Abstract: An automatic dross processing system has a pivotably-mounted reaction vessel and a vertically movable motor and impeller. A microprocessor controls the operation of the motor and a series of actuators that move the motor vertically, move a probe that removes a plug to drain collected metal from the reaction vessel, and move the reaction vessel between a loading-and-processing position and a dumping position. The microprocessor coordinates the actions of these elements to complete a dross processing cycle to recover metal from a dross without requiring the attention of an operator throughout the process. The reaction vessel can have an inner shell and an outer shell that are bolted together with a gap therebetween to accommodate insulation, which can include a felt overlying one or more pieces of rigid material. A drain tube can be attached to the inner shell by an accordion-like structure to reduce thermal stresses in service.

Abstract: A dross processing system has a motor mounted to a motor support arm by a motor support carriage, and has a carriage guide which engages the motor support carriage to guide the motor along a vertical path between a raised position and a lowered position. The motor is moved by a motor height actuator connected between the motor support arm and the motor support carriage. A hood having a hood rim and a hood upper structure is configured to be engaged by the motor support carriage when moved to the raised position. When the motor is moved to the lowered position, the hood rim engages a reaction vessel upper rim. The motor support arm can rotate between a loading/dumping position and an operating position. The dross processing system can be partially automated by a microprocessor. A preferred impeller for agitating dross and a plug setting tool can be employed.

Abstract: A dross processing system has a substantially vertical support positioned in close proximity to a furnace. A reaction vessel is mounted to the substantially vertical support by a reaction vessel support. The reaction vessel preferably has a substantially vertical sidewall and a bottom member having a sealable port. The reaction vessel is preferably fabricated of stainless steel sheet stock, and can have expanded metal sheet welded to the outside or can have a dual-shell structure. The reaction vessel is retained in a horizontal position for loading metal-bearing dross, and can pivot to dump spent dross. The reaction vessel support can be rotatably mounted with respect to the furnace to allow the reaction vessel to be swung away from the furnace for dumping. In one embodiment, the reaction vessel can also be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A portable dross processing system has a support frame with a base and an upper support. A pair of wheels are mounted to the base, and a steering wheel can be pivotably mounted to the base. A dross receiving crucible is mounted in a crucible frame which is pivotably mounted to the upper support. The crucible has a sidewall and a bottom having a port. The crucible may be formed from a mounting rim of steel plate to which a metal mesh reservoir form is attached. The mesh is then covered with moldable refractory cloth, over which a ceramic wash is applied. A finishing wash is applied to the crucible interior. Preheated dross is loaded into the crucible while in a dross loading position. The dross is preferably mixed with an exothermic compound and stirred to promote coalescence of the entrapped metal. After the molten metal forms a pool in the bottom of the crucible, the port is opened to drain the metal. The port can be opened by a closure plate slidably engaging a pair of channels and supporting a port plug.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved filtering vessel for filtering molten metal. The filtering vessel of the present invention is provided with a partition and fitted with a removable filter blade. The partition provides support for the removable filter blade. The removable filter blade contains a filter element. Molten metal is filtered by passing through the filter element contained in the removable filter blade. Molten metal can be made to pass through the filter element by the appropriate application of pressure to the surface of the unfiltered molten metal, by tilting the vessel in such a manner as to cause hydrostatic pressure to force unfiltered molten metal through the filter element, or by removing filtered molten metal with a ladle and thereby causing a differential hydrostatic pressure between the region of the vessel containing filtered molten metal and the region of the vessel containing unfiltered molten metal.

Abstract: The molten metal transfer crucible of the present invention filters molten metal during transfer of the molten metal to a receptacle such as a mold. The molten metal transfer crucible of the present invention is fitted with an external removable filter blade. The removable filter blade contains a filter element and is positioned with respect to an inlet in the transfer crucible such that molten metal is filtered by passing through the filter element contained in the blade while the crucible is being filled with molten metal. During operation molten metal can be intermittently back-flushed through the filter element contained in the blade. Back-flushing molten metal through the filter element extends the life of the filter element, and thereby increases the hours the transfer crucible may be operated between blade changes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering molten metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a filtering vessel, a portion of which is a porous filter material. Attached to the rim of the filtering vessel is a shock resistant ring. The filtering vessel is positioned such that the porous filter material is submerged in the molten metal, and the rim is held above the surface of the molten metal by a brace which is attached to a fixed bracket.The molten metal is filtered by seeping through the porous filter material into the filtering vessel. The filtered molten metal is extracted from the filtering vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for intersecting and filtering a molten metal stream. The apparatus includes a filtering vessel, which is fitted with a filter element. Means are provided for dampening the momentum of the molten metal stream so that the filter element is not damaged by impact with the molten metal stream. When not in use the filtering vessel can be placed within a molten metal bath for preheating. The present invention can be used to filter molten metal that is being intermittently transferred.

Abstract: The improved crucible of the present invention both filters molten metal during the transfer of the molten metal from a supply receptacle such as a melting furnace to a receiving receptacle such as a mold. The transfer crucible of the present invention may be either portable or permanently mounted. The present invention relates to both the design of the improved transfer crucible and to the method for using the improved transfer crucible. The transfer crucible of the present invention is fitted with one or more removable blades, each of which contains a filter element. Molten metal can be filtered while the crucible is being filled with molten metal, during transfer of molten metal, or if desired molten metal can be filtered both on entry into and on exit from the transfer crucible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hoist to be used in combination with an apparatus for filtering molten metal. The hoist of the present invention is used both to position the filtering vessel, and to back-flushing metal through the filter element. The present invention also relates to the method of back-flushing. Back-flushing serves to dislodge particulate and thereby clean the filter element. When the filtering vessel is submerged in a molten metal bath back flushing serves to aid the exchange of the molten metal interior to the filtering vessel with the molten metal exterior to the filtering vessel, and in so doing aids in minimizing the temperature difference between molten metal interior and exterior to the molten metal filtering vessel. Periodic back-flushing significantly extends the life of the molten metal filtering apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved filter element for use in an apparatus for filtering molten metal, and to the method of making such filter element. The apparatus consists of a filtering vessel fitted with a filter element. In one embodiment of the present invention the improved filter element is pre-wet with metal prior to the filtering apparatus being introduced into service. In a second embodiment of the present invention the improved filter element is reinforced with one or more reinforcing members. The improved filter element can be used in filtering vessels having a variety of designs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering molten metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a crucible, a portion of which is a porous filter material. Attached to the rim of the crucible is a shock resistant ring. The crucible is positioned such that the porous filter material is submerged in the molten metal, and the rim is held above the surface of the molten metal by a brace which is attached to a fixed bracket.The molten metal is filtered by seeping through the porous filter material into the crucible. The filtered molten metal is extracted from the crucible.