Abstract: An apparatus, and method of operating the apparatus, wherein a feed material is converted into a glassified condition for subsequent use or disposal. The apparatus is particularly useful for disposal of hazardous or noxious waste materials which are otherwise either difficult or expensive to dispose of. The apparatus is preferably constructed by excavating a melt zone in a quantity of soil or rock, and lining the melt zone with a back fill material if refractory properties are needed. The feed material is fed into the melt zone and, preferably, combusted to an ash, whereupon the heat of combustion is used to melt the ash to a molten condition. Electrodes may be used to maintain the molten feed material in a molten condition, and to maintain homogeneity of the molten materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for both disposing of an environmentally undesirable material comprising petroleum coke and the sulfur and heavy metals contained therein and of providing fuel for a process of making molten iron or steel preproducts and reduction gas in a melter gasifier having an upper fuel charging end, a reduction gas discharging end, a lower molten metal and slag collection end, and means providing an entry for charging ferrous material into the melter gasifier; introducing petroleum coke into the melter gasifier at the upper fuel charging end; blowing oxygen-containing gas into the petroleum coke to form at least a first fluidized bed of coke particles from the petroleum coke; introducing ferrous material into the melter gasifier through the entry means, reacting petroleum coke, oxygen and particulate ferrous material to combust the major portion of the petroleum coke to produce reduction gas and molten iron or steel preproducts containing heavy metals freed from combustion of the petrole

Abstract: Mercury is often removed as an impurity from process fluid streams by adsorption in fixed beds using any of several well-known adsorbents having the ability to selectively adsorb mercury. It is also common to reintroduce this sequestered mercury into the environment by means of the spent gas used to periodically regenerate the fixed beds. A solution to this problem is provided by the present invention in which the mercury is removed from the process stream using a large cyclically regenerated adsorption bed in combination with a non-regenerable secondary adsorption bed, the mercury content of the former being in part recovered as liquid mercury by passage through a condenser and in part transferred to the non-regenerated bed. Mercury leakage from the non-regenerable bed is recycled to the cyclically regenerated bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of recycling metal containing electrical components to recover one or more metal values therefrom by comminuting the used metal containing electrical component, preferably in an inert environment, separating water soluble and insoluble materials and recovering metal or metal compounds from at least one of these materials.

Abstract: A first flow of gas (C) accompanying a flow of solid particles (S), is sent at supersonic speed into a first conduit (1) prolonged by a third conduit (8) and intersecting a second conduit (6) supplying a second flow of gas (G) which is deflected into the third conduit (8) to accompany the flow of particles (S) whose trajectory is not substantially modified, the flow of the first gas (C) being deflected, downstream of an oblique shockwave (13) into a fourth conduit (9) forming a separator nose (10) with the third conduit (8). The invention is particularly applicable to the injection, into a reaction chamber (16), of solid particles with a highly oxygenated gas (G) replacing an inert gas (C) for conveying the particles.

Abstract: A furnace (1) has a main holding (2) and a charging well (4) into which molten metal from the holding portion is circulated by means of an electromagnetic pump (7). Metal enters the well as a tangential flow and a stationary turbulator (10) is located in the path of the flow so as to upwardly and transversely deflect the flow. Resulting turbulence within the well enhances the rate of assimilation of solids into the melt without resulting in excessive oxidation. The method is suitable for melting aluminium swarf.

Abstract: Metal plated steel sheet scraps are heated to a temperature in the range of about 200.degree. C.-500.degree. C. so that organic material adhered to the scraps is evaporated and removed. Then, the scraps from which organic material has been removed are heated to a temperature in the range of about 500.degree. C.-950.degree. C. so that the plated metal, for example zinc or aluminum, is evaporated. The evaporated metal flows to a retrieving device where the evaporated metal is condensed and retrieved.

Abstract: A metallurgical lance incorporates an indirect cooling system, separate from and independent of the reactants which are fed through a center passageway (12) to a melt, bath or the like. An outer passageway (10) extends around the center passageway (12) and its outer wall (14) is exposed to heat flux. A coolant flows through the outer passageway (10). Auxiliary means (22) are positioned within the outer passageway (10) to enhance the take-up of heat from the outer wall (14). The coolant is a two-phase mixture, preferably gas and water. The auxiliary means may be a helical fin (22) or a wire packing within the coolant flow path. Enhanced cooling is achieved by (a) the extended metal surface area provided by the auxiliary means, and/or (b) surface evaporation of a film of liquid deposited on the auxiliary means and/or on the inside of the outer wall (14).

Abstract: A method for decontamination of steel components contaminated with radioactive material comprises the steps:(a) providing a mass of material including:(i) a proportion of steel carrying radioactive material; and(ii) a mass of slag forming material;(b) melting the mass of material, to provide a volume of molten steel and a volume of slag, the radioactive material originally present on the steel migrating to the slag; and(c) separating the slag from the molten steel. The mass of slag forming material is selected to provide a predetermined concentration of radioactive material in the slag. The concentration may be selected to be sufficiently dilute to allow disposal of the slag without restriction.

Abstract: A Ti--Al intermetallic compound has a compressibility of at least 25% at room temperature and a superior high temperature oxidation resistance and consists essentially of about 40 to 52 atomic percent of Ti, about 48 to 60 atomic percent of Al, and 10 to 1000 atomic ppm of at least one of P, As, Se, or Te.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering metal values from ores is described. Comminuted ores are mixed with a liquid to form a pulp. A plurality of streams of pulp are then projected against one another, thereby causing erosion of ore particles in the pulp. A pair of pulp streams preferably emit through nozzles 68, 70 which are coaxially aligned with each other. The nozzles are located in any impact chamber 66. Gas may be supplied to the impact chamber through a gas inlet 72. The chamber may be kept at an elevated pressure, and the gas may be selected in order to facilitate the reaction of reagents in the pulp with the ore. Pulp from the impact chamber passes into a co-axial vertical tube assembly 78, 80 from where it passes back to a tank 50 for continued treatment.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating and recovering nickel and copper values from a nickel-copper matte which may contain iron and arsenic. Finely divided nickel-copper matte is leached in aqueous sulphuric acid solution under oxidizing conditions at atmospheric pressure and at a minimum temperature of about 80.degree. C. to selectively leach nickel from the matte to produce a nickel sulphate solution having a final pH in the range of about 4.0 to 6.5, preferably about 6.5, and to produce a copper-rich sulphide residue. The copper-rich sulphide residue is separated from the nickel sulphate solution and leached in a closed reaction vessel at a minimum temperature of about 120.degree. C. under a non-oxidizing atmosphere in a sulphuric acid solution containing an effective amount of copper and sulphuric acid to provide a terminal concentration of at least about 2 g/L Cu.sup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alloy metal horseshoe for a race horse. The objective of the invention is to provide an alloy metal horseshoe for a race horse, which is light in weight, of great expansibility and hardness, with high abrasion resistance, shock absorption and ductility, capable of being slightly modified to suit the form of the horsehoof at the time of fitting, and that can rationalize the manufacturing process with heat treatment omitted. The horseshoe used a metal alloy made by mixing and dissolving Si:0.05-0.10%, Fe:0.05-0.10%(WT), Cu:0.10-0.20%(WT), Mn:0.10-0.20%(WT), Mg:3.00-5.00%(WT), Cr:0.05-0.15%, Zn:0.05-0.10%, and Al:96.6-94.15%(WT) in an electric furnace.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dispersing cryogenic inert gases over the surface of a bath of molten metal by separating vaporized cryogenic gas from the liquid phase of the gas and introducing the liquid phase and the gaseous phase onto the surface of the molten metal in a swirling pattern. Additional inert gas can be introduced into the middle of the liquid phase.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for improving fluxing gas dispersion in treating molten aluminum by increasing the fluxing gas surface area. The process includes the use of a molten body of aluminum and a gas dispersing unit in the body of molten aluminum, the dispersing unit having at least two, upper and lower dispersers (rotors) mounted on a shaft extending into the molten aluminum. The dispersing unit is rotated, and simultaneously with the rotating, a fluxing gas is added to the molten aluminum adjacent the lower disperser. The fluxing gas is dispersed by the lower disperser to provide finely divided bubbles and then re-dispersed with the upper disperser to effectively increase the fluxing gas surface area in the molten body.

Abstract: A method for removing free lead from a feed stream of used aluminum beverage cans (UBC) to reduce the total lead content of the feed stream. The UBC material is shredded, heated to a temperature above the lead melting point, and agitated to cause the molten lead to fragment and form small particles. The material is then screened to form a second particle stream containing a large percentage of any free lead present in the feed stream and a third particle stream comprised primarily of shredded UBC. The second particle stream is introduced into a fluidized bed to separate the fines from the aluminum particles, the fines containing the majority of the free lead. The aluminum-enriched remaining particles, after separation from the fines, are conveyed for subsequent reprocessing.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast aluminum vehicle wheel uses a high intensity electric infrared heating system to heat treat the wheel. The infrared heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations. A first group of heating stations effects solution heat treating of the wheel, while a second group effects artificial aging. The infrared system enables the solution heat treating and aging to be completed in less than 15 minutes.

Abstract: A high-strength magnesium-based alloy possessing a microcrystalline composition represented by the general formula: Mg.sub.a Al.sub.b M.sub.c or Mg.sub.a,Al.sub.b M.sub.c X.sub.d (wherein M stands for at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ga, Sr, and Ba, X stands for at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Ce, Zr, and Ca, and a, a', b, c, and d stand for atomic percents respectively in the ranges of 78.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.94, 75.ltoreq.a'.ltoreq.94, 2.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.12, 1.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.10, and 0.1.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.3). This alloy can be advantageously produced by rapidly solidifying the melt of an alloy of the composition shown above by the liquid quenching method. It is useful as high-strength materials and highly refractory materials owing to its high hardness, strength, and heat-resistance. It is also useful as materials with high specific strength because of light weight and high strength.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming metallized iron by direct reduction of particulate iron oxide is disclosed. Spent reducing gas is recycled from the reduction furnace through a cooler-scrubber and a catalyst-containing stoichiometric gas reformer. Upon removing the process gas from the cooler-scrubber, it is contacted with a chlorine dioxide spray, then compressed and cooled, the sulfur compound removed, and the process gas recycled either into the furnace cooling zone, or directly into the reformer, or divided and directed into both uses. Thus, most of the sulfur containing components of the spent reducing gas are removed, thereby reducing the sulfur contamination of the gas reformer catalyst. Reducing sulfur contamination of the gas reformer catalyst improves the overall efficiency of the direct reduction process.

Abstract: A device is described for injecting gas into molten metal, e.g. molten aluminum, in a furnace chamber. It comprises: (a) a stirring apparatus having a reservoir chamber separate from the furnace chamber, a connector portion with an orifice connecting the interior of the furnace and the reservoir for the passage of the molten metal between them through the connector portion, vacuum/pressure generating means connected to the reservoir chamber interior for alternatively and successively producing therein a vacuum for drawing molten metal into its interior from the furnace chamber and a positive pressure for expelling the molten metal therefrom into the furnace chamber through the orifice in the form of a high velocity stirring jet, and (b) gas injector means adapted to inject gas into the high velocity stirring jet such that the gas is broken down into a large number of small bubbles which are circulated throughout the furnace chamber with the stirring jet.