Abstract: A dross press head is constructed of refractory material. The refractory material may be a vitreous silica based refractory or other suitable refractory material including ceramic material. The refractory head may include reinforcing fibers, which may be stainless steel fibers. The refractory head may be provided with refractory clips or anchor bolts and secured at its upper end to a metal plate for structural strength. One or more spikes may be formed on or mounted to a lower surface of the refractory head for aiding flow of the upper layer of metal recovered from the dross. The spikes may be constructed of refractory material including ceramic material, cast steel, cast iron or hot rolled steel. Spike material may be selected based on the type of dross. The spike may be formed on the head threadably mounted to a supporting rod mounted to the upper metal plate.

Abstract: A portable dross pressing apparatus utilizes a frame which may be made portable by wheels, by forklift tubes or the like. A press head is mounted to an upper portion of the portable frame and a drive means is used to force a skim pot upwardly into juxtaposition with the press head wherein dross within the skim pot may be compressed between the skim pot and the press head. The pot and/or head may contain ribs which may or may not mate. The pressing components may be made of cast steel or of a refractory material, such as ceramic. A pot of refractory material would be constructed over a metal shell for reinforcement. Preferably, the skim pot and sow mold are mounted within a traveling frame which is movably mounted to the portable frame. The skim pot may be provided with an automatic dumping mechanism and the sow mold may be mounted on a slide drawer mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the skim pot is provided with means for preheating which may either be a gas burner or electrical resistance heaters.

Abstract: An improved cooling system for cooling the head of a dross press used in the recovery of non-ferrous metals from dross utilizes a controlled flow of cooling fluid (preferably water) through a cooling coil mounted in particulate matter having a high absorbtivity for heat, preferably sand and most preferably chromite sand. A temperature sensor is mounted within the particulate material or sand, and is used to control the flow of water through the coil in the cooling head. When a temperature above a predetermined value is sensed, water flow through the cooling coil is caused to increase. When the sensed temperature is below a second predetermined value, the controlled water flow through the cooling coil is caused to decrease. Apparatus is also provided for controlling the amount of time that the dross press head is in contact with the dross to be pressed as a function of the temperature of the dross.

Abstract: A dross compression apparatus and method utilizes a dross compression head and a skim box or collector having mating ribs. The ribs may be any type of projection or shape of the head and skim box sufficient to form grooves in both sides of the dross which divide or substantially divide the dross. Improved plating of the aluminum metal and separation of the aluminum layers from the aluminum oxide are achieved by using pressures in the range of 50 to 70 pounds per square inch. The ribs by their cutting action through the dross enable the achieving of these pressures with lower rated hydraulic presses. Two specific embodiments are disclosed, one utilizing an elongated substantially hemispheric shaped head and the other utilizing a substantially hemispheric shaped head. In both embodiments, the head and receptacle or skim box are of substantially conforming shapes.

Abstract: A dross compression apparatus utilizes a substantially hemispheric shaped receptacle in a dross collector and a complementing compression head which is provided with ribs to form grooves in the material formed between the head and the receptacle. The material formed between the head and the receptacle is substantially a shell comprised of an inner layer of aluminum oxide and outer layers of aluminum. The grooves in the shell enable the material to be more easily processed as the shell is readily broken for crushing. The compression head may be applied more than once to the aluminum dross and may be rotated between applications causing multiple grooves and increased decanting of aluminum. The compression head is provided with a water cooling system which more rapidly cools the aluminum dross and reduces the thermite reaction. The cast steel compression head reduces the air flow to the cooling dross thereby reducing the amount of oxygen available, oxidation and the thermite reaction.