Method of stirring dispersing or homogenizing metal or slag charges having a temperature of at least 800deg. c

A molten metal and/or slag charge at a temperature of at least 800 DEG C. contained in a ladle 1 is stirred by a stirrer 2 rotated by a driven shaft 3 and having a substantially vertical tubular portion with at least one substantially horizontal tubular stirring arm attached to the upper part. Material is caused to flow out of the horizontal arms at a velocity of up to 5 metres/sec. by centrifugal force and is replaced by material flowing in at the bottom of the vertical tube ; the path of the material within the stirrer is at least 15% of the sum of the mean height and mean diameter of the charge. There may be additional inlets in the walls of the vertical tubular portion of the stirrer above or below the horizontal arm(s). The ladle has a lid 6 and seals 7, 8 whereby an increased or reduced pressure or special atmoshere may be maintained above the charge. For a charge of 20 tons, the tube diameter of the stirrer may be 150 mm. and its wall thickness and radii of curvature at least 10 mm.; its normal speed will be 60 r.p.m. with a maximum of 500 r.p.m. For stirring iron the stirrer may be made of graphite; chamotte, or at higher temperatures sillimanite, may be used with steel.