Abstract: An apparatus and method for production of refractory metal from a chloride thereof, comprising a conversion assembly and a purification assembly, the former in turn comprising: an elongated vertical cylindrical member with an open top and a closed bottom, another cylindrical member open at each end but having a grid plate detachably supported at a bottom thereof, said cylindrical members consisting of axially arranged outer and inner vessels, respectively, an annular top cover joined on respective upper ends of said outer and inner vessels, a closure joined over a central bore of said top cover, a furnace means surrounding said outer vessel, a tube means which extends through the closure into the inner vessel for feeding raw chloride, another tube means which opens in the outer vessel at a bottom thereof and extends along a wall thereof outwards for discharging fluids, and a means for evacuation and introduction of inert gas; while the purification assembly comprising: an elongated vertical cylindrical retort

Abstract: An improved apparatus for preparation of high-melting-point high-toughness metals comprising a reaction chamber in which a halide of said metal is reacted with an active metal and the remaining active metal and the produced active metal halide are vaporized and a condensation chamber in which vapors of the remaining active metal and the active metal halide are condensed is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber and a condensation chamber as described above both of which are provided with a neck having a passage-closing means of the seal pot structure, and the two chambers are placed in parallel in the upright position and are connected with a horizontal connecting duct.

Abstract: A process for recovering a metal in its elemental state from an oxide or salt of the metal comprising passing the metal oxide or salt and a reducing gas concurrently downward through a packed bed at a temperature above the melting point of the metal in its elemental state.

Abstract: A horizontal furnace for converting nonferrous metal sulfide concentrates to a molten matte has a plurality of vertically disposed burners along the longitudinal axis of the furnace roof, the burners spaced from each other, means for introducing oxygen-rich gas to said burners, and means for introducing metal sulfide concentrates and flux into the furnace, with the spaced burners introducing the same into the hot atmosphere of the furnace as a plurality of paraboloidal suspensions whereby substantially uniform heat and mass distribution is effected over a major portion of the horizontal furnace.

Abstract: Ore taken from the group consisting of low-grade manganese ore ferromanganese ore and chromium ore is reduced in an electric arc furnace having two melting zones divided by a barrier. Ore and a small quantity of carbon are melted in the first zone and ore and a larger proportion of carbon are melted in the second zone. The molten metal product in the first zone forms a pool below a molten layer of slag having a high content of metal above which is disposed unmelted ore and carbon. The slag layer is flowed over the barrier to the second zone for enriching a second charge of ore and carbon therein. Depending upon the type of ore being reduced, a first molten product such as iron or high-grade ferromanganese is tapped from the first zone and a second molten product such as high-grade ferromanganese, high-grade ferrochromium or silicomanganese is tapped from the second zone. The barrier may be formed of carbon covered by a surface layer of titanium carbide.

Abstract: A process for the production of aluminium in two steps:2Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 +9C=Al.sub.4 C.sub.3 +6CO (ii)andAl.sub.4 C.sub.3 +Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 =6Al+3CO (iii)Reaction (ii) takes place in a materials addition chamber and reaction (iii) in a high temperature chamber. Slag is circulated between the chambers via conduits by the action of gas generated in reaction (iii) in the conduits. Aluminium production in the high temperature chamber and slag circulation rate are independently controllable by the provision of independent heat sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing molten iron in which pulverized coal is gasified with oxygen in an iron melting chamber, iron pellets on an upstanding hearth in the melting chamber are exposed to the gasification heat and melted. Molten iron trickles down from the hearth to a surrounding liquid bath. Off-gases from the chamber are utilized for direct reduction of iron oxide pellets to produce hot reduced iron pellets which are melted in the chamber.

Abstract: In a apparatus for the production of aluminium a molten alumina slag, containing combined carbon is circulated through one or more alternately arranged relatively low temperature zones where carbon is added to increase the combined carbon content of the slag by reaction with the alumina slag and high temperature zones where aluminium metal is released by reaction of aluminium carbide and alumina in the slag with consequent depletion of the combined carbon content. Alumina is supplied to the slag at one or more locations. The energy to drive the reactions is preferably supplied by resistance heating of the slag particularly in transit from a low temperature zone to a high temperature zone although usually additional energy is supplied to the slag in the return from a high temperature zone to the next low temperature zone.In most instances the aluminium-liberating reaction is carried out in an upwardly inclined passage and the gas evolved is employed to achieve the circulatory movement of the slag.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for refining platinum group metal concentrates and the separation therefrom of silver and of the majority of base metals which are present with them. In more detail, the apparatus comprises means for reacting together gaseous hydrogen and chlorine so as to produce a flame and means for passing into the reaction zone of the said flame the said mineral concentrate in finely divided particulate form.The apparatus comprises a tubular burner having a hydrogen-chlorine flame discharging into an inner heat resistant tube, means for the passage of the said mineral concentrates in particulate form through the reaction zone of the hydrogen chlorine flame, means for maintaining the reaction zone of the flame at a temperature within the range 900.degree. C. to 2500.degree. C. and means for scrubbing the reaction products after passage through the flame with an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The blast furnace in the present invention comprises a V-shaped or an inclined hearth, tuyeres disposed along said hearth, a tap hole for discharging matte and/or slag, said tap hole being disposed at the lowest part of the hearth, and dampers having V-shaped or inclined fore end, each of said dampers being disposed to agree with said tuyeres. The present blast furnace, when employed for smelting by feeding briquetted Zn bearing materials as the material thereto and blowing preheated air therein through the tuyeres disposed along the hearth, displays an improved smelting efficiency in separating and recovering volatile valuable metals and non-volatile valuable metals.