injecting cryogenic freezing gases into the slag pot ladle, while taking care to avoid contact of the freezing gases with interior walls of the ladle; and    lowering a temperature of the metal sticker until the metal sticker shrinks and pulls away from the interior walls of the slag pot ladle.    
   
   
       2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the metal sticker temperature being lowered gradually in order to avoid thermal shock to the slag pot ladle.  
   
   
       3 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , the metal sticker being subjected to temperatures between −80 degrees Celsius and −196 degrees Celsius.  
   
   
       4 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , including a step of dumping the metal sticker from the slag pot ladle.  
   
   
       5 . A method of removing metal stickers from a metal slag pot ladle, comprising the steps of: 
 placing a cryogenic gas injection system over the metal sticker;    injecting cryogenic freezing gases into the ladle, while taking care to avoid contact of the freezing gases with interior walls of the slag pot ladle;    lowering a temperature of the metal sticker to below −80 degrees Celsius until the metal sticker shrinks and pulls away from the interior walls of the slag pot ladle, the temperature being lowered gradually in order to avoid thermal shock to the slag pot ladle; and    dumping the metal sticker from the slag pot ladle.