Abstract: Slag from a pool of molten slag floating on molten metal in a plasma arc treatment chamber is removed by providing a slag container located inside the chamber which has a slag intake pipe extending from a bottom of the container downwardly into the slag pool. A vacuum line is connected to the top of the container and a vacuum source. When a vacuum is applied to the inside of the container, the pressure prevailing in the chamber pushes the slag from the pool through the intake pipe into the container. When the container becomes filled with molten slag, the latter enters a section of the line communicating the top of the container with the vacuum source. As the slag enters the pipe section, it is cooled and solidified to prevent further slag flow into or gas (air) flow through the vacuum line so that the container can be lifted out of the chamber while the slag in the container is still in its molten state without causing slag spillage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pouring molten metal in a crucible over a pouring lip of the crucible and into an opening in a mold is disclosed. The crucible and the mold are inside a chamber under vacuum, and the crucible is supported on a holder which is rotatable about first and second, spaced-apart, parallel, horizontal axes. The location of the first axis is selected so that over a limited arc the pouring lip moves primarily horizontally over a preselected distance such as 12-18 inches. The second axis is located so that tilting of the crucible about it causes the molten liquid to flow over the pouring lip. When the molten metal is to be poured, the manually or computer controlled actuators tilt the crucible about the first and second axes to position the lip so that the stream of metal flows into the mold opening at a predetermined rate.