FIELD: ferrous metallurgy, particularly, constructions of steel melting converters and their operation methods. SUBSTANCE: converter 4 includes walls 3 having outer metallic casing 7 of refractory lining 8,9. Opening 1 in cone portion of wall 3 is designed for inserting to working space of converter 4 tuyere, probe and/or probe for sampling with metallic jacket 14 in its upper portion and metallic facing 16 in its lower portion at side of working space. Metallic facing 16 is joined with means for supplying gas to opening 1 whose upper portion 12 at side of metallic casing 7 narrows until portion corresponding to central zone of refractory lining 8,9 and its lower portion 13 widens to side of working space of converter. Both portions 12,13 of opening 1 are continuously cooled during working cycle of converter. At oxygen blowing metallic jacket 14 of narrowed portion of said opening is additionally cooled. EFFECT: improved design of converter, simplified operation process. 16 cl, 5 dwg
