Abstract: A chemically linked catalyst-binder hydrogel material comprised of a water-insoluble chemical hydrogel is useful in, for example, fuel cells, batteries, electrochemical supercapacitors, semi-fuel cells etc. The water-insoluble chemical hydrogel is prepared by a chemical cross-linking reaction between a polymer (such as PVA or chitosan or gelatin) and an aqueous cross-linking agent such as glutaraldehyde, which is catalyzed by protic acid under ambient conditions of temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of metal. The flow of molten metal is altered to eliminate or reduce the transfer of entrained mold flux slag and non-metallic particles to the vicinity of solidifying metal near the mold walls, thereby resulting in significantly reduced sliver and related defects. Flow modifier members are placed such that their larger surface is more aligned with the larger dimension of the interior volume of the vessel in which the member is placed. In a particular form, the members may be shaped as rectangular plates and placed substantially parallel to the longer interior wall of the vessel.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a molten metal vessel system for casting molten metal, the system comprising: (a) a vessel containing a molten metal adapted to contain and dispense the molten metal for casting, the vessel having interior surfaces and the molten metal forming an upper surface; (b) a submerged entry nozzle extending below the upper surface; and (c) a surface and/or a submerged flow modifier member disposed between at least one of the interior surfaces and the submerged entry nozzle. The surface and/or submerged flow modifiers work to impede the formation of waves in the upper surface of the molten metal. The present invention also includes a method for improving the quality of a continuous casting process.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a molten metal vessel system for casting molten metal, the system comprising: (a) a vessel containing a molten metal adapted to contain and dispense the molten metal for casting, the vessel having interior surfaces and the molten metal forming an upper surface; (b) a submerged entry nozzle extending below the upper surface; and (c) a surface flow modifier member disposed between at least one of the interior surfaces and the submerged entry nozzle, and in sufficient proximity to the upper surface of the molten metal so as to impede the formation of waves in the upper surface of the molten metal. The present invention also includes a method of providing a flow of molten metal for continuous casting.

Abstract: A nozzle for guiding molten metal flowing from a vessel into a mould, the nozzle comprising a conduit which is elongate along an axis which is oriented substantially vertically during use, the nozzle having at least one upper inlet, at least two lower outlets which are inclined to the axis, and at least one lower outlet located generally axially between the inclined outlets, the minimum combined cross-sectional area of the inclined outlets being at least twice as great as the minimum combined cross-sectional area of the one or more generally axially located outlets.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a molten metal vessel system for casting molten metal, the system comprising: (a) a vessel containing a molten metal adapted to contain and dispense the molten metal for casting, the vessel having interior surfaces and the molten metal forming an upper surface; (b) a submerged entry nozzle extending below the upper surface; and (c) a surface and/or a submerged flow modifier member disposed between at least one of the interior surfaces and the submerged entry nozzle. The surface and/or submerged flow modifiers work to impede the formation of waves in the upper surface of the molten metal. The present invention also includes a method for improving the quality of a continuous casting process.

Abstract: The invention relates to the application of an electric potential to a mixture of molten metal droplets, molten salts, and optionally certain fluoride salt additives, whereby the molten metal migrates toward one of the electrodes. The migration encourages increased coalescence of the droplets into larger particles, whereby increased recovery of the metal from the mixture is achieved.

Abstract: A furnace for preheating and homogenizing aluminum ingots prior to hot rolling same wherein the heating efficiency is improved thus reducing the time required to heat the ingots to the homogenizing temperature. The furnace comprises an elongated housing having a ceiling, a floor and a pair of side walls extending from the floor to the ceiling for defining a chamber which is divided into an upper fan section and a lower ingot heating section. A plurality of fans are disposed in the upper fan section for circulating hot gases to the ingot heating section of the chamber. Baffles are associated with the side walls of the furnace for directing the hot gases toward the lower portion of the ingot heating section so as to cause the hot gases to flow between the ingots to be heated so as to contact the entire side wall surfaces thereof improving heating efficiency.