Abstract: An automated guided vehicle (AGV) including a frame, ground-contacting elements connected to the frame for supporting the AGV and a heat shield is used in an automated sow casting facility. AGVs are adapted to get hold of, to move and to release moulds used for producing sows. A method of operating the casting facility involving AGVs to move moulds between stations is also described.

Abstract: The present document describes a machine for compacting a ramming paste inside a gap between cathodes of an electrolytic cell. The machine comprises a guiding rod for providing a static pressure in a longitudinal axis which is coincident with the guiding rod; a vibration generator attached to the guiding rod for providing an oscillatory pressure; and a compaction tool attached to one of the guiding rod and the vibration generator for transmitting the static pressure and the oscillatory pressure to the ramming paste inside the gap.

Abstract: The present document describes a method and confinement unit for stopping a chemical reaction involving hot metal dross and a gas in the surrounding environment. The method comprises transferring the hot metal dross in a dross pan and placing the dross pan with the metal dross therein in the gastight chamber. Then, the dross pan is sealed with the hot metal dross therein into a gastight chamber of a fixed interior volume. The chemical reaction occurring inside the gastight chamber depletes a limited amount of gas present inside the gastight chamber, thereby stopping once the gas is completely depleted. The gastight chamber is shaped and sealed to withstand a pressure differential created by the depleting of the gas in the fixed interior volume, until the hot dross is cooled and the chemical reaction has stopped.