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: An improved method for extracting lithium from aluminum-lithium alloys includes providing an electrorefining cell which contains a cathode comprising a pure molten tin pool and a source of lithium from a molten aluminum-lithium alloy. The lithium is extracted from the Al-Li alloy by applying an electric current through the electrorefining cell whereby lithium dissolves from the molten Al-Li alloy into the tin pool and forms a tin-lithium alloy. The formed Sn-Li alloy may be recovered by casting under a salt layer and cooled to solidification. In a further aspect, the recovered Sn-Li alloy may be processed to further recover lithium therefrom by either electrolytic recovery in a separate electrolytic cell, vacuum distillation or a chemical extraction process.

Abstract: A mold for the casting of aluminum sow ingots includes a mold box having a bottom wall and side walls that define a generally rectangular mold cavity. The bottom wall includes a central raised longitudinally extending protrusion and side longitudinally extending protrusions adapted to define corresponding depressions in the ingot bottom. The side depressions establish ledges for receiving a pair of fork lift blades or tines entering the ledges from either transverse side of the ingot perpendicular to the ledges. A pair of transversely extending protrusions in the mold bottom wall establish corresponding transverse depressions in the mold bottom that are perpendicular to the central longitudinal depression and equispaced from the central transverse axis by a distance enabling the pair of fork lift blades to enter the transverse depressions from a direction perpendicular to either of the longitudinally extending ingot sides to provide a dual entry feature for ease of handling.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the temperatures within a molten metal pool at various vertical levels within the pool is disclosed. The probe includes a plurality of vertically spaced thermocouples protruding from the surface of a refractory block. Also disclosed is a support mechanism for positioning and maintaining the temperature probe within the molten metal pool.

Abstract: Spent salt flux from aluminum production has its oxides, aluminum and salt components recovered by dissolving the soluble components in water and evaporating the water to recover the salt components thereof while screening and crushing the insoluble components to separate the aluminum and oxides.

Abstract: A conventional cross-flow or paired-stage multi-stage flash evaporator plant is provided with duct means for collecting distillate from collection trays in the successive evaporator units in the plant. Distillate from individual units is diverted to a bypass flow path from the duct means when it is detected to be contaminated with brine.

Abstract: A paired stage flash evaporator unit is provided with an elongated shell having respective higher temperature and lower temperature evaporation chambers extending along a bottom portion of the shell space and separated from each other by an interstage elongated partition wall. A condenser tube bundle extends longitudinally between opposite shell end walls in an upper portion of the shell space. A transverse interstage partition separates the tube bundle into separate condenser chambers. Each condenser chamber is paired with an evaporation chamber by means of shroud and other isolation structure thereby forming two paired stages in the unit.In each stage, a liquid separator mesh extends coextensively with the evaporation chamber and both condenser chambers to direct vapor from the evaporation chamber into a flow path above the mesh.

Abstract: A paired stage flash evaporator unit is provided with an elongated shell having respective higher temperature and lower temperature evaporation chambers extending along a bottom portion of the shell space and separated from each other by an interstage elongated partition wall. A condenser tube bundle extends longitudinally between opposite shell end walls in an upper portion of the shell space. A transverse interstage partition separates the tube bundle into separate condenser chambers. Each condenser chamber is paired with an evaporation chamber by means of shroud and other isolation structure thereby forming two paired stages in the unit.In each stage, a liquid separator mesh extends coextensively with the evaporation chamber and both condenser chambers to direct vapor from the evaporation chamber into a flow path above the mesh. A distillate collection tray is supported beneath the tube bundle and it is divided into stage-separated tray portions by the transverse interstage partition.