Abstract: A melting and holding furnace comprising a preheating and melting chamber defining a preheating tower section in an upper position and a melting section in a lower position, a holding chamber communicating with the melting chamber, and a well communicating with the holding chamber. A melting burner is provided for jetting out flames obliquely downwardly into the melting section.

Abstract: A melting furnace has a supporting structure of thermostable steel, and an internal shell of common steel, serving as a contact area for the refractory lining of the furnace.

Abstract: A metal continuously melting and retaining furnace including a retaining chamber which retains therein a molten metal fed from a melting chamber, a ladling chamber from which the molten metal is ladled out, and a treating chamber between the retaining and ladling chambers and having means of producing bubbles of a molten metal-refining gas and means of stirring the molten metal. A molten metal inlet port between the retaining chamber and the treating chamber and a molten metal outlet port between the treating chamber and the ladling chamber are disposed so as not to face directly to each other. In addition, a bubble baffle plate stands on the bottom surface of the treating chamber near the molten metal outlet port so as to oppose thereto. This makes it possible to provide a molten metal with a good yield, which is refined to a higher degree and is most suitable for producing a high quality thin cast product by casting.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the rapid efficient melting of solid ferrous metal scrap without direct exposure to water vapor, carbon dioxide, oxygen or oxygen-containing gases, using natural gas and/or other caloric gaseous fuels. The apparatus includes a furnace having a refractory base, means for introducing ferrous metal such as solid steel scrap to the wall area, means for providing a slag layer over the solid steel scrap, and gas burner means for emitting one or more forced gas flames for superheating the slag layer to a liquid which covers the scrap and for agitating and circulating the molten slag to form a highly-efficient heat-transfer medium for melting and refining the steel scrap while it is insulated against contact with gases, particularly water vapor, carbon dioxide, oxygen or oxygen-containing gases. The process may operate continuously and can recover heat for scrap preheating, turbine power and other efficient uses.

Abstract: A continuous melting furnace in which a metal is melted, so that the melted metal is held to maintain the temperature of the melted metal and is ladled to a mold, comprising a melting tower chamber for receiving metal to be melted and for melting such metal, an inclined floor chamber connected to the melting tower chamber, a holding chamber connected to the inclined floor chamber, a gas treatment chamber connected to the holding chamber and having a bubbling device for ejecting an inert gas into the melted metal and a ladling chamber connected to the gas treatment chamber and which is bounded to the holding chamber through a thermally insulative separation wall from which the melted metal is ladled into a mold.

Abstract: A process for melting metal scrap, particularly steel scrap or such high-melting charge material in a shaft furnace operated in cokeless manner by means of fluid fuels is described. The furnace shaft used for carrying out the process is separated from the furnace hearth connected to the bottom thereof by means of a cooled grate arrangement. The burners issue substantially vertically to the longitudinal axis of the shaft into the furnace and the combustion air is recuperatively preheated by means of the shaft furnace waste gases. The amount of heat introduced into the melting unit by means of the burners is subdivided in dosable manner into a component drawn off from the furnace shaft and a component remaining in the furnace hearth. For this purpose the radiating surface of the wall lining in the furnace hearth is between 1.5 and 3.5 m.sup.2, particularly 2 and 2.8 m.sup.2 ton of molten metal produced. The radiation-active, average layer thickness of the gas in the furnace hearth is between 1.5 and 3.

Abstract: A vertical shaft melting furnace wherein meltable solids are charged to the upper region of a bed supported only by a fluid cooled support grid having openings smaller than the average diameter of the charged solids wherein submerged combustion is maintained in a melt pool below the bed of solids and combustion product gases of the submerged combustion are passed upwardly through the bed of solids preheating and melting a substantial portion of the solids forming melt which flows downwardly into the melt pool and partially melting the remaining portion of the solids reducing their size sufficiently to pass through the support grid openings into the melt pool. The apparatus and process of this invention provides improved melt quality with stable temperature and high homegeneity with increased specific production rate and increased unit production rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for charging metal chips into a molten bath of the metal from which the chips are formed, comprising a compacting extruder and a delivery conduit which is resistant to the mass of molten metal and which is pivotable to dip into the molten metal bath when chips are being charged thereinto and out of contact with the bath when charging is to be discontinued, are disclosed. The chips are forced through the delivery conduit in the form of a compacted or densified mass preferably having a density between about 30 and 60 percent of the density of the solid metal and preferably between about 55 and 80 pounds per cubic foot. Feed is continued while the delivery conduit is in the molten metal bath and until it is removed therefrom to prevent entry of molten metal into the delivery conduit. The method is preferably conducted on a continuous basis and various sensors with appropriate wiring may be employed for safety and for making the method substantially automatic in operation.

Abstract: A vertical shaft furnace for and a method of efficiently melting aluminum and aluminum alloys substantially completely by convection is disclosed. The vertical shaft furnace has a generally cylindrical cross-section with a refractory liner and a cast refractory hearth having a concave, generally conical shape. A plurality of downwardly inclined burners are provided in the walls of the furnace arranged in such a way as to prevent the high velocity burner flame from blowing the aluminum material to be melted across the furnace and into burners on the opposite furnace wall.

Abstract: A reactor for iron making having an upper gas blowing nozzle, a lower gas blowing nozzle, and an iron scrap charging inlet. A vertical shaft is installed directly above the inlet at the top part of the reactor. A mechanism is provided in the lower end of the vertical shaft for controlling charging of the iron scrap to the reactor. A by-pass tube is connected between the top part of the reactor and a gas inlet in the vertical shaft directly above the mechanism for controlling the charging of iron scrap and permits exit of high temperature exhaust gases from the reactor and introduces the exhaust gases to flow through the iron scrap in the vertical shaft to pre-heat the same. Structure is provided in the by-pass tube for introducing oxygen gas or air into the high temperature exhaust gases to react therewith and generate further heat. The structure can comprise a nozzle.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing steel from scrap. A cupola furnace is provided with a layer of coke in the vicinity of the tuyeres of the furnace, with scrap to be melted being supplied upstream of the layer of coke and molten scrap passing through the layer of coke to a converter located downstream of the furnace. The molten scrap is refined in the converter with oxygen, thereby producing a CO-rich converted waste gas, which is supplied to the coke layer and burned in the vicinity of the tuyeres.

Abstract: A support plate is used, together with the shell of a vessel for the holding and/or refining of aluminum, in combination with a refractory sheet and a metal heating element container positioned in a graphite block to protect said heating element and to thus extend the life of said heating element. Oxidation of the graphite block is precluded, as is the attack upon the heating element by chlorides passing through the pores of said graphite block.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process and a device for the melting and holding in the molten state light metal alloy loads. There are provided two chambers respectively referred to as the loading-melting chamber and the holding-tapping chamber, interconnected by a channel with reduced section. The loading-melting chamber is placed at a level which is above that of the other chamber and a space under the loading-melting chamber houses a heat exchanger for heating the combustion air by combustion products.

Abstract: A furnace for heating and melting zinc comprising a reservoir, a movable upper section, pre-heaters supported on the upper section and immersion burners supported on the upper section and extending into the reservoir. The movable upper section can be raised and lowered relative to the level of molten zinc in the reservoir and thereby insure maximum heating efficiency of the zinc. In a preferred imbodiment the pre-heaters and immersion burners are gas fired.

Abstract: A process for the introduction of metal chips, especially scrap metal chips, into a molten mass of the metal of which said chips are formed, wherein the essentially dry chips are first compacted and placed into strip form, and then introduced into the molten metal bath in such strip form in an essentially continuous manner, is disclosed. A cleaning flux is also advantageously incorporated with the chips, into the compacted and strip form thereof, and then into the bath. The metal chips, after compacting and placing into strip form, are introduced directly into the molten metal bath through the skin of metal oxide existing on its surface and caused to become a part of the metal pool beneath the surface thereof without essential disturbance of the metal oxide skin except at the point of introduction.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for reactor iron making has a furnace body to melt raw material, typically as scrap, a shaft to heat the raw material, and a raw material supply bucket, these three components being arranged vertically, with an exhaust gas combustion tower positioned close to the shaft.Raw material is supplied to the shaft with this apparatus by the bucket, and, after being heated by exhaust gas from the furnace body, the raw material is charged into the furnace body by the opening/closing operation of a shaft damper and a furnace body cover.Exhaust gas is introduced from the furnace body into the combination tower, air is supplied in stages, the temperature of the gas is gradually raised through combustion of CO, and the gas is used to heat the raw material in the shaft.

Abstract: A melting furnace includes a body of a refractory material having a hollow melting portion for holding a molten material and a hollow heating portion disposed adjacent thereto for holding the molten material and maintaining the molten material at elevated temperatures. The melting portion has at its upper portion an opening through which a material to be melted is fed into the melting portion, the body having a pair of generally horizontally-spaced inlet and outlet ports each communicating the melting portion with the heating portion. An electromagnetic agitator is disposed below the melting portion for producing a shafting magnetic field in the melting portion which magnetic field shifts from the inlet port to the outlet port to thereby cause the molten material to move from the melting portion to the heating portion via the outlet port and then to move from the heating portion to the melting portion via the inlet port.

Abstract: Attack of the refractory containment by the slag in an ironmaking or steelmaking vessel is prevented by means providing a continuously replenished thin film of liquid iron or steel between the slag and the refractory.

Abstract: A method of efficiently melting aluminum and aluminum alloys in a vertical shaft furnace substantially completely by convection is disclosed. The vertical shaft furnace has a generally cylindrical cross-section with a refractory liner and a cast refractory hearth having a concave, generally conical shape. A plurality of downwardly inclined burners are provided in the walls of the furnace arranged in such a way as to prevent the high velocity burner flame from blowing the aluminum material to be melted across the furnace and into burners on the opposite furnace wall.

Abstract: A system for alloying lead with minor amounts of alloyants which have a higher melting point than, and a lower solid solubility in, lead. The system includes a melting furnace retaining Pb melt at a first temperature, a sealed vessel containing chunks of alloyant-rich material, a heated conduit between the furnace and the vessel for conducting melt to the vessel while heating it to the melting temperature of the material in the vessel, a conduit for returning superheated melt from the vessel to the furnace and a pump for circulating a small portion of the melt from the furnace through the vessel for dissolution of the alloyant into that portion.

Abstract: Method of reactor iron making without using electric power in the reactor. Iron scrap and a solid non-petroleum carbonaceous material, i.e., powdery coal or coke, are continuously charged from above into molten iron in the reactor with a space over the molten iron. The carbonaceous material is charged by injecting it with a stream of nitrogen or air. Oxygen gas is simultaneously blown into molten iron below its surface so as to stir it and oxidize the carbonaceous material mainly to CO and blown into the space over the iron to oxidize the CO to CO.sub.2. The amount of oxygen is increased as the amount of molten iron increases. The iron scrap melts from the heat generated by the oxidation. The high temperature exhaust gas is used to preheat scrap to be charged. When the amount of molten iron reaches a predetermined level, it is tapped off until a lower predetermined level is reached. The above steps are repeated. Twin reactor iron making can use the method.

Abstract: A furnace for smelting nonferrous metals and/or for holding nonferrous metal melts is proposed which has a multiple-chamber trough having at least one filling chamber, at least one smelting chamber and/or one holding chamber and at least one drain chamber, and at least one lid for covering the smelting chamber and/or the holding chamber. The filling chamber communicates with the smelting or holding chamber through a passage and the smelting or holding chamber communicate with the drain chamber through another passage. All passages are located beneath the surface of the metal melt introduced into the furnace. The furnace also has a tapping-off device including a stationary molded piece located at the bottom of the drain chamber where it defines an outflow opening, and a tubular tap plug which is rotatably mounted to the stationary molded piece at one end and extends outwardly from the furnace with its other end.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for melting a metallic material in the form of a pile of elongate metal ingots, wherein the ingot pile are pre-heated in a horizontal pre-heating chamber while the pile is moved from its one end to the other end, and the pre-heated pile at the other end is pushed into a melting chamber which communicates with the pre-heating chamber and extends vertically downwardly from the other end of the pre-heating chamber, whereby the pile is turned sideways before falling down into the melting chamber, with a result of collapse of the pile into the individual metal ingots in the melting chamber.

Abstract: A furnace for providing a source of molten aluminum or other metal includes a main chamber and a sweat chamber, the floor of which constitutes a sweat hearth on which ingots or sows are placed. A division wall separates the sweat chamber from the main chamber, and this wall contains ports located at the level of sweat hearth for providing communication between the two chambers. Each chamber, moreover, contains its own set of burners and has a discharge stack leading away from it. Each stack in turn has a refractory damper in it. The burners within the main chamber maintain the bath in a molten condition, and when these burners are in operation, the damper in the stack leading from the main chamber is closed, while the damper in the stack leading from the sweat chamber is open. Thus, the hot gases flow through the ports in the division wall and thence through the sweat chamber to the stack leading from that chamber. The hot gases preheat the sows.

Abstract: A charge channel opens into a primary melting chamber and comprises a substantially vertically extending first section and a second section which follows the first section and opens substantially tangentially into a cylindrically shaped bottom portion of the primary melting chamber. The charge channel is charged with melting stock by means of a funnel-shaped melting stock infeed. A jet of molten metal is fed into the first section by passage means comprising a pump and a conduit. The jet of molten metal is mixed in this first section with the melting stock which is infed into and passed through the first section in a free-falling movement. The melting stock is enclosed and entrained by the jet of molten metal which is tangentially injected into the melt-containing bottom portion of the primary melting chamber. A turbulent flow is thereby generated in the primary melting chamber and keeps the melting stock in motion during finish melting.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for heating a steel bath charged with scrap which efficiently utilizes converter waste gas to supplement external energy sources is presented.

Abstract: An under-heater type furnace for maintaining a molten metal at a high temperature, comprising a refractory vessel made of an integral castable material for containing the molten metal, a heat insulating layer made of a ceramic fiber material and fixed outside of the refractory vessel for covering thermally the refractory vessel, a heater, a protective tube made of ceramics and having a closed end and an open end for housing the heater and protecting the heater from the molten metal in the refractory vessel, the refractory vessel having a first support at a lower side portion thereof and a second support at an opposite side portion thereof, the first support having a tapered opening wall which is outwardly widened, a sealing material disposed between the tapered opening wall and the protective tube for fixing the protective tube relative to the vessel, the second support supporting the closed end of the protective tube in such a manner that the closed end of the protective tube can freely move relative to the

Abstract: A process for melting a ferrous burden comprising scrap iron, scrap steel, pig iron, direct reduced iron or mixtures thereof without the use of coke is provided. Air or enriched air as a primary oxidant is preheated and together with fuel is combusted to form a reducing atmosphere in a shaft furnace or forehearth which melts the ferrous burden in the melting zone of the shaft furnace. The reducing atmosphere leaving the melting zone of the shaft furnace is further combusted with a secondary oxidant in the preheating zone of the shaft furnace. The top gas from the preheating zone of the shaft furnace is combusted with a tertiary oxidant to provide a heated flue gas to preheat the primary oxidant. Optionally, the heat remaining in the flue gas after preheating the primary oxidant may be recovered in a waste heat recovery device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a plasma melting furnace through the side wall of whose cylindrical furnace body a plurality of downwardly directed plasma burners are guided, whose mouths project into the furnace interior. In order to avoid several rechargings, which has been common so far, in particular with scrap of low apparent density, and to be able to charge continuously, without endangering the plasma burners by electric flashovers between parts of the charge material and the burner mouths or falling-down materials and by maintaining the inert gas atmosphere within the furnace, the cover of the furnace interior comprises a shoulder-likely re-entering part projecting upwardly. This part is closeable by a lid and delimits a central charging opening whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the circle on which the mouths of the plasma burners are arranged.

Abstract: An automatic pig-charging apparatus for hot-chamber pressure-diecasting machines is described, which enable small parts to be manufactured e.g., a Zamak alloy especially under mass production conditions. Excessive fluctuations of the level of the liquid metal melt have prove to have disadvantageous effects on the quality of small parts, and on the service lives of the pressure-diecasting machines and dies. The aim must accordingly be to minimize the fluctuations. The present invention provides a control system, which keeps the liquid metal level within narrow limits. A float switch automatically triggers a charging operation whenever the lower liquid metal level is reached. This operation involves the automatic replenishment of the liquid metal melt by addition of pigs supplied from a replenishing station.

Abstract: Copper is melted in a reverberatory furnace having a longitudinally extending hearth, a roof, side and end walls and having a burner system at one end wall thereof for providing at least one flame extending longitudinally through said furnace for heating the hearth thereof, the method also including using at least one oxygen lance extending downwardly from the roof of the furnace with the flame thereof in head-on contact with a unit portion of copper charged to the furnace, the total charge in the furnace comprising a plurality of unit portions disposed along said hearth.

Abstract: Apparatus for melting relatively large floating units of metal scrap in a molten melting media or medium, the units having oxide films and solid, liquid and gaseous inclusions. After the units are charged into a melting medium, layers of freshly melted metal are presented to the molten media. The apparatus includes a bay for heating the molten media and means for pumping the media from the heating bay to a circular bay for receiving the large units of metal scrap. Located in the circular bay is a rotor means for moving the media therein at a velocity sufficient to sweep away the surface and insulating layers of the floating units in a rapid manner such that new metal is rapidly and continuously exposed to the melting media without the floating units being submerged in the media. A third bay is included for collecting skim material from the molten media leaving the circular bay.

Abstract: In apparatus for filling a container suitable for storage with radioactive solid wastes arising from atomic power plants or the like, a plasma arc is irradiated toward a portion of the wastes to melt the portion of the wastes; portions of the wastes are successively moved so as to be subjected to irradiation of the plasma arc to continuously melt the wastes; and the melts obtained by melting the wastes are permitted to flow down toward the bottom of the container.

Abstract: The metal shell of a furnace or cupola is cooled by means of water flowing down over the exterior surface of the metal shell. In order to reduce heat loss and thus decrease the energy consumption, the interior surface of the metal shell is lined with a fired refractory shape. The thermal conductivity of the refractory material and its thickness are selected such that the amount of refractory material remaining upon reaching equilibrium conditions will be sufficient to maintain the mechanical and structural integrity of the lining. Refractory materials of different conductivities may be selected for various locations in the furnace depending upon the temperatures to be encountered.

Abstract: An improved water-cooled, liningless cupola wherein the lower portion of the water-cooled body section, including the high heat area above the tuyeres, tapers inwardly toward the bottom with the taper terminating a short distance above the tuyeres and with the remainder of the bottom end of the body section, which includes the tuyere area, being either cylindrical or outwardly tapered. Preferably, the cylindrical or outwardly tapered bottom end portion plus an upper adjacent section of the inwardly tapered lower portion are provided with a multiplicity of interiorly projecting studs which serve to anchor the initial refractory lining and, thereafter, skull after it is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved high velocity dual fuel burner and a method for firing a vertical shaft metal melting furnace with gaseous or liquid fuel in which the burner nozzle is adapted to mix and ignite both types of fuels alternately or in combination by means of three concentric nozzles including a central oil spraying nozzle, an intermediate nozzle to supply natural gas and an outermost nozzle to supply combustion air.

Abstract: A shaft furnace for recycling non-ferrous metals is provided with a crane runway extending horizontally above the furnace opening, on which a movable carrier transports sorting containers to the furnace. The carrier is provided with a lifting and gripping mechanism for moving and transporting the sorting containers.The shaft furnace is provided with a plurality of individually sealable lock chambers which are locked and sealed from the furnace and the outside atmosphere by selectively opening or closing flaps. In addition, a good seal is provided between the sorting container and the shaft furnace by a sealing surface formed by a metal strip which is located opposite the sealing edge of the sorting container.

Abstract: Metal is melted in melting vessels heated in a melting furnace by combustion of fuel and by exhaust gases from the combustion. In order to prevent evaporation, overheating and contamination of the melt, the exhaust gases of the melting furnace, including unburned fuel components of the exhaust gases, are directed through a channel of limited cross-sectional size into a melting chamber of substantially larger cross-sectional size. The hot gases are directed against the surface of melting vessels in the furnace and are allowed to expand in the melting chamber to transfer heat to melting vessels there. In addition, the hot gases are retained and the unburned components are burned in the melting chamber so that their heat capacity is given off to objects within the melting chamber to be stored in those objects to achieve a high degree of utilization of the fuel.

Abstract: A cupola system for production of gray iron employs otherwise wasted heat to preheat fuel, pig iron, flux and compressed air fed into a melting furnace, by diversion of melting furnace exhaust-gases through a preheating furnace containing feeding conduits for the fuel, pig iron and flux, and for the compressed air; the preheating furnace is laterally inclined downwardly from a point of exhaust to a chimney, to the melting furnace; the diverting means includes a closed, downwardly concave reflecting top over the melting furnace, and the preheating furnace has a concave roof; an important provision of the invention is employment of a maximum number of conventional size and shape tuyeres in a radial array in the melting furnace.

Abstract: A cupola comprises a shaft with burners located at the bottom part around the periphery thereof, the burners having nozzle ducts. The cupola further comprises a hearth and a refractory bed. The total outlet cross-sectional area (.SIGMA.f) of the nozzle ducts is equal to 0.02-0.18 of the shaft cross-sectional area (F) in the plane of location of the nozzle ducts.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for regulating the percentage quantities of individual gases present in the combustion air supplied for reaction processes in metallurgy. A molecular sieve absorption material is used on the intake air to absorb the inert constituents to thereby enhance the quantity of oxygen present. The apparatus utilizes several molecular sieve materials in a continuous manner such that one of the devices containing the molecular sieve material is being purged for regeneration while another device is absorbing the inert constituents, while yet another device is cooling, i.e., getting ready for the absorption operation. The countercurrent flow of heated intake air, which air is derived from the metallurgical reaction process, is used in the apparatus for regenerating the molecular sieve material.

Abstract: An aluminum melting furnace apparatus of compact, thermally efficient configuration utilizing a silicon carbide plate member for covering the lower end of the combustion chamber which receives heat from a flat flame burner for uniformly heating the plate member for providing radiant heat to the melting chamber. An elongate narrow rectangular opening at one end of the combustion chamber directs flue gases under pressure toward a pre-heat hearth of a pre-heat chamber which is provided with an upwardly sloping roof with an exhaust opening at the high point thereof. The furnace is a clamshell furnace with a hinged cover having ceramic fiber insulation protected by the plate member from direct contact with molten particles of metal from the bath during melting.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for the recovery of heat from exhaust or waste gases having a temperature of from about 500.degree. to about 2500.degree. F. generated in a process operation cycling between an operational mode and in idling mode utilizing an intermediate heat transfer fluid to recover heat and to use all or a portion of such recovered heat, inter alia, in such process operation.

Abstract: A hot-blast cupola furnace 1 has an inclined bottom 3 leading directly to a tapping conduit 4. The conduit 4 leads to a forehearth 5 having an iron discharge siphon 13, 14, 15 and two slag discharge siphons 16, 17. The forehearth 5 has an upper slag-holding part 10 and a lower iron-holding part 11, which also contains slag in its upper part down to the level of the tops of the siphons 16, 17. The part 10 is of greater horizontal cross-sectional area than the part 11. In this way the height of the slag column through which the iron passes in the forehearth is reduced and so is the area of the boundary layer in the forehearth. This causes the reaction between the iron and the slag to take place predominantly in the main furnace zone above the bottom 3 and not in the forehearth and in this way the life of the lining of the forehearth, which is a limiting factor on the possible continuous period of operation of the furnace, is prolonged.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved high velocity dual fuel burner and a method for firing a vertical shaft metal melting furnace with gaseous or liquid fuel in which the burner nozzle is adapted to mix and ignite both types of fuels alternately or in combination by means of three concentric nozzles including a central oil spraying nozzle, an intermediate nozzle to supply natural gas and an outermost nozzle to supply combustion air.

Abstract: The efficiency of cupola operation is increased by the injection of a gas having an oxygen concentration of from about 20 to 100 volume percent, separate from the air blast, directly to the burning coke, at supersonic velocity.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated system for continuously melting and refining secondary and blister copper to produce and continuously cast anode grade copper comprising: continuous melting of secondary and blister copper in an optional fuel vertical shaft furnace; continuously or semicontinuously skimming initial slag from the surface of the melted copper in a slag vessel as it drains from the shaft furnace; collecting a reservoir of molten copper in a holding furnace capable of controlling its temperature and subsequent flow; adding fluxes to the molten copper; directing the molten copper into an oxidation vessel where the molten copper and impurities are oxidized; transferring the oxidized and fluxed molten copper to a second slag vessel where slag is skimmed from its surface; flowing the oxygen rich molten copper into a reduction vessel where oxygen content is reduced; collecting a supply of refined molten copper in a final holding vessel; continuously passing the refined molten copper through a filtering ladle

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple chamber vertical shaft furnace for melting granulated metal. Granulated scrap metal, high-grade crystalline ore or a combination thereof is preheated and sintered into a coherent columnar mass by the present invention. It is then melted in an enlarged melting chamber by multiple burners located in the walls of the furnace which direct heat tangent to the coherent columnar mass in a tubular heating space between the outer surface of the coherent columnar mass and the inner surface of the furnace walls, and flows out of the present invention through a tapping outlet for further processing.

Abstract: A cupola for the melting of metal is provided with an auxiliary gas generator which supplies through the forehearth hot carbon monoxide rich gas to the bottom of the cupola as a source of heat. The heat of the gases maintains the cupola hearth and forehearth hot. Ordinary coal, or coke breeze or any other carbonaceous fuel may be burned in the generator. Additionally, the cupola may be allowed to go to zero output without cooling off.

Abstract: Apparatus for disposing of pelletized refuse by conversion into useful gaseous products and inert solid residue, comprising a vertical shaft and an enlarged hearth beneath the shaft, with a multiplicity of tuyeres for feeding oxygen-containing gas into the hearth.