Abstract: In the feeding of molten metal from a container therefor, e.g., a storage basin, a furnace or a crucible, to a chamber, e.g., an injection cylinder or a dispensing chamber, having an electromagnetic pump partially immersed in the container, the outlet of the pump being connected by a feedline to the chamber, the molten metal is metered by apparatus comprising a detachable ascending control pipeline connected to the feed pipeline, an electromagnetic presence detector arranged to detect molten metal in the control pipeline at the level of the filling height of the chamber, and a progressive voltage generator connected in series with the electrical circuit of the pump and including a starter circuit and a stop circuit to which the presence detector is connected.

Abstract: The pump is contained in a refractory block which is plunged into a melt of molten metal to be pumped. An electric current is induced to flow in the molten metal along a straight horizontal conduit in the block and the circuit is closed by the current flowing around the refractory block, within the melt. A magnetic field is induced horizontally at right angles to the current and a net upward pumping force is generated. By having only a part of the electric current circuit inside the refractory block it is relatively easy to clean out slag deposits after prolonged use.