Abstract: In the continuous casting of steel, surface imperfections associated with the use of an oscillating bar for removal of the cast billet from the mold are substantially eliminated by providing a pulsating high intensity magnetic field around the mold to cause flexing of the metal to detach solidified metal from the internal wall of the mold.

Abstract: Molten steel or other electroconductive metal is treated with vacuum to remove dissolved gases therefrom. A rod of molten steel is drawn from a bath by applying vaccum to a vertical tube dipping into the molten bath. An electrical coil surrounding the tube applies an intense magnetic field to the steel rod by the passage of high frequency alternating current through the coil. The rod is compressed radially inwardly by the magnetic field exposing the whole of the external surface of the rod to vacuum. At the same time, the induced eddy currents superheat the steel rod. The large surface area of application of vacuum combined with the narrow dimension through which the gas must travel ensure rapid and efficient removal of the gases. The procedure is repeated until all the steel in the bath has been treated.

Abstract: A body of molten metal is simultaneously heated and rotated by the use of electromagnetic forces. In one embodiment, the melting of metals by induction heating is improved by using a circular spirally-wound electro-magnetic core located between a central flow channel and six peripherally-located flow channels. Three-phase electrical current is applied to the core windings to form a rotating magnetic field which intercepts the metal in the peripherally-located flow channels. The magnetic field causes heating of the metal in the peripheral channels with negligible heating in the central channel, thereby causing flow of heated metal through the peripheral channels to the bath. The magnetic field also causes rotational motion of the body of molten metal, thereby improving mixing and minimizing surface turbulence. In another embodiment, the electro-magnetic core is immersed in a body of molten metal to be surrounded thereby.