Abstract: A vertical shaft furnace for and a method of efficiently melting aluminum and aluminum alloys substantially completely by convection is disclosed. The vertical shaft furnace has a generally cylindrical cross-section with a refractory liner and a cast refractory hearth having a concave, generally conical shape. A plurality of downwardly inclined burners are provided in the walls of the furnace arranged in such a way as to prevent the high velocity burner flame from blowing the aluminum material to be melted across the furnace and into burners on the opposite furnace wall.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 10, 1986
Date of Patent:
July 4, 1989
Assignee:
Southwire Company
Inventors:
David Barnes, Joseph A. Bass, John D. Butler, Robert H. McKenzie