Patents Examined by Melvyn J. Andrews
  • Patent number: 5401295
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for smelting reduction of metal ores involving a combination process wherein the metal ores are partly reduced in one or more stages and then completely reduced to metal in a melt-down reactor. The combination process comprises at least three process units, and the melt-down reactor forms one process unit. The partial reduction of the metal ores is performed in at least two further process units. A different waste gas is produced in each of these at least three process units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl Brotzmann
  • Patent number: 5401294
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for de-metallization of metal-containing residues, dross, slags and the like that accumulate during thermal processes in metallurgical and scrap metal reclamation processes which consists of that the metal/non-metal phase mixture is fed into a centrifuge mold at a temperature within the mentioned temperature range or after having been fed into it is brought to the temperature mentioned, there in a first process phase, while maintaining the temperature within the mentioned range, it is subjected to radial acceleration for a specified time until a required degree of de-metallization is achieved and that in a second phase of the process by maintaining the radial acceleration by means of rotation at least the metallic phase, separated and removed from the phase mixture and arranged on the outside periphery is brought to solidification or setting by lowering its temperature, after which the metal phase when reaching the handling temperature is removed as at least one body whose out
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventors: Bernd Kos, Harald Marhold
  • Patent number: 5399203
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of cleaning an oil-deposited material, which comprises cleaning a material having oils deposited on the surface thereof with a cleaning agent comprising 25 to 90% by weight of at least one of compounds selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidones, .gamma.-butyrolactone and N,N-dimethylacetamide, and 10 to 75% by weight of water, then eliminating at least a portion of the deposited cleaning agent from said material to be cleaned by a physical means, and then applying water-washing with water, steam or water and steam; an apparatus for cleaning an oil-deposited materialhaving oils deposited on the surface thereof; and a cleaning agent therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Kasei Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Ishikawa, Tetsuhiro Yamauchi, Kazunari Takahashi, Soichi Orita, Tetsuo Asanuma, Noboru Ueki, Masayuki Hattori, Satoshi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5399204
    Abstract: A machine for removing oil, dirt and grinding debris from a metal surface comprises a plurality of wash, rinse and dry stations separated to prevent contamination carryover from one station to the next. Razor blades in stacks are passed through the stations, the stacked blades being mounted on rods supported by a fixture and the nozzles or jets within the machine being so oriented as to cause a riffling of the blades due to water or air pressure. A purified water rinse and preferably an aqueous cleaning solution are employed in the machine and are circulated through the stations by a flow system which provides efficient and economical usage of the cleaning solution and rinse materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Theodore J. Campo, Donald R. Chaulk, William J. Felton, Manohar S. Grewal, John A. Hindley, John F. Krantz, Mark D. Lincoln, Kevin P. McDonough, James W. Walsh
  • Patent number: 5399205
    Abstract: A method for cleansing and lustering a surface comprises spraying on the surface a cleansing-lustering agent essentially consisting of lanolin and an O/W emulsion composed of an emulsifying agent, a silicone oil and water thereby depositing a foamed mass of the cleansing-lustering agent on said surface and allowing the foamed mass to defoam spontaneously after a prescribed period of standing and cleanse the surface. A foaming cleansing-lustering agent is disclosed which essentially consists of lanolin and an O/W emulsion composed of an emulsifying agent, a silicone oil and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Taiho Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seigo Shinohara, Kiyoshi Okamura, Tetsuo Kijima
  • Patent number: 5397377
    Abstract: An improved process for treating a body of molten metal is disclosed wherein a rotating impeller is used to disperse treatment media in the body. The process comprises the steps of providing a body of molten metal to be treated, the body having an upper region and a lower region, and providing an impeller on a shaft in said body. Treatment media is added to the body and the impeller is rotated to disperse the treatment media in the body. During the process of treating the body, the impeller is moved periodically between the lower portion and the upper portion of the molten metal body to reduce vorticity therein and to improve dispersion of the treatment media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Inventor: C. Edward Eckert
  • Patent number: 5397376
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for both disposing of an environmentally undesirable material comprising petroleum coke and the sulfur and heavy metals contained therein and of providing fuel for a process of making molten iron or steel preproducts and reduction gas in a melter gasifier having an upper fuel charging end, a reduction gas discharging end, a lower molten metal and slag collection end, and means providing an entry for charging ferrous material into the melter gasifier; introducing petroleum coke into the melter gasifier at the upper fuel charging end; blowing oxygen-containing gas into the petroleum coke to form at least a first fluidized bed of coke particles from the petroleum coke; introducing ferrous material into the melter gasifier through the entry means, reacting petroleum coke, oxygen and particulate ferrous material to combust the major portion of the petroleum coke to produce reduction gas and molten iron or steel preproducts containing heavy metals freed from combustion of the petrole
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Bechtel Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard B. Greenwalt
  • Patent number: 5397109
    Abstract: A vertical shaft furnace for melting non-ferrous metals, such as copper, aluminum, and their alloys, includes metal blocks disposed in an annular wall just beneath the charging section of the furnace. Preheated air is forced into the furnace shaft through openings in the wall of metal blocks to burn or oxidize substantially all the CO gas contained in the combustion gases rising from the melting chamber of the furnace. A pressurized plenum surrounding the shaft adjacent the charge opening is used to preheat ambient air which is then supplied under pressure to another plenum above the melting chamber where the preheated air is introduced into the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Thomas N. Wilson, Milton E. Berry, John D. Butler, Thomas H. Crumbley, Peter W. Ware
  • Patent number: 5397104
    Abstract: A dross compression apparatus utilizes a substantially hemispheric shaped receptacle in a dross collector and a complementing compression head which is provided with ribs to form grooves in the material formed between the head and the receptacle. The material formed between the head and the receptacle is substantially a shell comprised of an inner layer of aluminum oxide and outer layers of aluminum. The grooves in the shell enable the material to be more easily processed as the shell is readily broken for crushing. The compression head may be applied more than once to the aluminum dross and may be rotated between applications causing multiple grooves and increased decanting of aluminum. The compression head is provided with a water cooling system which more rapidly cools the aluminum dross and reduces the thermite reaction. The cast steel compression head reduces the air flow to the cooling dross thereby reducing the amount of oxygen available, oxidation and the thermite reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Altek International
    Inventor: David Roth
  • Patent number: 5395423
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of melting a metal. In a melting furnace, a metallic material is melted by heating it directly with the flame from a fuel burner using an oxygen gas having a purity of 60 to 100% as a combustion assisting gas. Meanwhile, the combustion assisting gas is heated before it is fed to the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Suwa, Nobuaki Kobayashi, Naoji Konno
  • Patent number: 5393489
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lead-free, high solidus temperature, high Sn alloy. The solder alloys contain in excess of 90 weight percent Sn, and an effective amount of Ag and Bi, optionally with Sb or with Sb and Cu. Another form of the alloy contains Ag and Sb, optionally with Bi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen G. Gonya, James K. Lake, Randy C. Long, Roger N. Wild
  • Patent number: 5390900
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a metal strip, the apparatus having a header that receives and directs a curtain of water across the strip, a water collector on one side of the curtain of water and a source of air on the opposite side of the curtain of water arranged to direct a flow of air across the curtain of water and divert water into the water collector. A deflector is arranged to interrupt at least a portion of the flow of air such that at least a portion of the wall of water contacts and cools the strip of metal. The flow of air is provided at a pressure of about 50 to 100 psi and, with the flow of air completely blocked by a deflector, the strip of metal is cooled completely across the width of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventor: Vladimir B. Ginzburg
  • Patent number: 5391217
    Abstract: A method for eliminating mercury from mercury containing liquids by contacting the mercury-containing liquid with a plurality of fibers wherein the fibers making up the plurality of fibers have a coating of silver on the surface of the fibers, and a silver-coated fiber for use in the method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Huels Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Guenter Zoche
  • Patent number: 5389124
    Abstract: An efficient method is proposed for the recovery of gold value from a waste material containing scrap gold by utilizing a principle that metallic gold can be dissolved at elevated temperatures and specifically precipitated at low temperatures with good reversibility in and out of a specific unique liquid medium which is an organic solvent, e.g., acetonitrile, containing an ionic compound of a first halogen, e.g., quaternary ammonium halides, and an elementary form of a second halogen each in a specified concentration, of which at least either one of the first and second halogens is iodine. Namely, a gold-containing waste material is contacted at a high temperature with the liquid medium to have the gold value dissolved therein and the gold-containing solution is then cooled to a low temperature so that the gold value can be recovered in the form of precipitates in a high purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Japan, as represented by Director General of Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventor: Yukimichi Nakao
  • Patent number: 5386974
    Abstract: A method for treating gases and solids in a fluid bed, the fluid bed reactor substantially comprising, regarded downstream, a mixing chamber, a riser pipe and a cyclone with a solids return pipe to the mixing chamber, the gases being introduced into the mixing chamber at a gas rate immediately before the inlet port of the mixing chamber of more than 35 m/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignees: Hismelt Corporation Pty Limited, A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hardie, John M. Ganser, Ian D. Webb, Timo Hyppanen, Kari Myohanen, Ismo Nopanen
  • Patent number: 5387274
    Abstract: A process for converting iron oxide to iron carbide at low pressure includes providing a reforming-reduction-carburizing reactor wherein a feed gas is reformed by contact with the iron oxide materials, the iron oxide material is reduced and thereafter contacted with a carburizing agent so as to carry out the conversion of iron oxide to iron carbide in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: C.V.G. Siderurgica Del Orinoco, C.A.
    Inventors: Oscar G. Dam G., Henry R. Bueno C.
  • Patent number: 5387273
    Abstract: A process for removing copper in a recoverable form from a copper/solid ferrous scrap metal mix is disclosed. The process begins by placing a copper/solid ferrous scrap metal mix into a reactor vessel. The atmosphere within the reactor vessel is purged with an inert gas or oxidizing while the reactor vessel is heated in the area of the copper/solid ferrous scrap metal mix to raise the temperature within the reactor vessel to a selected elevated temperature. Air is introduced into the reactor vessel and thereafter hydrogen chloride is introduced into the reactor vessel to obtain a desired air-hydrogen chloride mix. The air-hydrogen chloride mix is operable to form an oxidizing and chloridizing atmosphere which provides a protective oxide coating on the surface of the solid ferrous scrap metal in the mix and simultaneously oxidizes/chloridizes the copper in the mix to convert the copper to a copper monochloride gas for transport away from the solid ferrous scrap metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventors: Alan D. Hartman, Laurance L. Oden, Jack C. White
  • Patent number: 5385602
    Abstract: A process for agglomerating by extrusion, metallurgical by-products and waste products having small particle size, is described. A blend of metallurgical by-products, some of which contain silicates previously treated at high temperatures and thereby being capable of chemically and structurally binding water, optionally mixed with portland cement and/or slag cement, and containing water which has been added in amounts that the silicates and cement present can completely absorb and react with, is further mixed with a hydrocarbonaceous substance. The resulting mixture is subsequently agglomerated by extrusion. The extrudates obtained are shape retaining and sufficiently hard to be handled without breaking, crumbling or dusting, and may be charged to extractive pyrometallurgical installations for recovering value metals contained in the metallurgical by-products and waste products. The extrudates may also be stored without dusting and loss of hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Southwind Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Keough, Gregory J. Saunders, Neil L. Smith, Mark Stratychuk
  • Patent number: 5385601
    Abstract: An indirect plasma-arc processor for aluminum dross is disclosed. The process involves melting aluminum dross in the presence of a flux in a furnace equipped with one or more arc-forming electrodes, wherein the arc is formed with a gas, such as argon. Molten oxides are removed from time to time, and the volatiles are removed via off-gas ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Francis L. Kemeny, David J. Sosinsky, Robert J. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 5385617
    Abstract: An ultralow yield strength steel consisting of: from 0.01 to 0.25 wt % of hexagonal boron nitride particles having an average diameter of from 1 to 30 .mu.m; and the balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushi Hamada, Kazushige Tokuno