Abstract: A circulating apparatus for circulating the body of molten metal within an associated furnace is provided. The circulating apparatus includes a molded body with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are aligned with corresponding openings on the associated furnace. The inlet and the outlet define a flow chamber within the molded body. An inductor is secured to a portion of the molded body. The inductor is configured to pump molten metal from the associated furnace and into the flow chamber. A flow channel is spaced from the inlet and the outlet on the molded body. A dam assembly is positioned adjacent the outlet. The dam assembly is movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the outlet. The molten fluid flows back into the associated furnace when the dam assembly is in the raised position and the molten fluid flows to the flow channel when the dam assembly is in the lowered position.

Abstract: To provide a technique that reliably and quickly melts conductive metal, there is provided a conductive metal melting method including: rotating a magnetic field device formed of a permanent magnet, which includes a permanent magnet, about a vertical axis near a driving flow channel of a flow channel that includes an inlet through which conductive molten metal flows into the flow channel from the outside and an outlet through which the molten metal is discharged to the outside and includes a vortex chamber provided between the driving flow channel provided on an upstream side and an outflow channel provided on a downstream side, and moving lines of magnetic force of the permanent magnet while the lines of magnetic force of the permanent magnet pass through the molten metal present in the driving flow channel; allowing the molten metal to flow into the vortex chamber by an electromagnetic force generated with the movement to generate the vortex of the molten metal in the vortex chamber into which the raw mater

Abstract: An molten metal stirring device is provided, including a main bath that includes a furnace main body including a storage chamber; and a stirring unit that drives and stirs the molten metal stored in the furnace main body, the stirring unit including a passage member that includes a molten metal passage, the rotating-shifting magnetic field unit main body including a permanent magnet and being provided outside the passage member, the furnace main body including a molten metal outlet and inlet formed in a side wall and in communication with each other, at least a pair of electrodes are provided in the molten metal passage, and molten metal present in the molten metal passage is driven toward the molten metal outlet by a resultant driving force of first and second electromagnetic forces according to Fleming's rule.

Abstract: A method of controlling molten metal flow and an electromagnetic brake system for a metal-making process, including: a first magnetic core arrangement having a first and second long sides with Nc teeth, and arranged to be mounted to opposite longitudinal sides of an upper portion of a mould, a first set of coils, each being wound around a respective tooth of the first magnetic core arrangement, and Np power converters, with Np being an integer that is at least two and Nc is an integer that is at least four and evenly divisible with Np, wherein each power converter is configured to feed a DC current to its respective group of 2Nc/Np series-connected coils.

Abstract: In a continuous casting apparatus 100 for casting a stainless steel billet 3c, a long nozzle 2 extending into a tundish 101 is provided at a ladle 1 for pouring a molten stainless steel 3 in the ladle 1 into the tundish 101. Further, a nitrogen gas 4 is supplied as a seal gas around the molten stainless steel 3 in the tundish 101, and continuous casting of the stainless steel billet 3c is performed, in which, while immersing the spout 2a of the long nozzle 2 into the molten stainless steel 3 in the tundish 101, the molten stainless steel 3 is poured through the long nozzle 2 into the tundish 101 and the molten stainless steel 3 in the tundish 101 is poured into a casting mold 105.

Abstract: A method is provided for extracting hydrogen from lithium hydride. The method includes (a) heating lithium hydride to form liquid-phase lithium hydride; (b) extracting hydrogen from the liquid-phase lithium hydride, leaving residual liquid-phase lithium metal; (c) hydriding the residual liquid-phase lithium metal to form refined lithium hydride; and repeating steps (a) and (b) on the refined lithium hydride.

Abstract: In a continuous casting device 100 for casting a stainless steel billet 3c, a long nozzle 2 extending into a tundish 101 is provided at a ladle 1. A molten stainless steel 3 is poured through the long nozzle 2 into the tundish 101, and a spout 2a of the long nozzle 2 is immersed into the poured molten stainless steel 3. During pouring, an argon gas 4a is supplied around the molten stainless steel 3 in the tundish 101. Further, continuous casting is performed, in which, while immersing the spout 2a of the long nozzle 2 into the molten stainless steel 3 in the tundish 101, the molten stainless steel 3 is poured from the ladle 1 into the tundish 101 and poured from the tundish 101 into a casting mold 105. During casting, a nitrogen gas 4b is supplied instead of the argon gas 4a around the molten stainless steel 3 inside the tundish 101.

Abstract: A melt circulating drive device mounted on a side wall of a main bath and driven to agitate nonferrous metal melt present in a melt storage room storing nonferrous metal melt of the main bath. The melt circulating drive device includes a melt drive tank, a melt drive unit, and a partition plate. The melt drive tank includes a hermetically-sealed drive chamber including an opening allowing the drive chamber to communicate with the melt storage room, and the melt drive tank stores melt, which flows from the opening, in the drive chamber. The melt drive unit includes a permanent magnet unit rotated about a first up and down axis while making magnetic lines of force up and down pass through the melt, and a drive unit for the permanent magnet unit that rotates the melt, about the first up and down axis by rotationally driving the permanent magnet unit.

Abstract: The agitator includes a furnace body that includes a molten metal room, and an agitating unit that agitates molten metal stored in the furnace body. The agitating unit includes a molten-metal driving room-forming part that applies a driving force to the molten metal, and forms a driving room of which both ends are opened; a pair of electrodes that is disposed in the driving room and makes current flow in the driving room under the presence of the molten metal; and a magnetic field unit which is formed of a permanent magnet disposed outside the furnace body, of which one pole of an N pole and an S pole faces the furnace body so that magnetic lines of force generated from the one pole cross the current, and which generates an electromagnetic three for driving the molten metal from one end toward the other end in the driving room.

Abstract: A metal melting furnace includes: a furnace body including a storage space storing molten metal; a vortex chamber body including a vortex chamber communicating with the storage space, the vortex chamber body including a partition plate serving as a drop weir uprightly formed inside the vortex chamber, the partition plate disposed at a communication side with respect to the storage space in the vortex chamber so that the longitudinal direction of the partition plate follows the communication direction and divides the communication side to form first and second vortex chamber openings positioned at both sides of the partition plate and communicating with both the storage space and the vortex chamber; and a molten metal whirling gap formed between a front end portion of the partition plate positioned inside of the vortex chamber in the longitudinal direction and an inner wall of the vortex chamber body facing the front end portion.

Abstract: A metal melting furnace vortex chamber body having a vortex chamber capable of communicating with a storage space of a furnace body having the storage space storing molten metal. The metal melting furnace vortex chamber body has a drop weir part which switches a communication state and an interruption state between the storage space and the vortex chamber. The drop weir part includes a blind drop weir and an opening type drop weir which are formed as separate members. At least the blind drop weir is movable up and down with respect to the vortex chamber body and is selectively positioned at an upward movement position and a downward movement position so as to switch the communication state and the interruption state.

Abstract: The present invention includes a first injection tube for supplying a colloidal medium, a storage part connected to the first injection tube for receiving the colloidal medium through the first injection tube, a second injection tube connected to the storage part for supplying a colloid, a discharge tube connected to both the storage part and the second injection tube for discharging the colloidal medium coming from the storage part and the colloid coming from the second injection tube, and a free surface inversion part for inverting the free surface of the liquid in the second injection tube so as to mix the colloidal medium and the colloid in the discharge tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for electromagnetic stirring of the steel melt in an electrical arc furnace includes two electromagnetic stirrer units, a current supply, and a control unit. The two stirrers are mounted on an outer bottom surface of the electrical arc furnace at opposites sides of a central position of the bottom surface, the current supply is operatively connected to the two electromagnetic stirrer units, and the control unit is operatively connected to the current supply to control the operation of the two electromagnetic stirrer units.

Abstract: An arrangement for a continuous casting process. The arrangement includes a vessel having a first opening for receiving molten metal in the vessel, a second opening for discharging the molten metal from the vessel, and a body extending between the first opening and the second opening, a first magnetic arrangement attached to the body, the first magnetic arrangement having a magnetic core with legs, and coils arranged around the legs, and a power system configured to provide an alternating current superimposed on a carrier current to each of the coils, each pair of alternating current and carrier current provided to a coil forming a flow control current, wherein flow control currents provided to adjacent coils are phase shifted relative each other, thereby creating a travelling magnetic field in molten metal in the vessel. A corresponding method is also presented herein.

Abstract: A metal melting furnace includes: a furnace body including a storage space storing molten metal; a vortex chamber body including a vortex chamber communicating with the storage space, the vortex chamber body including a partition plate serving as a drop weir uprightly formed inside the vortex chamber, the partition plate disposed at a communication side with respect to the storage space in the vortex chamber so that the longitudinal direction of the partition plate follows the communication direction and divides the communication side to form first and second vortex chamber openings positioned at both sides of the partition plate and communicating with both the storage space and the vortex chamber; and a molten metal whirling gap formed between a front end portion of the partition plate positioned inside of the vortex chamber in the longitudinal direction and an inner wall of the vortex chamber body facing the front end portion.

Abstract: A magnetic pump in a pump well in a molten metal furnace with a long, relatively thin side wall that wraps around a significant fraction of the circumference of the pump, which facilitates creation of an eddy current based flow field in the molten material with better magnetic coupling, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the pump. Breach of the well wall will not result in spillage of metal outside the furnace, and the well can be monitored for any such breach or other change so that the pump can be lifted out of the well to protect it from contact with the molten metal in the event of such a breach, or other appropriate action can be taken.

Abstract: A system and method for melting a raw material. The raw material is fed into an electrically conductive vessel. A plasma arc torch melts at least some of the raw material within the vessel to thereby create a molten material. An inductor, physically disposed adjacent the vessel, and electrically disposed in series with the vessel in operation, effects electromagnetic stirring of the molten material by interacting with the current of the plasma arc torch.

Abstract: A method for reducing vortex formation in molten metal when bottom tapping the molten metal from a metallurgical vessel in a metal making process. The method includes the steps of tapping the molten metal via a tapping hole in the metallurgical vessel, and providing a flow of the molten metal in the metallurgical vessel while tapping via a time-varying electromagnetic field applied to the metallurgical vessel, the flow of the molten metal being such that it constantly moves vortices in the molten metal away from a tapping hole region during the tapping to thereby prevent accumulation of the vortices for vortex formation over the tapping hole. It is also presented an arrangement for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for bringing two immiscible liquids into contact, without mixing and at high temperature, with heating and kneading by induction. In particular, the invention relates to a process and a device for bringing into contact metals and salts which are molten at high temperatures, for example as high as approximately 1,100 K.

Abstract: A non-ferrous metal melting furnace includes a non-ferrous metal melt pump, a vortex chamber body, and a magnetic field device formed of permanent magnets. The vortex chamber body makes a non-ferrous metal melt flow into a vortex chamber from an inlet, makes the non-ferrous metal melt flow in a spiral shape by applying a driving force to the non-ferrous metal melt in the vortex chamber, and discharges the non-ferrous metal melt from the vortex chamber to an outlet. The magnetic field device formed of permanent magnets is disposed outside the vortex chamber and below a bottom plate of the vortex chamber, and applies the driving force that is generated by current flowing in the non-ferrous metal melt and magnetic lines of force from the magnetic field device formed of permanent magnets.

Abstract: Apparatus for inducing flow in a molten material comprises a refractory lined vessel (10) for containing a molten material with an aperture (35, FIG. 3) in the refractory lining. A mounting plate (40, FIG. 4) of non-magnetic material is removably mounted to the vessel over the aperture and an electromagnetic induction unit (14) is mounted adjacent an exterior face of the mounting plate. A cooling system is provided for cooling the mounting plate. The mounting plate may have vanes (72, FIG. 6) on an outer surface to define cooling channels (74, FIG. 6) through which a cooling fluid can flow. The vanes may follow a non-linear path and the cooling fluid may be air.

Abstract: Apparatus for, and method of, containing, transferring and electromagnetically stirring an electrically conductive fluid is provided. A vessel is formed from spaced-apart annular structural elements, or hoops, that are bound together by a high-temperature electrical insulating material, which also forms the interior surface of the vessel. Reinforcing members are embedded in the high-temperature electrical insulating material and passed through the hoops. The vessel is disposed within an electrical stator having multiple electrical poles. Each pole is wound with a separate coil. Current can be supplied to each coil winding, with a suitable phase shift between currents to all coil windings, to achieve an electromagnetically induced stirring and heating of the electrically conductive fluid. The vessel may be removably disposed in the electrical stator so that the vessel can be transported to and from the electrical stator for induced stirring.

Abstract: An agitation device, a melting apparatus, and a melting method for improving melting efficiency of molten metal without contaminating the same. The agitation device is provided with a traveling magnetic field generating unit which is disposed outside a charging tank for storing molten metal and generates, inside the charging tank, a magnetic field that travels downward along the rear sidewall of the charging tank. A flow of the molten metal that rotates longitudinally about an axis approximately parallel to the surface of the molten metal is produced in the molten metal. By charging aluminum cutting chips into the molten metal in which the flow is produced, the aluminum cutting chips move with a downward flow of the molten metal, and are immersed in the molten metal. As a result, melting of the aluminum cutting chips can be accelerated.

Abstract: Provided are a non-ferrous metal melt pump having a simple structure capable of tapping non-ferrous metal melt at a low cost without the help of a person, and a melting furnace system using the same. The non-ferrous metal melt pump includes: a container body which includes an inner space and a non-ferrous metal melt passageway, the non-ferrous metal melt passageway having a spiral passageway formed inside a side wall so that a lower end inlet and an upper end open portion, respectively formed in the side wall to be open to the outside, communicate with each other; a magnetic field device, which is rotatable about the vertical axis line, arranged inside the inner space, and the magnetic field device having a magnitude of a magnetic field such that lines of magnetic force moves while penetrating non-ferrous metal melt inside the spiral passageway during the rotation; and a drive device which rotationally drives the magnetic field device.

Abstract: A device for introducing dust into a molten bath of a pyrometallurgical installation is provided. An electrodeless plasma torch includes an essentially tubular housing, wherein the housing allows a passage of a carrier gas containing dust particles, and wherein the housing is coaxially surrounded by an inductive load coil which forms a heating zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the induction stirring of liquid metal in the bath of a reverberatory furnace by using a traveling magnetic field whose frequency ranges from 50 to 60 Hz. The device is in the form of a module and comprises an inductor of a running magnetic field and an unit, wherein the unit has a channel in the form of a chamber and the inductor is located horizontally under the chamber.

Abstract: An agitator for agitating a melt includes a heat-resistive container having a blast opening through which cooling air is blown and an exhaust opening for exhausting air having been subjected to heat exchange, and a rotating magnet assembly composed of a permanent magnet housed in the heat-resistive container in a rotatable manner, magnetic lines of force emitted from the permanent magnet penetrating through the heat-resistive container to exit outside, and then penetrating the heat-resistive container again to return to the permanent magnet.

Abstract: An object is to provide an electromagnetic stirrer that can provide an excellent stirring force more than before. An electromagnetic stirrer has a vertical electromagnetic field generating coil (1) vertically and circumferentially provided on the outer side of a container (5), and a rotational electromagnetic field generating coil (2) provided on the outer side of the vertical electromagnetic field generating coil (1), in which an iron core (3) is inserted between the vertical electromagnetic field generating coils (1) and between the rotational electromagnetic field generating coils (2), the iron core (3) being formed of a magnetic material with magnetic isotropy and having comb teeth 3a extended to the inner surface of the vertical electromagnetic field generating coil (1).

Abstract: Apparatus for inducing flow in a molten material comprises a refractory lined vessel (10) for containing a molten material with an aperture (35, FIG. 3) in the refractory lining. A mounting plate (40, FIG. 4) of non-magnetic material is removably mounted to the vessel over the aperture and an electromagnetic induction unit (14) is mounted adjacent an exterior face of the mounting plate. A cooling system is provided for cooling the mounting plate. The mounting plate may have vanes (72, FIG. 6) on an outer surface to define cooling channels (74, FIG. 6) through which a cooling fluid can flow. The vanes may follow a non-linear path and the cooling fluid may be air.

Abstract: A furnace plant including at least one furnace vessel comprising side walls, a bottom and a roof. At least one heater is configured to heat metal in the furnace vessel. A compartment includes sidewalls lined with refractory material. The compartment forms an extension of the furnace vessel. At least one electromagnetic stirrer is arranged outside and adjacent to the compartment. A refractory plate is arranged inside the compartment. The refractory plate includes an upper edge configured to be positioned below a meniscus of molten metal and includes a lower edge positioned spaced apart from a bottom of the compartment. The plate is arranged such that a gap between the plate and a wall of the compartment increases toward the bottom of the compartment.

Abstract: Provided are an agitation device, a melting apparatus, and a melting method which achieve good melting efficiency without contaminating molten metal. The agitation device is provided with a traveling magnetic field generating unit which is disposed outside a charging tank for storing molten metal and generates, inside the charging tank, a magnetic field that travels downward along the rear sidewall of the charging tank, whereby a flow of the molten metal that rotates longitudinally about an axis approximately parallel to the surface of the molten metal is produced in the molten metal. By charging aluminum cutting chips into the molten metal in which the flow is produced, the aluminum cutting chips move with the flow of the molten metal, get into the molten metal roughly in the position where a downward flow of the molten metal is produced, and are immersed in the molten metal, and thus the melting of the aluminum cutting chips is accelerated.

Abstract: An electromagnetic stirring apparatus includes a vessel (2) for containing an electroconductive material in a molten state, such as a molten metal (1); an axially traveling magnetic field generating coil (3) for generating magnetic line of force (15) in an axial direction of the vessel (2) towards the molten metal (1) contained in the vessel (2) from an outside of the vessel (2); and a strip-shaped magnetic plate (4) disposed between the coil (3) and the vessel (2). Portions (11) where an axial electromagnetic force is generated in the molten metal contained in the vessel by the coil (3), and portions (10) into which a magnetic field is prevented by the magnetic plate (4) from locally entering, are formed in the vessel (2), whereby a circumferential pressure gradient is generated.

Abstract: An agitator for applying an alternating field to a melting furnace main body in order to melt a row material to form a melt includes a plurality of magnets, which are arranged so that magnetic lines of force emitted from one of the magnets pass through the melt in the melting furnace main body and return to another magnet, the magnets being fixed to an inclined surface which is inclined by an angle with respect to a horizontal surface, and being rotatable around an axis substantially perpendicular to the inclined surface.

Abstract: A furnace plant including at least one furnace vessel comprising side walls, a bottom and a roof. At least one heater is configured to heat metal in the furnace vessel. A compartment includes sidewalls lined with refractory material. The compartment forms an extension of the furnace vessel. At least one electromagnetic stirrer is arranged outside and adjacent to the compartment. A refractory plate is arranged inside the compartment. The refractory plate includes an upper edge configured to be positioned below a meniscus of molten metal and includes a lower edge positioned spaced apart from a bottom of the compartment. The plate is arranged such that a gap between the plate and a wall of the compartment increases toward the bottom of the compartment.

Abstract: Electromagnetic device for fusion and interfacial agitation of diphase systems, particularly for the acceleration of metallurgic or pyrochemical processes, which includes for example a crucible to contain a diphase system, an inductor surrounding this crucible, and a circuit for the supply of the inductor by a current with two components, namely a high frequency component which melts the phases of the system and a low frequency component which agitates the interface of the phases.

Abstract: An electromagnetic stirring apparatus includes a vessel (2) for containing an electroconductive material in a molten state, such as a molten metal (1); an axially traveling magnetic field generating coil (3) for generating magnetic line of force (15) in an axial direction of the vessel (2) towards the molten metal (1) contained in the vessel (2) from an outside of the vessel (2); and a strip-shaped magnetic plate (4) disposed between the coil (3) and the vessel (2). Portions (11) where an axial electromagnetic force is generated in the molten metal contained in the vessel by the coil (3), and portions (10) into which a magnetic field is prevented by the magnetic plate (4) from locally entering, are formed in the vessel (2), whereby a circumferential pressure gradient is generated.

Abstract: There is provided a melting furnace with an agitator. The melting furnace with an agitator includes a melting furnace that contains melt, and an agitator that agitates the melt by an electromagnetic force. The agitator includes a first electrode that is provided at an arbitrary position of the melting furnace so as to come in contact with the melt contained in the melting furnace, a second electrode that is provided near a bottom wall of the melting furnace so as to come in contact with the melt, a first magnetic field device that is provided outside the melting furnace so as to face the bottom wall of the melting furnace and makes a north pole face the bottom wall, and a second magnetic field device that is provided outside the melting furnace so as to face the bottom wall of the melting furnace and makes a south pole face the bottom wall. The first and second magnetic field devices are disposed with a gap in a certain direction.

Abstract: Thus, as shown by an exact electrodynamic computation of EMBF and the estimations described above of the velocity of turbulent flows arising due to their effect, application of amplitude- and frequency-modulated helically traveling (rotating and axially traveling) electromagnetic fields in metallurgical and chemical technologies and foundry can considerably increase the hydraulic efficiency of MHD facilities, intensify the processes of heat and mass transfer in technological plants, significantly increase their productivity, considerably decrease energy consumption for the production of metals, alloys, cast articles, and chemical products, and improve their quality.

Abstract: An object is to provide an electromagnetic stirrer that can provide an excellent stirring force more than before. An electromagnetic stirrer has a vertical electromagnetic field generating coil (1) vertically and circumferentially provided on the outer side of a container (5), and a rotational electromagnetic field generating coil (2) provided on the outer side of the vertical electromagnetic field generating coil (1), in which an iron core (3) is inserted between the vertical electromagnetic field generating coils (1) and between the rotational electromagnetic field generating coils (2), the iron core (3) being formed of a magnetic material with magnetic isotropy and having comb teeth 3a extended to the inner surface of the vertical electromagnetic field generating coil (1).

Abstract: A melting apparatus facilitates the melting of pieces of solid metal in a bath of molten metal (10). The melting apparatus comprises a device (18) having a lower portion (22), an upper portion (20), and a body portion (24) extending therebetween. Solid metal is introduced into the device (18) through the upper portion (20). A flow inducer, such as an impeller (28) induces flow of molten metal through the device (18). Flow straighteners, such as baffles (38) encourage axial flow of molten metal through the device (18). The body portion (24) is formed with a plurality of apertures (36) therein and the device (18) is arranged, in use, with the lower portion (22) and the plurality of apertures (36) positioned within the bath (10) and the upper portion (20) positioned above the upper surface (12) and the molten metal bath (10).

Abstract: There are provided a melting furnace including a containing space for containing a melt of nonferrous metal, a magnetic field generating device, a magnetic flux therefrom, from outside penetrates the melting furnace for containing the melt to run through the containing space in a direction; and at least one pair of electrode terminals, the electrode terminals facing each other with a predetermined distance in a direction crossing the direction of the magnetic flux at a certain angle, and being capable of connecting to a power supply.

Abstract: There is provided a melting furnace with an agitator. The melting furnace with an agitator includes a melting furnace that contains melt, and an agitator that agitates the melt by an electromagnetic force. The agitator includes a first electrode that is provided at an arbitrary position of the melting furnace so as to come in contact with the melt contained in the melting furnace, a second electrode that is provided near a bottom wall of the melting furnace so as to come in contact with the melt, a first magnetic field device that is provided outside the melting furnace so as to face the bottom wall of the melting furnace and makes a north pole face the bottom wall, and a second magnetic field device that is provided outside the melting furnace so as to face the bottom wall of the melting furnace and makes a south pole face the bottom wall. The first and second magnetic field devices are disposed with a gap in a certain direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the induction stirring of liquid metal in the bath of a reverberatory furnace by the action of a traveling magnetic field whose frequency ranges from 50 to 60 Hz. The inventive method consists in producing a magnetic field action on a molten metal at a height of (0.1-0.5)H from the furnace bottom, wherein H is the bath depth, and, in a horizontal direction, along the plane of a chamber (3) bottom which is located behind of the furnace wall. The inventive device in embodied in the form of a module which comprises a load-gripping unit for lifting and displacing a load, a flange and parts for fixing said module to the wall of the furnace bath. The module consists of a frame (12) provided with a unit (2), which is arranged therein and is made of a material resistant to the molten metal action, and with the inductor (1) of the traveling magnetic field.

Abstract: There are provided a melting furnace including a containing space for containing a melt of nonferrous metal, a magnetic field generating device, a magnetic flux therefrom, from outside penetrates the melting furnace for containing the melt to run through the containing space in a direction; and at least one pair of electrode terminals, the electrode terminals facing each other with a predetermined distance in a direction crossing the direction of the magnetic flux at a certain angle, and being capable of connecting to a power supply.

Abstract: A process and a device serve for decreasing the oxygen content of a copper melt. One or more flushing plugs, from which a scavenging gas emerges, are arranged in the perpendicular direction in the lower region of the copper melt. The scavenging gas ascends into the copper melt, and the copper melt itself is electrically stirred. The copper is initially melted in a shaft furnace, and then it is led to a treatment furnace via a transportation channel. As a result of flowing out of the flushing plugs, the scavenging gas ascends into the copper melt both in the region of the transportation channel and also in the region of the treatment furnace. The scavenging gas flows out of at least one of the flushing plugs with a composition corresponding to 30% to 70% reducing gas and 70% to 30% inert gas.

Abstract: As shown in FIG. 3, flow inducement or stirring apparatus 500 includes electromagnetic induction apparatus in the form of a generally rectangular box 501 connected to an inclined end wall 502 of a cradle or port 503 of the apparatus 500, being generally of right-angled isosceles triangle cross-section. The inclined wall 502 is angled at 45° to the vertical wall 504 and horizontal wall 505 of the cradle or support 503. The manner in which the cradle or port 503 can be connected into the vertical end wall 600 of the furnace 601 should be evident from FIG. 3 of the drawings. The port or cradle 503 can be fixed into the wall 600 of the furnace 601 by creating an aperture 602 of an appropriate size and by utilising usual refractory techniques to fix the port in the aperture The electromagnetic induction apparatus 501 is connected to said end wall 502 by any appropriate means and, in use, acts to create circulation of molten metal in the furnace in a vertical plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating compression waves in a conductive liquid comprises a vessel containing a conductive liquid and ac electromagnetic force applying means provided around the vessels for generating the compression waves to achieve improvement after solidification of the liquid by enchancing strength of the compression waves by setting the ac frequency “f” of ac electromagnetic force applying means only within the range defined by the expression 2/(L2&pgr;&mgr;&sgr;)≦f≦(c2&mgr;&sgr;)/2&pgr;, wherein f is a major frequency when a waveform of an electromagnetic force is developed by the Fourier transform, for a non-sine waveform, L is a characteristic length of the system, such as a depth or a radius of the vessel, &mgr; is the permeability of the conductive liquid, &sgr; is the electric conductivity of the conductive liquid, and c is the propagation velocity of the compression waves in the conductive liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus for a metal reduction and melting process, in which a metal and carbon-containing burden is heated in an induction furnace including a heating vessel in which the burden can float in at least one heap on a liquid metal bath in the vessel, is characterized in that the apparatus includes at least one induction heater or inductor located at the bottom center line of the vessel, with the longitudinal access oriented perpendicular to the access of the vessel.

Abstract: In a process for separating impurities from a raw gallium material containing impurities, a process for refining gallium comprising progressively solidifying a raw gallium material provided in a liquid state inside a vessel while applying stirring, such that the diameter of the tubular solidification boundary gradually advances from the inner wall plane of the vessel towards the center of the vessel to reduce the diameter of the tubular solidification boundary, and separating the liquid phase remaining in the central portion of the vessel from the solidified phase before the entire raw material inside the vessel is solidified. The process above is repeated as required by using, as the raw gallium material, the solidified phase from which the liquid phase is separated. A metallic gallium favorably used for the preparation of a compound semiconductor can be obtained by analyzing the impurity concentration of the impurity-concentrated Ga separated from the solidified layer.

Abstract: A flat inductor heating system for inducing heat in a variety of applications including heating, melting and holding a melt at temperature. The system may also be used to stir the melt. The system includes at least one flat induction coil cast in an aggregate of shot and a binding material. The aggregate serves to direct magnetic flux to the melt, thereby improving efficiency. The system is situated above a refractory holding the melt and may either rest on the refractory or be raised and lowered into and out of the refractory.