Abstract: The present invention relates to a dimensionally stable oxygen-evolving anode for use in an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium. The anode comprises of a container made from an alloy comprising aluminium and at least one metal more noble than aluminium; a fluid bath in the bottom of the container having the ability to dissolve aluminium, said fluid having a density that is higher than the density of molten aluminium at the operating temperature of the cell, a pool of molten aluminium floating on top of the fluid bath in the bottom of the container; a refractory layer arranged on the inner sidewalls of the container at least in the area of the pool of molten aluminium, said refractory layer protecting the molten aluminium from contacting the inner sidewalls of the container.

Abstract: The electrode arrangement uses vertically oriented electrodes with side wall contacts for an electrothermic smelting furnace for aluminum production. The side wall contacts are radially moveable into the furnace to compensate for wear on the contacts. The side wall contacts can be hollow to allow a slag forming charge to be fed to the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for carbothermic production of aluminum where molten bath aluminum carbide and aluminum oxide are produced in a low temperature compartment (2), and continuously flow into a high temperature compartment (3) where the aluminum carbide is reacted with alumina to produce a top aluminum layer (31), where the aluminum layer (31) forms a layer on the top of a molten slag layer and is tapped from the high temperature compartment (3) at outlet (5), and where off-gases from the two compartments are treated in reactors fed by one or more columns (9, 19). According to the invention the low temperature compartment (2) and the high temperature compartment (3) are located in a common reaction vessel (1) where the low temperature compartment is separated from the high temperature compartment by an underflow partition wall (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of zinc-containing by-products and waste materials from primary and secondary production of nonferrous metals and especially zinc- and leadcontaining slags from the production of lead. The by-products and the waste materials are supplied to a gastight closed electric smelting furnace in which the materials are melted and subjected to a selective metallothermic reduction in order to reduce and volatilize zinc and other volatile metals. Elemental sulphur and/or sulphur compounds are added to the smelting furnace in an amount sufficient to form a sulphide phase containing one or more of the elements Cu, Ni, Pb, As, Bi, Sb and Ag. An inert slag phase and the sulphide phase are tapped from the furnace, and zinc and other volatile metals are recovered from the off-gas from the furnace by condensation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering zinc from zinc-containing materials, especially from zinc-containing materials recovered from waste gases in metallurgical smelting processes. Particulate zinc-containing materials are agglomerated together with a carbonaceous reduction material and optionally slag forming materials, and are supplied to a gas tight closed electrothermic smelting furnace containing a molten bath kept at a temperature between 1200.degree. and 1700.degree. C. in which the agglomerates are smelted and subjected to selective reduction and volatilization of zinc and other volatile metals. An inert slag phase and optionally a liquid metal phase are tapped from the smelting furnace, and zinc and other volatile metals are recovered from the waste gas from the smelting furnace by condensation. In order to prevent reoxidation of metallic zinc the particulate zinc-containing materials are agglomerated together with a carbonaceous binder which cracks at a temperature below 700.

Abstract: The method for treating the dust entails the following steps:(a) supplying a combination of dust, a reducing agent and flux to a gastight electrothermic smelting furnace,(b) smelting, reducing and volatilizing certain metals in the smelting furnace,(c) tapping of an inert slag phase and a liquid metal phase from the smelting furnace,(d) continuous removal from the smelting furnace of a gas phase containing chiefly CO-gas, metal fumes, sulphur, chlorides and fluorides together with entrained unreacted dust,(e) further treatment of the gas phase.The process produces an inert slag phase which can be safely deposited in a landfill. The process also allows for recovery of valuable metal components from the dust.

Abstract: The method for treating the dust entails the following steps:(a) supplying a combination of dust, a reducing agent and flux to a gastight electrothermic smelting furnace,(b) smelting, reducing and volatilizing certain metals in the smelting furnace,(c) tapping of an inert slag phase and a liquid metal phase from the smelting furnace,(d) continuous removal from the smelting furnace of a gas phase containing chiefly CO-gas, metal fumes, sulphur, chlorides and fluorides together with entrained unreacted dust,(e) further treatment of the gas phase.The process produces an inert slag phase which can be safely deposited in a landfill. The process also allows for recovery of valuable metal components from the dust.

Abstract: A method of treating ash and dust from incineration plants. The ash and dush are coprocessed by mixing one or more hazardous wastes and/or metallic scraps therewith. The mixture is supplied to a smelting furnace together with a reducing agent.

Abstract: A sidewall for a metallurgical smelting furnace is disclosed. The sidewall is made from a refractory material; an evaporation cooling panel; and a convection cooling panel. The refractory material faces the interior of the furnace. A slot is formed between the evaporation cooling panel and the refractory material such that the convection cooling panel is positioned therebetween. The evaporation cooling panel and the convection cooling panel work together to cool the sidewall of the metallurgical smelting furnace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a means for charging liquid slag to a closed smelting furnace. The means for charging liquid slag comprises a double walled tube extending through an opening in the furnace roof, said tube being connected to means for raising and lowering the tube relatively to the furnace roof. Means for gas tight sealing are provided between the furnace roof and the double walled tube. A funnel shaped part is secured to the upper end of the tube, said funnel shaped part being equipped with a closeable lid for gas tight closing of the funnel shaped part. For charging of liquid slag to the furnace the tube is lowered down into the furnace to such an extent that the lower end of the tube is under the slag level in the furnace, whereafter the lid is opened and liquid slag is charged into the furnace. When charging of liquid slag is finished, the lid is closed and the tube is raised to such an extent that the lower end of the tube is above the slag level in the furnace.