Abstract: Conventional aluminum smelting cells are retrofitted with inert anode assemblies which replace the consumable carbon anodes of the cell. The inert anode assemblies may include multiple inert anodes, and may also include insulation for reducing heat loss during operation of the retrofit cells.

Abstract: Conventional aluminum smelting cells are retrofitted with inert anode assemblies which replace the consumable carbon anodes of the cell. The inert anode assemblies may include multiple inert anodes, and may also include insulation for reducing heat loss during operation of the retrofit cells.

Abstract: A mobile bottom closure/support includes a metal disc-shaped body, having at its top a suitable diameter for allowing the body to be translated inside a crystallizer-collar and having, at its bottom, a larger diameter. The disc-shaped body includes a pair of disc-shaped plates made from metal materials with different values of heat conductivity and concentrically superimposed to each other. The upper disc-shaped plate has at least a portion of its external cylindrical surface with such a diameter as to enable the plate to be translated inside the crystallizer-collar. The lower disc-shaped plate has a greater diameter, suitable for enabling the disc-shaped body to remain guided, coaxially with the collar, between vertical trueing elements angularly spaced apart from one another and integral with the collar.

Abstract: Apparatus for casting light alloys in water, of the type including a cooling water tank used in order to cool a die or ingot mold inserted under tight sealing conditions inside the water tank, and anchored to the water tank. The apparatus uses a water tank which is arranged separate and spaced apart from a casting basin such as to create an air space between the cooling water tank and the basin. The die has a cap or sleeve, inserted inside the water tank under tightly sealing conditions, which have a length that a portion thereof will protrude above the top plane of the water tank. This forms an annular, raised edge, which is high enough as to prevent any possible water leaks between the water tank and the die. Water is prevented from flowing above the annular edge and penetrating the die, consequently causing explosions and/or the projection of liquid metal jets through the casting channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for on-line degassing and filtering aluminum and its alloys, constituted by a thermally insulated container body, provided with a removable lid (2) incorporating heating means (7) for heating the metal to be processed, said container body being internally subdivided, by means of a vertical partitioning wall (11) into two chambers communicating with each other only near the bottom of the container, wherein in one of said two chambers, provided with an inlet for the liquid metal to be processed, injection means (13, 14) are provided, for injecting inert, and/or active gases, which are so located as to perform a degassing in countercurrent relatively to the entering metal stream, while at the bottom of the second chamber at least a substantially horizontal plate, or wall (12) is provided, made of a porous material, such as ceramic, graphite, or the like, which is positioned spaced apart from the bottom of the container, such to allow the metal, coming from the first chamber, to flow upwards, and pass t