The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

1 ««i IX. THE BESSEMER PLANT. ny/TESSRS. SCHNEIDER and CO. began working two -L’-L 6-ton Converters in 1870, for the manufacture of Bessemer steel. The rapid development in the use of this steel obliged them to put down, in 1872, two more Con- verters of 8 tons each ; and in 1874 two others of the same capacity were constructed. When, in 1879, the Thomas Gilchrist process was intro- duced, Messrs. Schneider and Co. were the first manufac- turers in France to adopt it ; they were, in faet, the pioneers who led the way for other metallurgical works in the east of France, towards the utilisation of the phos- phorous iron-stone which is so largely found in their vicinity. The Basic Process.—The Mazenay iron mines (see It consista of two Converters of 7.5 tons each, placed over a casting pit common to the two vessel. Fig. 78, Plate XIX., gives a good idea of the interiør of the Bessemer converter house. The diameter at the belt is 2.8 metres (9 ft. 2 in.) and the total internal capacity is 9 cubic metres (318 cubic feet), équivalent to 1.2 cubic metres (42.4 cubic feet) per ton of pig iron under treatment. Each converter is in two parts, and the joint is formed a little below the belt, the upper half being fixed in the bearings, and the lower part made moveable. A hydraulic revolving lift placed in the centre of the casting pit, brings the ladle under the mouth of the Con- verters ; the steel is poured into this ladle, and thence Details of Air Cylinders, for Bessemer page 17) have always supplied to the Creusot Works the phosporous ore for the manufacture of the pig iron used in their Bessemer steel plant. The nature of the converter lining, which formée! a special feature of the Basic process, was minutely described by the inventors ; but when the process came into the bands of Messrs. Schneider and Co. much remained to be done before it could be regarded as continuons and wholly satisfactory. A long and careful series of investigations were made, and as a result Messrs. Schneider and Co. decided to form the converter lining of a mortar formée! of roasted and crushed dolomite, mixed with coal tar. This gave excellent efficiency, and all the other steel works using the basic process subsequently adopted this method. Of the three groups above mentioned, each consisting of two Converters, only one is in use at the present time. Blowing Engine. into ingot moulds placed around on a circular platform. All the labour is performed by two 20-ton quick-action hydraulic crânes. Owing to the way in which each Converter is dismantled for repairs, crânes of this power were necessary. The converter is fitted with magnesia tuyeres, around which dolomite mortar is rammed. These tuyeres are manufacturée! at the Perreuil Brick Works (see page 19). j The dolomite employée! is found in abundance at short distances from Creusot. The lower half of the converter i tlius prepared, lasts, on an average, for 60 heats ; some have withstood as many as 90 heats. The lining of the upper, or fixed part, of the converter lasts, as a rule, 140 heats. Blowing Engines.—The blowing engines which supply air to the Converters are of a horizontal non-condensing