Abstract: A dross compression apparatus and method includes one or more air nozzles for directing cooling air across the top of a compression head for cooling the compression head. The air may be vented through air vents in a wall of the apparatus after passing across the top of the compression head. Also a plurality of ribs may extend across the top of the compression head in the direction of the air vents in the wall of the apparatus for directing the air across the top of the compression head and out the air vents.

Abstract: A furnace system for recovering a non-ferrous metal from a charge of material containing the metal. The furnace system has a furnace chamber having walls defining a refractory chamber, the refractory chamber receiving the charge of material and the metal contained in the charge of material being heated into a flowable mode in the refractory chamber. One feature of the furnace system includes a door having a closed position adjacent an inlet passage to the furnace chamber, the door having rollers and a suspension. Another feature is the geometry of the refractory chamber and the interaction of that geometry with heat energy introduced into the refractory chamber.

Abstract: A furnace system for recovering a non-ferrous metal from a charge of material containing the metal. The furnace system having a furnace chamber having walls defining a refractory chamber, the refractory chamber receiving the charge of material and the metal contained in the charge of material being heated into a flowable mode in the refractory chamber. The furnace system having at least one paddle radially projecting from an interior surface of the furnace chamber toward a longitudinal axis of the furnace chamber. Other features of the invention include a door having a closed position adjacent an inlet passage to the furnace chamber, the door having rollers and a suspension. Other features of the invention include a motor and a control unit which monitors torque to rotate the furnace chamber as an indication of viscosity of the charge of material. Methods of operating a furnace system for recovering non-ferrous metal from a charge of material containing the metal are also discussed.