Blast furnace plug

Abstract

An apparatus for centering a tap drill is provided herein. The device includes a body made of a refractory material that has a tapered shape and a connector secured to body configured to permit connection of the body to a tap drill bit. In addition, a method of operating a blast furnace is provided herein. The method includes providing a blast furnace plug having a refractory body having a tapered configuration. Securing the blast furnace plug to a tap drill bit. Aligning the blast furnace plug with a tap hole plugged with mud, and inserting the blast furnace plug into the mud to create an indentation in the mud having a tapered configuration. Removing the blast furnace plug from the tap drill bit, aligning the tap drill bit with the indentation and tapping the blast furnace.

1 . A device for centering a tap drill comprising:
 a body made of a refractory material;   the body having a tapered configuration; and   a connector secured to body configured to permit the connection of the body to a tap drill bit.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the tapered body has a conical shape. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the tapered body has a frusto-conical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising one or more pieces of reinforcement material located within the conical body. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the refractory material is a 3100° to 3400° refractory material. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the refractory tapered body has a rounded end. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the refractory tapered body has a pointed end. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for a blast furnace comprising:
 a tapered body comprising a refractory material;   at least one reinforcing member within the tapered body; and   a drill head secured to the tapered body for connecting the tapered body to a tap drill bit.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the tapered body has a conical shape. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the tapered body has a frusto-conical shape. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the refractory material is a 3100° to 3400° refractory material. 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a blast furnace comprising:
 providing a blast furnace plug having a refractory body having a tapered configuration;   securing the blast furnace plug to a tap drill bit;   aligning the blast furnace plug with a tap hole plugged with mud;   inserting the blast furnace plug into the mud;   creating an indentation in the mud having a tapered configuration;   removing the blast furnace plug from the tap drill bit;   aligning the tap drill bit with the indentation; and   tapping the blast furnace.   
     
     
         13 . The method of operating a blast furnace of  claim 12  wherein the tapered configuration is a frusto-conical configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The method of operating a blast furnace of  claim 12  wherein refractory material is a 3100° to 3400° refractory material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of operating a blast furnace of  claim 12  wherein the tapered configuration includes a rounded end. 
     
     
         16 . The method of operating a blast furnace of  claim 12  wherein the tapered configuration includes a pointed end. 
     
     
         17 . A method of stopping a breakout of molten iron from a blast furnace:
 providing a blast furnace plug comprising a tapered body made of refractory material and a connector secured to the body for connecting the blast furnace plug to the end of a tap drill bit;   securing the blast furnace plug to a tap drill bit;   aligning the blast furnace plug with a tap hole during a breakout; and   inserting the blast furnace plug into the tap hole until the molten iron stops flowing out of the tap hole.