Abstract: The apparatus for refining molten metals from insoluble impurities comprises a housing with a detachable base having an opening, a filtering device with a filtering member, mounted on the housing and operatively passing through the opening in the base, mechanisms for actuating the filtering member through rotation about its longitudinal axis and reciprocation along this axis, and a device for removing impurities from the apparatus. In accordance with the invention, a closed-loop trough is made in the detachable base around the opening for the passage of the filtering device, the device for removing impurities from the apparatus being accommodated within this trough.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a housing, a filtering device, mechanisms for driving the filtering device, respectively, through rotation and reciprocation and a device for discharging impurities from the filtering device. The filtering device includes the top and bottom plates spaced from one another, the top plate being mounted on a hollow stem, and the bottom plate being mounted on another stem extending through the hollow one. In accordance with the invention, to adjust the spacing of the plates, the filtering device includes a resilient member supported by the stem extending through the hollow one and adapted to cooperate with the hollow stem so as to maintain the relative position of the plates. The end of the same stem extending through the hollow stem, remote from the bottom plate, carries a first abutment cooperating with the resilient member.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing complex metallic materials, such as, copper-zinc or copper-lead-zinc concentrates and also slag-containing zinc and lead, by melting these materials in an atmosphere of gas containing free oxygen, and reducing the resulting melt by means of a gaseous plasma jet formed, for instance, by nitrogen. The apparatus includes one or several plasmatrons whose nozzles are immersed in the melt at an angle to its surface for agitation of said melt by the plasma jet and for reduction of the metal oxides.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a cooled mould mounted on a bottom plate, a roof mounted on the mould, non-consumable electrodes connected to a power source and introduced into the melting chamber of the mould through sealed apertures in the roof, and a liquid metal pouring system incorporating a metal conduit with a funnel mounted in an aperture in the roof and an inclined chute positioned above the metal conduit funnel. The roof is provided with a gas exhaust pipe and with input funnels for feeding slag and alloying admixtures. The junction between the roof and the mould is sealed. The non-consumable electrodes are arranged around the circumference of the melting chamber for vertical movement, whereas the inclined chute is adapted to move in the horizontal plane.The enclosed melting chamber makes it possible to reduce heat losses and to maintain a controlled atmosphere within the mould.

Abstract: A method for processing complex metallic materials, such as, copper-zinc or copper-lead-zinc concentrates and also slag-containing zinc and lead, by melting these materials in an atmosphere of gas containing free oxygen, and reducing the resulting melt by means of a gaseous plasma jet formed, for instance, by nitrogen. An apparatus includes one or several plasmatrons whose nozzles are immersed in the melt at an angle to its surface for agitation of said melt by the plasma jet and for reduction of the metal oxides.