Abstract: An impeller for dispersing gas into molten metal includes a rectangular prism body having upper and lower faces and four side walls. The body has an opening extending through the upper and lower faces and defines a hub around the opening on the upper face. The impeller further includes a plurality of elongate grooves extending radially outwardly from the hub.

Abstract: An extraction device is provided for use when extracting a ceramic foam filter, as used for example in the production and processing of aluminum. The extraction device includes an anchor device (1) having an anchor body (2) suitable for driving into the filter, and a screw thread (8) that extends along at least part of the length of the anchor body, for engagement with the filter.

Abstract: A method for the purification of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys, wherein said metal is in a liquid phase and is contacted with a salt flux consisting of a selected tertiary mixture of NaCl, KCl, and MgCl2.

Abstract: A method for the purification of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys, wherein the metal is in a liquid phase and is contacted with a salt flux consisting of a binary mixture of NaCl and MgCl2. Preferably, more than 22% by weight of the binary mixture consists of NaCl.

Abstract: A method for the purification of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and aluminum alloys, wherein said metal is in a liquid phase and is contacted with a salt flux consisting of a binary mixture of NaCl and MgCl2. Preferably, more than 22% by weight of the binary mixture consists of NaCl.

Abstract: A molten metal submergence device includes a submergence chamber, an inlet pipe, and a vortex breaker. The submergence chamber is defined by a side wall and includes an inlet in communication with an associated molten metal bath and an outlet in communication with the associated molten metal bath. The inlet is positioned in relation to the side wall such that material passing through the inlet is introduced at least substantially tangentially to the side wall. The inlet pipe is in communication with the inlet of the submergence chamber. The inlet pipe is configured to depend from a wall of the submergence chamber within the confines of the side wall. The vortex breaker is disposed in the submergence chamber between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A material scrap submergence device comprises a body (10) of heat resistant and/or a refractory material that includes a side wall (12) and a base (14) that define a submergence chamber (10). The refractory body (10) can include passages (24) that receive rods (22). The rods (22) can place the refractory body (10) under compression. In another embodiment, the body is confined by a frame (72) attached to the body. The submergence chamber (10) can also be used as a gas injection chamber.

Abstract: A gas injection tube includes a first end adapted to connect to a reactive gas source and a second end. A tube base attaches to the second end of the gas injection tube. The gas injection tube includes a passageway and the tube base includes a channel. The passageway communicates with the channel to provide gas to a molten metal stream traveling through the channel.

Abstract: A molten material pump includes an impeller housed within a base member of the pump. A plurality of grooves are defined in a peripheral sidewall of the impeller for either drawing a molten material into the base member's chamber or pushing molten material out of the base member's chamber. The impeller is rotated by a rotatable shaft connected to an upper surface of the impeller. The rotatable shaft includes a non-circular shaped lower end dimensioned to be received within a cooperating opening in the impeller. The molten material pump further includes a connecting assembly for interconnecting components of the molten material pump. The connecting assembly includes a first mounting member attached to a first pump component that is dimensioned to be fitted within a cooperating recess of a second mounting member attached to a second pump component. In another embodiment of the invention, a stub shaft connects an upper shaft portion of the shaft to the impeller.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering molten metal held in a vessel before the metal enters the dosing tube. The filtering apparatus includes an attachment portion that mounts to the dosing tube, a filter body connected to the attachment portion and a planar surface attached to an end of the filter body opposite the attachment portion. The filter body can include a beveled end opposite the attachment portion where the planar surface is attached. The apparatus can be made from a bonded-particle material made from silicon carbide or aluminum oxide held together by an aluminum-resistant binder.

Abstract: A molten metal pump system which includes a particle relief passageway between the vanes on the impeller and the pump base, the particle relief passageway being a predetermined size to allow particles of a predetermined size to pass between the plurality of vanes and the interior walls of the impeller aperture of the pump base. Part or all of the particle relief passageway may, but need not, be as a result of a shoulder on the radially outward end of the plurality of vanes in the inlet side of the impeller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a free flowing dry back-up material which comprises: from 67 to 96% by weight of fly-ash; from 2 to 15% by weight of a heat sensitive binder such as boric acid; from 2 to 7% by weight of a non-wetting agent such as calcium fluoride; from 0 to 10% by weight of a heat expandable material, viz. a material expandable as a function of the temperature such as vermiculite or graphite; and from 0 to 1% by weight of a dust suppressant such as kerosene. This material which is useful in particular in the aluminum industry has the advantages of being water free and free flowing, such avoiding the use of vibrator to position it into a shell. It also has a low density and a low thermal conductivity. Moreover, it is organic free as compared to the existing materials which use an organic binder to ensure a low temperature set; and it sets at a temperature lower than 400° F.

Abstract: A molten metal pump shaft coupling system for use in the coupling or connection of elongated shafts to other components and equipment, and for the disconnection thereof. A coupling with internal discontinuous threads may be coupled with an externally threaded shaft, with either continuous or discontinuous threads. Aspects of the invention include multiple external threads which may be pitched to accomplish a quicker and more efficient disconnect system. Furthermore, a shaft removal system is provided which provides two points of contact to assist in rotating a broken shaft end out of a coupling.

Abstract: An impeller system for use in a molten metal pump, the impeller system including a generally cylindrical outer wall with outlets therein, an impeller lid mounted on the impeller walls, the impeller lid including a plurality of inlets, with the shaft being mounted directly into a base, which is mounted relative to the outer wall. The impeller system has an open interior defined by the outer wall, the lid and the base, and the impeller shaft mounts directly into the base without the need for a collar or attachment to the impeller lid.

Abstract: A molten metal pump system which generally provides a refractory connection joint for connecting a refractory pump post to a pump base, the pump post including a refractory post with a first end, the first end including an internal joint peg aperture; a refractory base with a post aperture configured to receive the first end of the refractory post, and with a peg aperture contiguous with the post aperture; and a joint peg with a first end and a second end, the joint peg including a retention shoulder, the joint peg configured to insert through the peg aperture in the refractory base with a retention bar or bolt inserted through an aperture in the joint peg of refractory post, and the retention shoulder engaging the refractory base.

Abstract: A molten metal pump system which generally provides a refractory connection joint for connecting a refractory pump post to a pump base, the pump post including a refractory post with a first end, the first end including an internally threaded joint screw aperture; a refractory base with a post aperture configured to receive the first end of the refractory post, and with a screw aperture contiguous with the post aperture; and a joint screw with a first end and a second end, the joint screw including a threaded external surface and a retention shoulder, the joint screw configured to insert through the screw aperture in the refractory base with the threaded external surface engaging the internally threaded joint screw aperture of the refractory post, and the retention shoulder engaging the refractory base.

Abstract: A metal distribution system for the simultaneous production of a plurality of logs or round billets from molten metal comprising: 1) a trough for the introduction of molten metal; 2) a plurality of side streams extending from the trough and each of the side streams including a plurality of opposing apertures each of the apertures including a thimble for the shaping of molten metal passing through the trough and the side streams and into the thimbles. A uniform flow of molten metal into the side streams and the individual apertures is provided by the controlled negative angular orientation of the most upstream opposing pair of apertures thereby providing relative uniformity of the temperature of molten metal reaching each of the plurality of apertures. A unique unitized thimble configuration and trough damming arrangement are also described.

Abstract: An insulating roll comprising: a metal conduit having an outer peripheral portion; a plurality of discs having outer peripheries and preferably fabricated from an inorganic material positioned axially on and around the metal conduit; a tubular shell having an inner surface about and spaced apart from said outer peripheries; metallic foils extending between each or a plurality of said discs from said outer peripheral portion to and beyond said outer peripheries to the inner surface of said tubular shell, said metallic foils being in interference or frictional contact with said inner surface. A novel method for attaching the tubular shell to the conduit to simplify removal and replacement thereof is also described.

Abstract: An impeller shaft assembly, coupler and molten metal pump are described, in which a coupling member is configured to be secured to a pump drive shaft and includes a socket part that is defined by a socket wall formed about and extending along an axis. The socket wall includes a plurality of coupling shaft engaging surfaces and a plurality of socket corner surfaces joining the shaft engaging surfaces. The socket corner surfaces are disposed radially outward from adjacent shaft engaging surfaces with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A tool or fluxing head for fluxing molten metal that comprises a fluxing gas supply line that communicates with the interior of an inverted plunger cup providing a hollow interior into which refining agents and other additives that are to be introduced into a molten metal can be incorporated. In use, the fluxing head is introduced into a molten metal body with the plunger cup in the inverted position. The inverted plunger cup has a closed top at the point where the gas supply line enters and an open bottom that allows molten metal to enter the inverted cup to make contact with the refining agent or other additive. Apertures are provided in the wall of the inverted plunger cup to allow gas introduced therein to escape therefrom. According to a preferred embodiment, a porous layer is provided at the top of the inverted plunger cup to allow for the escape of gas into the molten metal through the porous layer.