Abstract: The present invention provides an improved alkali metal dispenser which is pure and free of contaminant gases, and provides for controlled releasing, delivery and recycling of the alkali metal in multiple stages in a controlled manner. The present invention also provides an alkali metal pump or getter.

Abstract: Reinforced crucibles for melting titanium alloys having a facecoat including at least one facecoat layer, a backing including at least one backing layer, and at least one reinforcing element applied to at least a portion of one or more of the facecoat layer, the backing layer, or a combination thereof where the reinforcing element includes at least one composition selected from ceramic compositions, metallic compositions, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In the case of a device for the melting and/or crystallizing of non-ferrous metals, especially of silicon, provision is made, for improving the quality of the crystallized and block-shaped non-ferrous metal, for there to be arranged around a container for receiving the non-ferrous metal at least one controllable cooling element for the active removal of heat from the non-ferrous metal.

Abstract: A degasser (10) for molten metal with a microporous plate (11). The microporous plate has at least one internal passageway (13) and an interface tube (12) attached to the microporous plate in flow communication with the internal passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting particulate and/or gaseous material into a metallurgical vessel for performing a metallurgical process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a duct and an annular duct tip at a forward end of the duct. The apparatus also comprises inner and outer cooling water flow passages configured such that out flowing water passing from the duct tip to a rear end of the duct must travel through a longer flow path than inflowing water passing from the rear end of the duct to the duct tip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and apparatus for providing heat to a molten metal flowing through metal-conveying apparatus. The apparatus includes a molten metal-conveying channel, an enclosure for receiving and circulating combustion gases while preventing entry of the gases into said channel, a heat-conductive body of material separating at least part of the channel from the enclosure; and a combustion device for generating combustion gases and delivering the gases to the enclosure. Heat from the combustion gases is used to heat molten metal held in the channel, while preventing contact between the combustion gases and the molten metal. The body of material may be a trough used to form the channel, a tube for conveying the molten metal, or a tube acting as the enclosure, or the like.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming wires, such as wires used as feedstock in welding, brazing, and coating deposition processes. The process and apparatus generally entail feeding through a passage a quantity of powder particles of a size and composition that render the particles susceptible to microwave radiation. As the particles travel through the passage, the particles within the passage are subjected to microwave radiation so that the particles couple with the microwave radiation and are sufficiently heated to melt at least a radially outermost quantity of particles within the passage. The particles are then cooled so that the radially outermost quantity of particles solidifies to yield a wire having a consolidated outermost region surrounding an interior region of the wire.

Abstract: A material scrap submergence device comprises a body (10) of heat resistant and/or a refractory material that includes a side wall (12) and a base (14) that define a submergence chamber (10). The refractory body (10) can include passages (24) that receive rods (22). The rods (22) can place the refractory body (10) under compression. In another embodiment, the body is confined by a frame (72) attached to the body. The submergence chamber (10) can also be used as a gas injection chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for charging hot direct reduced iron (HDRI) from hot transport vessels (HTVs) into a melter or finisher. In general, the apparatus includes a charging stand including a plurality of bays for receiving and supporting a plurality of HTVs. Each HTV includes at least an outlet port. This outlet port is configured to engage an inlet port of one of the plurality of bays of the charging stand via a telescoping seal that provides a substantially air-tight seal. A feed device is provided that moves the HDRI disposed within the HTVs from the outlet port/inlet port interface to a melter or finisher, such as an electric arc furnace (EAF) or the like. The charging stand also includes one or more load cells operable for weighing the HTVs and the HDRI disposed therein, such that a computer or other logic may be used to control the feed rate of the HDRI charged into the melter or finisher.

Abstract: An oxygen fueled combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner, an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a predetermined purity, and a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel. The oxygen and the carbon based fuel are fed into the furnace in a stoichiometric proportion to one another to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to less than 5 percent over the stoichiometric proportion. The combustion of the carbon based fuel provides a flame temperature in excess of 4500° F. The exhaust gas stream from the furnace has substantially zero nitrogen-containing combustion produced gaseous compounds from the oxidizing agent and reduced green-house gases. Substantially less carbon based fuel is required than conventional combustion systems without a loss of energy output.

Abstract: The following invention relates to an injector-burner for applications in the metalwork field, in particular for use in electric arc furnace melting processes having a frontal head with two series of holes arranged in two concentric crowns, the inner crown of holes used to feed fuel and the outer crown used to supply a supporter of combustion. A central hole is also provided, which is fitted with an oxygen injection nozzle. The holes of the two crowns are divided into groups separated by circular sectors without holes, in order to create a number of flames and are inclined in such a way as to give the gases supplied, and consequentially the flame generated, a rotation around the injector-burner axis. By regulating the flow-rates of the fuel and the supporter of combustion supplied to the various holes, the injector-burner is able to regulate the flame shape in burner mode and also in injection mode, thus guaranteeing optimum performance in all modes.

Abstract: A method of heating molten aluminum flowing in a heated trough member comprising the steps of providing a source of molten aluminum and providing a rough member comprised of a first side and a second side, the first and the second sides having outside surfaces, the sides formed from a ceramic material resistant to attack by molten aluminum. The first side and second side have heating element receptacles provided therein with protection tubes provided in the receptacles. The protection tubes are comprised of a refractory selected from the group consisting of mullite, boron nitride, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, graphite, silicon aluminum oxynitride or a metal selected from Kovar® and titanium. Electric heating elements are positioned in the tubes. Molten aluminum is flowed along the trough member from the source and electric power is passed to the heating elements to heat the molten aluminum as it flows along the trough member.

Abstract: A trough is described for carrying molten metal, comprising an outer shell defined by a bottom wall and two side walls, an insulating layer filling the outer shell and a conductive U-shaped refractory trough body for carrying molten metal, the trough body being embedded in the insulating layer. At least one heating element is positioned in the insulating layer, adjacent to but spaced apart from the trough body, to provide an air gap between the heating element and the trough body.

Abstract: An oxygen fueled combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner, an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a predetermined purity, and a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel. The oxygen and the carbon based fuel are fed into the furnace in a stoichiometric proportion to one another to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to less than 5 percent over the stoichiometric proportion. The combustion of the carbon based fuel provides a flame temperature in excess of 4500° F. The exhaust gas stream from the furnace has substantially zero nitrogen-containing combustion produced gaseous compounds from the oxidizing agent and reduced green-house gases. Substantially less carbon based fuel is required than conventional combustion systems without a loss of energy output.

Abstract: In a metal melting furnace, a separation wall 60 is provided between an inclined hearth 30 and a molten metal reservoir 35 to define a molten metal processing portion 65. The separation wall is provided with a connecting passage 61 for the molten metal, between the molten metal reservoir and the molten metal processing portion, at a height level higher than a bottom surface 67 of the molten metal processing portion. The separation wall is also provided on its upper portion with an exhaust gas passage which permits exhaust gas discharged from the molten metal reservoir to pass therethrough. An inspection opening 31 with a door 32 is provided in a furnace wall surface 37W to open into the molten metal processing portion.

Abstract: The invention is a heat exchanger system suitable for iron making furnaces and their supporting exhaust and cooling system. The heat exchanger has at least one panel of sinuously winding piping having an inlet and an outlet, an input manifold in fluid communication with the inlet of the at least one panel, an output manifold in fluid communication with the outlet of the panel, a cooling fluid flowing through the piping, and a stream of hot exhaust gasses flowing over the piping. In application, the heat exchanger system has at least one panel that is mounted to an interior side of a wall, and is in fluid communication with the output and the input manifolds that are on an exterior side of the wall. The wall typically is a wall of a steel making furnace, a furnace roof, a smoke ring exhaust port, a straight section of an exhaust duct, and a curved section of an exhaust duct.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous fabrication of homogeneous thin flake or powder electrolyte material from inorganic salt, metallic or similar materials or from mixtures of such materials for use in Carbonate Fuel Cell (“CFC”) power plants. Electrolyte precursor powders are fed to a continuous blender type mixer using precision metering equipment that controls material feed rates. The homogenous mixture of blended powders is then fed into a high temperature melting tank in which the mixture is melted, forming the desired molten eutectic composition. The liquid eutectic melt drips from the melting tank through ceramic or metallic nozzles and splat-cools on a rotating, water-cooled metal cylinder to produce uniform size, thin flake material. The thin flake electrolyte material can be used as-is, or it may be further processed using continuous grinding and powder fabrication equipment.

Abstract: An oxygen fueled combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner, an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a predetermined purity, and a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel. The oxygen and the carbon based fuel are fed into the furnace in a stoichiometric proportion to one another to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to less than 5 percent over the stoichiometric proportion. The combustion of the carbon based fuel provides a flame temperature in excess of 4500° F. The exhaust gas stream from the furnace has substantially zero nitrogen-containing combustion produced gaseous compounds from the oxidizing agent and reduced green-house gases. Substantially less carbon based fuel is required than conventional combustion systems without a loss of energy output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimized mixing in a common hearth in a plasma furnace. The apparatus provides a main hearth, a plurality of optional refining hearths, and a plurality of casting molds or direct molds whereby the refining hearths and molds define at least two separate ingot making lines. A feed chute provides raw material to the main hearth, whereby the feed chute is moveable to optimize its position during operation of the main hearth. Most particularly, the feed chute is moveable to provide better mixing, minimize skull build-up, and optimally place it opposite the overflow in use.

Abstract: A Preheater-Steelmaking Furnace and closed loop Process System for semi-continuous melting of integrally preheated recycled or virgin ferrous charge, by using highly energy efficient combustion process of natural gas combusted by oxygen as the main heat source, after preheating of the cold charge, by fully exploiting thermal energies of the melting process off-gases, in a gas tight, low noise, ecologically friendly PSF with scant CO and drastically reduced CO2 in exhaust gases for semi-continuous, batch self-charging, sealed pairs of eccentrically rotating quasi cylindrical, permeable half drums hoppers creating separate preheating chambers.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel for transporting molten metals with a metal jacket with a heat-resistant lining is disclosed. The jacket has two reinforcing rings extending in the peripheral direction and being secured to and integrated in the jacket. The vessel also has two one-part shield segments, each affixed to at least to one of two stiffening rings. The shield segments include arms that extend in both peripheral directions and are provided with a welding edge for welding to the stiffening rings. Two lifting lugs are disposed on the exterior of the vessel on opposing sides thereof and supported by the stiffening rings. A stiffening ring can be implemented as two 120° segments connected at their ends to the two shield segments which each extend over 60° along the periphery.

Abstract: A ladle for containing molten material, particularly aluminum, and a method for forming the ladle. The ladle is formed from stainless steel, and particularly 10 gauge ASTM/ASI grade 304 stainless steel in plate form. The ladle is formed from pre-cut metal parts which are welded together using TIG welding on the inside seams and metal inert gas welding on the outside seams. The welds extend through the ladle walls and completely incorporate the ladle parts while being essentially free of cracks.

Abstract: An oxygen fueled combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner, an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a predetermined purity, and a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel. The oxygen and the carbon based fuel are fed into the furnace in a stoichiometric proportion to one another to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to less than 5 percent over the stoichiometric proportion. The combustion of the carbon based fuel provides a flame temperature in excess of 4500° F. The exhaust gas stream from the furnace has substantially zero nitrogen-containing combustion produced gaseous compounds from the oxidizing agent and reduced green-house gases. Substantially less carbon based fuel is required than conventional combustion systems without a loss of energy output.

Abstract: A Preheater-Steelmaking Furnace and closed loop Process System for semi-continuous melting of integrally preheated recycled or virgin ferrous charge, by using highly energy efficient combustion process of natural gas combusted by oxygen as the main heat source, after preheating of the cold charge, by fully exploiting thermal energies of the melting process off-gases, in a gas tight, low noise, ecologically friendly PSF with scant CO and drastically reduced CO2 in exhaust gases for semi-continuous, batch self-charging, sealed pairs of eccentrically rotating quasi cylindrical, permeable half drums hoppers creating separate preheating chambers.

Abstract: An electroslag refining apparatus includes upper and lower integral crucibles, with the lower crucible having a drain. In situ hot start is effected by depositing in the lower crucible a pre-refined starter. The starter is melted in the lower crucible to form a starter pool, and slag is deposited atop the starter pool for being melted thereby to develop a slag pool thereatop. An ingot electrode is lowered through the upper crucible to immerse a tip thereof into the slag pool. The electrode is powered to effect resistance heating of the slag pool to melt the electrode tip. The slag and starter pools are increased in volume into the upper crucible, with the drain then being opened to effect steady state operation.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, multi-oxy-fuel High Temperature Power Burner/Injector/Oxygen Lance, Mechanical System Apparatus Device, for steelmaking from recycled scrap and/or virgin ferrous charge, which can be employed in multi-oxy-fuel (natural gas; pulverized carbonaceous matter; heavy oil), especially by Oxygen Combusted mixture of Natural Gas/Pulverized Carbonaceous Matter in High Temperature Power Burner Mode, for efficient and rapid melting of solid ferrous charge (cold or preheated) in a special steelmaking Metallurgical Furnace or Open Hearth Furnace, Tandem Furnace, BOF, EAF, as its augmenting or only source of thermal energy; more than one Device in Oxygen-Natural Gas/Pulverized Carbonaceous Matter Power Burner Mode, can be employed as the only source of thermal energy in a modified, originally Electric Arc Furnace, as total replacement of Graphite Electrodes and Electric Arc System, the replacement being noticeably more primary energy efficient than the thermal energy provided by Graphite Electrode/Arc Syste

Abstract: A method capable of suppressing damages to furnace wall refractories in a melting furnace and making the working life of them longer and a technique capable of obtaining a molten iron with homogenized composition while keeping a high productivity upon arc heating a pre-reducing iron in a melting furnace to obtain a molten iron, the method comprising supplying a pre-reducing iron to a stationary non-tilting type melting furnace and melting the iron by an arc heating mainly composed of radiation heating, the melting being performed while keeping a refractory wearing index RF represented by the following equation at 400 MWV/m2 or less.

Abstract: A metal melting closed furnace which includes a main chamber, a circulation wall connected to the main chamber by a communications passageway and a vortex well having a exit outlet for molten metal into the main chamber. A cover is emplaced over the vortex well. An inert gas bubble activated molten metal pump is provided in which there is an entry port in the circulation well and exit port tangentially arranged with respect to the periphery of the cavity. This exit port will typically be at or near the top of the vortex well. In order to reduce oxidation, inert gas bubbles are captured from this molten metal pump and are transported to an inert gas atmosphere or blanket above the molten metal vortex.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sublimation refining which gives a high-purity product in high yield while preventing corrosion of the apparatus, contamination of the product and change in quality of the product and to an apparatus useful for the method. The apparatus of this invention for sublimation refining comprises a heat generating unit made of a material generating heat by electromagnetic induction, sublimating unit A and collecting units B and C, respectively independently controllable in temperature by electromagnetic induction heating and the inner surface or the inner tube of the sublimating or collecting unit is made of a material like metal and ceramic inert to sublimable substances.

Abstract: A base of a metallurgical vessel having a direct-current arc device whose cathode projects into the vessel and in whose fire-resistant lining on the base at least one anode is arranged, one end of which, passing through the vessel wall, touches metallic melt located in the vessel, and the other end of which can be connected to cooling fluid supply sources and is attached in an electrically insulated manner to the vessel wall via holding elements. A sleeve is provided which does not conduct electric current, sheaths that part of the anode which projects into the metallurgical vessel and, in the process of forming an outlet channel, is arranged at a distance sufficiently far away from the anode that low-melting-point metals, mainly lead, can flow out of the vessel without being impeded.

Abstract: The melter furnace includes a heating chamber (16), a pump chamber (18), a degassing chamber (20), and a filter chamber (22). The pump chamber (18) is located adjacent the heating chamber (16) and houses a molten metal pump (30). The degassing chamber (20) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the pump chamber (18), and houses a degassing mechanism (36). The filter chamber (22) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the degassing chamber (20). The filter chamber (22) includes a molten metal filter (38). The melter furnace (12) is used to supply molten metal to an externally located holder furnace (14), which then recirculates molten metal back to the melter furnace (12).

Abstract: A method of heating molten aluminum flowing in a heated trough member comprising the steps of providing a source of molten aluminum and providing a rough member comprised of a first side and a second side, the first and the second sides having outside surfaces, the sides formed from a ceramic material resistant to attack by molten aluminum. The first side and second side have heating element receptacles provided therein with protection tubes provided in the receptacles. The protection tubes are comprised of a refractory selected from the group consisting of mullite, boron nitride, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, graphite, silicon aluminum oxynitride or a metal selected from Kovar® and titanium. Electric heating elements are positioned in the tubes. Molten aluminum is flowed along the trough member from the source and electric power is passed to the heating elements to heat the molten aluminum as it flows along the trough member.

Abstract: An oxygen fueled combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner, an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a predetermined purity, and a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel. The oxygen and the carbon based fuel are fed into the furnace in a stoichiometric proportion to one another to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to less than 5 percent over the stoichiometric proportion. The combustion of the carbon based fuel provides a flame temperature in excess of 4500° F. The exhaust gas stream from the furnace has substantially zero nitrogen-containing combustion produced gaseous compounds from the oxidizing agent and reduced green-house gases. Substantially less carbon based fuel is required than conventional combustion systems without a loss of energy output.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging feed material through an opening into a furnace has a fixed structure and a moveable door. The moveable door together with the fixed structure defines the opening. The moveable door is mounted for movement toward and away from the fixed structure to widen and narrow the opening. The moveable door is biased toward the fixed structure. The moveable door and the fixed structure create a V-shaped downwardly pointing channel to direct the feed material being fed through the opening by gravity.

Abstract: An ion source 2 has a heating furnace 4 for annealing a solid material 6 to generate a steam 8 and a plasma generator 16 for ionizing the steam 8 to generate a plasma 24. The ion source 2 is for generating ion beam. An indium trifluoride is used as said solid material which has been once heated at temperature in the range of 600° C. to lower than 1170° C., thereby enabling to generate the indium ion beam in a stable amount. For the solid material 6, In(OF)xF3-x (x is 1, 2 or 3) may be used.

Abstract: The invention comprises an electric heating assembly having improved heat transfer, the heater comprised of a receptacle for containing amalgam heat transfer media. An amalgam heat transfer media is provided in the receptacle for purposes of heat transfer. An electric heating element is located in the amalgam. When the amalgam reaches a solidified condition, a receptacle or mold is not required for the electric heating assembly.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy sheet and a method for producing an aluminum alloy sheet. The aluminum alloy sheet is useful for forming into drawn and ironed container bodies. The sheet preferably has an after-bake yield strength of at least about 37 ksi and an elongation of at least about 2 percent. Preferably, the sheet also has earing of less than about 2 percent.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite metallic ultrafine particles which have excellent dispersion stability and can be produced on an industrial scale, and a process for producing the same, and a method and an apparatus for forming an interconnection with use of the same. A surface of a core metal produced from a metallic salt, a metallic oxide, or a metallic hydroxide and having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm is covered with an organic compound including a functional group having chemisorption capability onto the surface of the core metal.

Abstract: A melting apparatus having a compact structure, of economical equipment cost, enabling to vacuum melting and refining at high productivity. A metal melting apparatus has a structure in which a refractory furnace wall 12 is furnished on an outer circumference thereof with a seal jacket 16 of air tight and non-electrical conductivity, and disposed with vertical water cooling copper pipes 47 along the inner circumference of the seal jacket 16 at predetermined space, and the furnace casing 10 is arranged at the outer part to encircle the furnace casing with an induction heating coil 38, and the furnace casing 10 is secured to a frame 42 by means of the seal jacket 16 for reinforcing the structure. The seal jacket 16 of the furnace casing 10 is fixed to the frame via an upper flange 44 and a lower flange 28.

Abstract: An inert vessel for treating an oxidizable liquid metal includes a vessel body and a lid mounted thereon with bearing surfaces at a junction therebetween, the body and lid each including a metal wall having an inner face coated with a refractory lining. The vessel further includes movable auxiliary equipment passing through the lid, and optionally the body, with the vessel body including inlet and outlet means for the liquid metal and external atmosphere. An inflatable seal is disposed between the lid and the vessel body housed in a peripheral receptacle, the peripheral receptacle including at least one wall which is an extension of the lid, and at least one other wall which is an extension of the vessel body, the seal when inflated directly contacting the wall which is the extension of the lid and the wall which is the extension of the vessel body, and being directly adjacent the vessel body adjacent the junction.

Abstract: An apparatus for vitrifying heavy-metal-containing residues having a chlorine content above 10% by mass, in particular from flue gas cleaning, which are melted in a melting furnace, the constituents which cannot be incorporated into the melt are separated in the main furnace into two fractions, the first fraction comprising the readily volatile components and the second fraction comprising the salt-like less volatile components, and the first fraction is evaporated off, conducted out of the furnace together with the exhaust gas and collected as condensate, and the second fraction is separated from the surface of the melt as liquid salt and is discharged.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting and dispensing thermoplastic materials such as thermoplastic adhesives referred to as “hot melt” adhesives. More specifically this invention relates to a one piece melter tank which is suspended from the top of a chassis which also serves as the housing for the entire assembly of the melting and dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: The present apparatus is comprised by two magnetic induction sets, one for melting of the raw material and the second for purification of molten metal; each set comprises a pot or crucible (1, 1'), an electromagnetic device, a filter (11) and a power supply; each crucible (1, 1') is surrounded in the lower part by a hollow permanent magnet (3, 3') in which three pairs of electromagnets facing each other are arranged; the process consists of the following stages: a) charging of metallic raw material inside a crucible (1); b) electromagnetic induction heating to melt the metallic raw material (2) inside crucible (1) through a three-phase magnetic system creating a horizontal travelling or pules magnetic field which builds a turbulent flux inside the melt (2'); c) whirling stirring of melt (2') by electromagnetic induction and purification of it via extraction of hydrogen and of non-electroconductive inclusions by coagulation of them in agglomerates; d) discharging of purified melt (2') by a magneto-hydrodynamic

Abstract: Specialty metals and alloys are melted in a crucible typically holding no more than about 100 lbs. of the metal and disposed in a furnace the interior of which is filled with a desired, e.g. inert, gas and subjected to a vacuum in the range of about 5% to 32% of atmospheric pressure. For special circumstances, it would be possible to start in the specified pressure range and then increase the melt chamber pressure to atmospheric or above. The vacuum permits the initiation and formation of long electric discharge arcs between the electrode of an immovable plasma torch mounted to the furnace and the inside of the crucible to provide enough space for charging of the crucible with fresh metal laterally through a charge opening in the upright side wall of the furnace and a vacuum chamber operatively connected with the charge opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reclaiming metal chips formed while machining metal castings to their finished shape. The apparatus includes a stationary charging tube extending in a generally perpendicular direction from the charge well of a reverbratory furnace. The lower end of the charging tube is attached to a box-shaped structure which has an open bottom. The sides of the structure extend into a pool of molten metal contained in the charge well. A variable rate feeder provides a continuous supply of metal chips to the charging tube at a rate which is essentially the same as the rate at which the chips are being produced. The chips form a column within the charging tube which extends through the box-shaped structure and into the pool of molten metal. As the chips at the bottom of the column are melted, additional chips are added to the top, forcing the bottom of the column of chips into the pool of molten metal.

Abstract: A facility to process metal wastes is provided. The facility includes an inclined heat-insulated casing with a door and a cover, which can be displaced and removed. The inner surface of the casing is provided with removable sheets which form the inner facing (reflectors) of the casing and which are made of metal bead-formed sheets. Inside the casing, on a cantilever-supported shaft, is installed a melting drum, which can be mounted or removed from the shaft both charged and empty. The drum can be charged through the open cover when the casing door is open, while inside the casing it is kept installed on the shaft. A cross-shaped member for stiffening the drum is used also for mixing. The drum is heated via a burner and the heating is controlled with a temperature sensor and by means of an automatic control unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a melting furnace of metals and melting method thereof, which can control the rate at which a metallic raw material is introduced from a preheating section to a melting section within an optimum range and which can achieve efficient melting of the metallic raw material using oxygen burners only. The metal melting furnace has a melting section (22) provided with oxygen burners (21) and a preheating section (23) for preheating the metallic raw material located above the melting section, with a reduced section (24), having an inner diameter smaller than those of the melting section (22) and of the preheating section (23), being located between the melting section (22) and the preheating section (23).

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous heating and melting of a solid mixed waste bearing radioactive and hazardous materials to form separate metallic, slag and gaseous phases for producing compact forms of the waste material to facilitate disposal includes a copper split water-cooled (cold) crucible as a reaction vessel for receiving the waste material. The waste material is heated by means of the combination oaf plasma torch directed into the open upper portion of the cold crucible and an electromagnetic flux produced by induction coils disposed about the crucible which is transparent to electromagnetic fields. A metallic phase of the waste material is formed in a lower portion of the crucible and is removed in the form of a compact ingot suitable for recycling and further processing. A glass-like, non-metallic slag phase containing radioactive elements is also formed in the crucible and flows out of the open upper portion of the crucible into a slag ingot mold for disposal.

Abstract: An aluminum remelting furnace for recycling scrap. In order to prevent atmospheric dispersion of toxic substances from the combustion of aluminum scrap contaminants, the furnace includes a loading chamber positioned on the upper wall of the furnace which is provided with a lower door and an upper door. During loading, the lower door is opened while the upper door remains closed to prevent the escape of the contaminant substances which remained enclosed within the loading chamber. After closing the lower door, the contaminant substances are fed to a post-combustion chamber and then to a gas treatment and purification system.

Abstract: A metal purifying apparatus comprises a closed melting furnace equipped with a heater, molten metal holding crucible disposed within the furnace, a vertical hollow rotary shaft penetrating through a top wall of the furnace, a packing sealing off a clearance in the shaft penetrating portion of the top wall around the shaft, rotary drive means for rotatingly driving the shaft, a hollow rotary cooling body fixedly provided at a lower end of the shaft and having an interior space communicating with an interior space of the shaft, and a cooling fluid supply source for supplying a cooling fluid to the interior of the cooling body. The rotary shaft has disposed therein a cooling fluid discharge pipe with a lower end positioned below the top wall of the furnace.