Abstract: A metal powder production apparatus capable of easily preventing an oxide in a molten metal from entering a liquid nozzle is provided. The metal powder apparatus includes a first crucible heating and melting a melting material to generate molten metal, a first heating device heating and melting the metal in the first crucible, a stopper opening and closing a first opening provided on the bottom surface of the first crucible, an introduction pipe having one end connected to the first opening of the first crucible and leading a molten metal in the first crucible to the outside of the first crucible, a second crucible receiving the molten metal flowing out of the introduction pipe, a second heating device heating the second crucible, and a liquid nozzle provided on the bottom surface of the second crucible.

Abstract: A spiral-orifice ceramic filter for metal casting, including spiral channels and two drain openings, where the spiral channels are distributed in a ceramic substrate in a staggered manner. By adoption of the spiral channel structure, molten metal may rotate to generate a centrifugal force while flowing forwards so as to promote separation of inclusions. The spiral-orifice ceramic filter for metal casting includes the following components: 90-95 wt % of MgO, 4-8 wt % of SiO2 and 2-4 wt % of ZrO2. Therefore, the spiral-orifice ceramic filter for metal casting has high strength under normal temperature and optional thermal impact resistance under high temperature, and may tolerate the impact of molten metal at 1700° C. or higher without break. The ceramic substrate and the spiral channel are superficially coated with one layer of functional oxide prepared from CaO.2Al2O3, CaO.6Al2O3, Al2O3, TiO2, or Re2O3.

Abstract: A separator element comprising a porous rigid single-piece substrate (2) presenting firstly, at its periphery, a perimeter wall (21) that is continuous between an inlet (4) for the fluid medium for treatment at one end of the porous substrate and an outlet (5) for the retentate at the other end of the porous substrate, and secondly, internally, a surface covered by a separator layer (6) and defining an open structure made up of empty spaces (3) for passing a flow of the fluid medium for treatment. The empty spaces (3) are arranged in the porous substrate so as to create within the porous substrate a first flow network (R1) for the fluid medium for treatment, having at least two interconnected flow circuits (R11, R12) for the fluid medium between the inlet (4) and the outlet (5) of the porous substrate.

Abstract: A sensor includes a resonant transducer, the resonant transducer being configured to determine the composition of an emulsion or other dispersion. The resonant transducer has a sampling cell, a bottom winding disposed around the sampling cell, and a top winding disposed around the bottom winding. The composition of the dispersion is determined by measuring the complex impedance spectrum values of the mixture of the dispersion and applying multivariate data analysis to the values.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovery of non-ferrous metal from hot dross having a frame with a dross compression head; a sow mold for collecting metal compressed from the dross; a skim pan mounted on said sow mold; at least one through opening with a connection means for supplying a vacuum, said opening being situated in the bottom part of the skim pan and/or in the sow mold; and a seal, situated in the gap between the skim pan and the sow mold; furthermore, one or several through drainage openings are provided in the bottom part of the skim pan.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method capable of effectively suppressing deformation when a honeycomb formed body formed by horizontal extrusion is supported by a cradle, and supporting even a large honeycomb formed body so that cell wall buckling hardly occur and a high shape accuracy is kept, wherein the lowermost end of a supporting surface of the cradle is located below the lowermost end of the honeycomb formed body immediately after extruded through the die during the horizontal movement, and a distance in a vertical direction between the lowermost end of the honeycomb formed body immediately after extruded through the die and the lowermost end of the supporting surface of the cradle is from 5 to 15 mm during the horizontal movement when a honeycomb formed body extruded through a die in a horizontal direction by extrusion is supported by a cradle.

Abstract: A kit enables selective circulation and transfer of molten metal of a furnace. The kit includes a transfer block of refractory material adapted to be disposed downstream of a refractory pump wall of a pump well. The block includes a transfer passageway that extends from alignment with an opening in the pump wall toward an exterior vessel outside the furnace. A support structure can be adapted to be fixed over the furnace. Pulleys can be carried by the support structure. An actuator can be positioned outside of the furnace. A cable can be fastened at one end portion to the transfer block and at another end portion to the actuator and extends around the pulleys. When actuated in one stroke the actuator moves the cable so as to move the block upward out of alignment with the pump wall opening to cause molten metal circulation.

Abstract: A method for the production of closed edge filters suitable for filtering molten metal and filters made by such a method. The method comprises: providing a reticulated foam substrate having at least one first surface for forming a side face of the filter and two opposed second surfaces for forming the through-flow faces of the filter; applying a liquid comprising an organic coating component to the first surface; solidifying the organic coating component to form a filter precursor having a volatilizable coating on the first surface; impregnating the filter precursor with a slurry comprising particles of a refractory material, a binder and a liquid carrier; and drying and firing the impregnated filter precursor to form the filter having a closed edge.

Abstract: A system for transferring molten metal from a vessel and into one or more of a ladle, ingot mold, launder, feed die cast machine or other structure is disclosed. The system includes at least a vessel for containing molten metal, an overflow (or dividing) wall, and a device or structure, such as a molten metal pump, for generating a stream of molten metal. The dividing wall divides the vessel into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein part of the second chamber has a height H2. The device for generating a stream of molten metal, which is preferably a molten metal pump, is preferably positioned in the first chamber. When the device operates, it generates a stream of molten metal from the first chamber and into the second chamber. When the level of molten metal in the second chamber exceeds H2, molten metal flows out of the vessel and into another structure, such as into one or more ladles and/or one or more launders.

Abstract: A method for delivering molten metal from a ladle to a die casting shot sleeve and a ladle and shot sleeve assembly. Both the ladle and a rotatable device coupled to the shot sleeve are made to rotate about respective axes as a way to reduce air entrainment and oxide film inclusions during the gravity filling of the shot sleeve with molten metal from the ladle. In a preferred form, the axis of rotation of the nozzle in the ladle is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the shot sleeve rotatable device that is preferably placed in a horizontal filling direction. The nozzle is configured to deliver the molten metal through the lowest level of the shot sleeve when the ladle is rotated from a first position to a second position about its axis, followed by its rotation about a filling axis of the shot sleeve from a first angular position to a second angular position. At the second angular position, a die casting plunger can fill the casting cavity with the molten metal that has been delivered to the shot sleeve.

Abstract: A ceramic foam filter and method of making the filter is described. The filter comprises: a sintered reaction product of: 35-75 wt % aluminosilicate; 10-30 wt % colloidal silica; 0-2 wt % bentonite; and 0-35 wt % fused silica; wherein the ceramic foam filter has less than 0.15 wt % alkali metals measured as the oxide and a flexural strength of at least 60 psi measured at 4 minutes at 1428° C.

Abstract: A filter which is particularly suitable for filtration of molten metal, and method of making the filter, is described. The filter comprises a ceramic core comprising a primary component selected from the group consisting of alumina and magnesium oxide. A coating is on the ceramic core wherein the coating is selected from the group consisting of BN and Y2O3.

Abstract: A method for the production of closed edge filters suitable for filtering molten metal and filters made by such a method. The method comprises: providing a reticulated foam substrate having at least one first surface for forming a side face of the filter and two opposed second surfaces for forming the through-flow faces of the filter; applying a liquid comprising an organic coating component to the first surface; solidifying the organic coating component to form a filter precursor having a volatilisable coating on the first surface; impregnating the filter precursor with a slurry comprising particles of a refractory material, a binder and a liquid carrier; and drying and firing the impregnated filter precursor to form the filter having a closed edge.

Abstract: Method for the production of a closed edge refractory foam filter, by providing a reticulated foam substrate having at least one first surface for forming a side face of the filter and two opposed second surfaces for forming the through-flow faces of the filter, applying a liquid including an organic coating component to the first surface, solidifying the organic coating component to form a filter precursor having a continuous volatilizable coating on the first surface, and impregnating the filter precursor with a slurry containing particles of a refractory material, a binder and a liquid carrier. The impregnated filter precursor is dried and fired to form the filter having a closed edge.

Abstract: A combined furnace system for fire refining red impure copper, comprising in order: a shaft furnace (2) for smelting red impure copper raw material into red impure copper liquid; a red impure copper liquid groove (4); at least one rotary furnace (5) for refining and producing refined copper liquid by means of oxidation reduction; a refined copper liquid groove (6). The combined furnace system is characterized in that the system comprises a tilting furnace (3) between the shaft furnace (2) and the red impure copper liquid groove (4) for removing slag from red impure copper liquid having slag. The invention thereby provides a combined furnace system that easily removes slag, has a smooth, unobstructed red impure copper liquid groove, and smelts and refines with stable production efficiency.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing finely powdered spherical magnesium includes a gas compressor that compresses argon gas, a gas heating unit that heats the compressed argon gas, and a tundish that receives molten magnesium. The device further includes a reactor having a nozzle injection unit that injects heated argon gas into the reactor, a recovery unit that recovers magnesium powder produced in the reactor, and a first gas cooler that cools the argon gas passing through the recovery unit. The device further includes a filtering unit that filters the cooled argon gas, a buffer tank that receives the filtered argon gas, and a compression blower that adiabatically compresses the argon gas. The device further includes a second gas cooler that cools the compressed argon gas, an adiabatic expansion duct that adiabatically expands the cooled argon gas, supplies the expanded argon gas to the reactor, and cools the magnesium powder.

Abstract: Embodiments of an aluminum dross cooling head are disclosed. The cooling cooperates with a material container encapsulate dross and reduce thermiting of the dross. In one embodiment, the cooling head also serves as a compression head when forced into the dross by a cooperating dross press assembly.

Abstract: An improved vortex inhibitor 20 for separating slag from molten metal during the discharge of molten metal through a nozzle 14 includes a generally uniform castable refractory body 22 having a generally hemispherical or hemi-ellipsoid shape having a plurality of generally triangular shaped projection elements 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40) defining a plurality of generally constant dimension grooves 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52 extending downward from the top side 26 toward an apex 41 of the vortex inhibitor 20.

Abstract: A slag discharge door apparatus for an electric furnace is disclosed. The apparatus includes a door which is operated by a door operator to open or close a slag discharge outlet of the electric furnace, and a door support which supports the door in such a way that a portion of a lower end of the door overlaps with the door support, so that slag is inhibited from leaking out of the electric furnace through the slag discharge outlet.

Abstract: A compressing element, devices for using such a compressing element and methods of use are provided, in which the compressing element has: a upper surface provided with an inlet and an outlet; a lower surface; an at least partially hollow interior provided between the upper surface and the lower surface, the hollow interior being connected to the inlet and the outlet; the hollow interior being provided with: one or more fluid flow constraining surfaces provided by one or more walls of the hollow interior; and one or more fluid flow control elements provided in the hollow interior, the one or more fluid flow control elements being additional to the one or more fluid flow constraining surfaces provided by the one or more walls of the hollow interior. The arrangement of inlet, outlet, fluid flow constraining surfaces and fluid control elements provides for improved cooling of the compressing element, for instance when used to press molten metal processing by-products to extract molten metal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for tapping molten metal from below a molten electrolyte layer less dense than the metal is described. The apparatus comprises a pipe comprising a protruding enlarged wall portion at an operative end which is immersed in the molten electrolyte and metal during tapping operation. The enlarged wall portion helps to minimize entrainment of electrolyte residue from the electrolyte/metal interface during tapping. The orientation of the enlarged wall portion may be in the general direction of the crucible.

Abstract: A process for making a filter suitable for filtering molten metal comprising (i) forming a slurry comprising (a) particles of a refractory material, (b) a binder and (c) a liquid carrier, (ii) coating a disposable former with a slurry, (iii) drying the coated former, (iv) optionally applying one or more additional coats of a refractory material and/or a binder, optionally with liquid carrier, and drying the one or more additional coats, and (v) firing the coated former to produce the filter, wherein the binder is a carbon rich source selected from one or more of the following classes of materials: pitches, tars and organic polymers that degrade to form carbon on pyrolysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing and separating excess copper dissolved in molten lead-free solder containing tin as the main element is provided. An apparatus 1 deposits excess copper in the molten lead-free solder as an intermetallic compound and separates it from the molten solder. The apparatus includes a deposition bath 2 for causing an intermetallic compound in the molten solder, a metal added from the outside and copper in the molten solder to be deposited, a granulation bath 4 including plates 31 32 and 33 for allowing the molten solder to pass through the plates to merge the intermetallic compounds into particles having a larger diameter, and a separation bath 5 for causing the enlarged intermetallic compounds to precipitate and separate in the molten solder.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for a slag door of a metallurgical furnace, having a mounting assembly for mounting the apparatus to the furnace, and at least one closure element, moveable from an open position that is exterior of the slag door opening, to a closed position that effectively seals against the slag door and extends into the slag door opening with the rear panel of the closure element(s) being proximally aligned with the interior wall of the furnace. The apparatus may also have at least one wiping component moveable so as to sweep across the lower surface of the slag door to remove obstructions.

Abstract: A solder recovery device includes a melter which melts solder dross stored in a melting crucible, an agitation unit which agitates the melted solder dross, so as to separate the melted solder dross up and down into an oxidized residue and a recycled solder in the melting crucible, and a suction unit which sucks the oxidized residue generated by the agitation, the suction unit sucking the oxidized residue in an upper portion of the melting crucible to be removed.

Abstract: A method for the production of closed edge filters suitable for filtering molten metal and filters made by such a method. The method, comprises: providing a reticulated foam substrate having at least one first surface for forming a side face of the filter and two opposed second surfaces for forming the through-flow faces of the filter; applying a liquid comprising an organic coating component to the first surface; solidifying the organic coating component to form a filter precursor having a volatilisable coating on the first surface; impregnating the filter precursor with a slurry comprising particles of a refractory material, a binder and a liquid carrier; and drying and firing the impregnated filter precursor to form the filter having a closed edge.

Abstract: A temperature-specific compound applied to refractory substrates having molten metal-contacting surfaces creates a chemically active and viscous surface that dramatically increases the ability of the treated substrate to remove slag, dross and other inclusions from a base metal alloy as it passes through or contacts the substrate. The refractory substrates include molten metal filters used by foundries and metal casters such as reticulated ceramic foam, cellular/honeycomb, silica mesh, and others that rely on their physical or sieving ability to remove particulate impurities from the base alloy being cast. The chemically active surfaces significantly increase filtration efficiency through a treatment process tailored to the specific chemistry of the alloy being filtered, such as ferrous metals that include iron, steel and more.

Abstract: A filter includes a crucible, a filtering container, and a receiving tank. The crucible has a heater for heating a pre-filtered object to comprise a primary material in liquid and at least one other material in solid. The filtering container has a body, a sieve, and a press rod. The body connects with the crucible for receiving the heated pre-filtered object in a channel and provides a guide-out member; the sieve is disposed in said channel; and the press rod movably received in the channel for pressing the primary material of the pre-filtered object to flow through the sieve and to the guide-out member. The receiving tank has an entrance facing the guide-out member of the filtering container to receive the filtered primary material.

Abstract: A double cavity type steel slag treatment equipment by barrel method employing mandrel support comprises left and right barrel bodies, flow branching pan, mandrel, feed funnel. Between the left and right barrel bodies is disposed a flow branching pan, over which is mounted a feed funnel and below which is mounted a retaining ring. The mandrel is fixedly connected to the left and right barrel bodies and flow branching pan, supporting bearings are mounted at two ends of the mandrel, left and right barrel bodies have inner and outer portions, inner barrel body is made of grid section, one end of grid section is fixed on the end cover of outer barrel body through an insertion opening made of supporting rings, the other end of grid section is joined with the supporting ring fixedly connected on outer barrel body.

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: Contoured molten metal filter cups having an interstitial flow space that is maintained between the inner-wall of a molten metal pouring cone, riser sleeve or mold and the outer wall of the filter cup are disclosed. The interstitial space provided by the contoured filter cups results in significantly increased molten metal throughput during casting operations, while simultaneously providing an increased level of filtering efficiency.

Abstract: The filter of the type made out of fibreglass fabric is remarkable in that it includes an impregnation in an iron oxide enriched resin which confers a magnetization-based function and property upon it and allows the feeder head/filter unit to be recycled so that the metal and the waste filters can be recovered.

Abstract: A filter has a multi-layered structure for removing impurity particles from a molten metal. The filter includes: a plurality of filter layers sequentially disposed along the flow direction of the molten metal in a downward direction and comprising a plurality of pore channels, wherein the filter layers disposed upstream comprise larger pore channels than those of the filter layers disposed downstream.

Abstract: An improved filter assembly for molten metal is described. The assembly has a canister with at least one port wherein the port allows filtered molten metal to flow from the canister. A plurality of filter elements is in the canister wherein the filter elements separate a volume of the canister into a primary chamber and a secondary chamber wherein the secondary chamber is in direct flow communication with the port. A ported cover is over the canister wherein the ported cover prohibits unfiltered molten metal from flowing directly into the secondary chamber. The molten metal flows from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber through a filter element.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for a slag door of a metallurgical furnace, having a mounting assembly for mounting the apparatus to the furnace, and at least one closure element, moveable from an open position that is exterior of the slag door opening, to a closed position that effectively seals against the slag door and extends into the slag door opening with the rear panel of the closure element(s) being proximally aligned with the interior wall of the furnace. The apparatus may also have at least one wiping component moveable so as to sweep across the lower surface of the slag door to remove obstructions.

Abstract: A solder recovery device includes a melter which melts solder dross stored in a melting crucible, an agitation unit which agitates the melted solder dross, so as to separate the melted solder dross up and down into an oxidized residue and a recycled solder in the melting crucible, and a suction unit which sucks the oxidized residue generated by the agitation, the suction unit sucking the oxidized residue in an upper portion of the melting crucible to be removed.

Abstract: A filter for molten metal, the filter comprising a perforated surface and the perforated surface retaining a filter media for contact with a molten metal passing in use across the perforated surface between perforations of the perforated surface.

Abstract: A ceramic precursor, and ceramic filter prepared therewith, with 35-70 wt % refractory aluminosilicate; 10-30 wt % colloidal silica; 0-2 wt % modified bentonite; 0-35 wt % fumed silica; 0-10 wt % pore formers and liquid.

Abstract: A method is described for priming an in-line molten metal filtration unit having a porous ceramic or refractory filter mounted substantially horizontally in a filter box. This filter box has an inlet for molten metal and an outlet for molten metal, the outlet being a closeable outlet in an exit well connecting to the downstream side of the filter. The method of the invention comprises the steps of adding a molten metal to the filter box sufficient to entirely cover the upstream side of the filter with a depth of molten metal and temporarily sealing the outlet in the exit well. A steadily increasing vacuum is then applied to the closed exit well at a rate between 0.1 and 10 kPa per second by withdrawing a stream of air from the exit well by means of a fan or air venturi until molten metal begins to flow through the filter. At that point the vacuum is quickly released and the molten metal outlet is opened.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing and separating excess copper dissolved in molten lead-free solder containing tin as the main element is provided. An apparatus 1 deposits excess copper in the molten lead-free solder as an intermetallic compound and separates it from the molten solder. The apparatus includes a deposition bath 2 for causing an intermetallic compound in the molten solder, a metal added from the outside and copper in the molten solder to be deposited, a granulation bath 4 including plates 31 32 and 33 for allowing the molten solder to pass through the plates to merge the intermetallic compounds into particles having a larger diameter, and a separation bath 5 for causing the enlarged intermetallic compounds to precipitate and separate in the molten solder.

Abstract: A method and device for the purification and separation of purified metal from a metal mother liquid having a specific density and comprising one or more foreign element(s). The method includes: providing in a column device a starting material including metal crystals and a metal mother liquid including at least one foreign element; applying a temperature difference between a relatively hot zone at the upper end of the column and a relatively cool zone at the lower end of the column; a separation step wherein at least a part of the metal crystals is separated from the metal mother liquid by rising of the metal crystals to the upper surface of the metal mother liquid; and a further separation step wherein purified metal floating on the upper surface of the metal mother liquid is discharged from the column device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ladle block for use in a bottom of a molten metal ladle. The ladle block reduces the amount of contaminants, particularly slag, exiting the ladle during casting operations. The ladle block includes a floor defining an outlet and sidewalls substantially orthogonal to the floor. The floor and sidewalls define a channel having dimensions of length, width and height. Channel dimensions are determined from the Froude number, which is based at least partially on the casting flow rate.

Abstract: A furnace filtration system for improving the speed and efficiency of a molten metal centrifugal impeller pump contained within a non-ferrous molten metal furnace. The system includes a filtration well located upstream of the pump well. The filtration well includes a filter having a plurality of through filter passages that are sized to prevent any solid contaminants that are larger than the pump's impeller openings from passing therethrough. By preventing any contaminants that cannot pass through the pump, the pump can be run at a higher speed. A furnaces efficiency increases with the centrifugal pump's efficiency increases with its centrifugal pump's speed along with the flow and pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a separating vessel (10) suitable for use in the treatment of a mineral sample wherein a molten slag (11) is separated from a molten collector material (12) comprising a container defining an interior cavity (13) for receiving the molten materials (11, 12), an outlet aperture (14) leading from the interior cavity to the exterior of the container, and a separating surface (15) associated with the outlet aperture (14) which is shaped to cause droplets of flux (11a) to be carried along such surface, while droplets of collector material (12a) drip off such surface by the force of gravity.

Abstract: A quiescent melt handling system includes a holding furnace (2, 120, 320-720) for a molten metal melt. The holding furnace has a relatively large surface area and a relatively shallow depth, having a width to depth ratio in the range of 4-100 to 1. Also provided is structure (650-680) in the holding furnace for separating inclusions from the melt in the holding furnace. A quiescent transfer casting method includes melting a metal to form a melt and transferring the melt into a holding furnace. A hydrogen content in the melt is passively equilibrated with a dry atmosphere maintained in the holding furnace. Subsequently, the melt is withdrawn from the holding furnace.

Abstract: A system for filtering hard alpha inclusions from a reactive metal alloy, such as titanium, is provided. The system includes a vessel, a receptacle and a filter. The vessel is capable of holding the reactive metal alloy in a molten form, and can pour the molten reactive metal alloy. The receptacle is for receiving the molten reactive metal alloy poured from the vessel. And to prevent at least some hard alpha inclusions from entering the receptacle, the filter is disposed between the vessel and the receptacle such that the molten reactive metal alloy passes therethrough before being received by the receptacle. The filter includes a frame, and a porous surface that is disposed within the frame. The porous surface defines openings that are sized to permit the reactive metal alloy in molten form to pass therethrough while capturing hard alpha inclusions.

Abstract: A system for filtering hard alpha inclusions from a reactive metal alloy, such as titanium, is provided. The system includes a vessel, a receptacle and a filter. The vessel is capable of holding the reactive metal alloy in a molten form, and can pour the molten reactive metal alloy. The receptacle is for receiving the molten reactive metal alloy poured from the vessel. And to prevent at least some hard alpha inclusions from entering the receptacle, the filter is disposed between the vessel and the receptacle such that the molten reactive metal alloy passes therethrough before being received by the receptacle. The filter includes a frame, and a porous surface that is disposed within the frame. The porous surface defines openings that are sized to permit the reactive metal alloy in molten form to pass therethrough while capturing hard alpha inclusions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for jetting droplets of a particle filled viscous medium. The device has a nozzle, an eject mechanism connected to the nozzle, a medium feeding mechanism connected to the eject mechanism, a particle filled viscous medium container connected to the medium feeding mechanism, and a filter arranged between an outlet of the particle filled viscous medium container and the medium feeding mechanism.

Abstract: An ingot mold for metals which is intended for the production of an ingot through the cooling and solidification of a liquid metal mass. The mold includes a wall which defines a base and an inner surface having a part S, known as the cooling surface, which can discharge all or part of the heat energy released by the metal mass during the cooling and solidification thereof. The cooling surface S includes at least one flat surface element Si which forms all or part of the base (4) of the ingot mold. There is also at least one point C on a plane Pi which is tangential to each surface element Si, such that all of the segments of a straight line D connecting every point R of the cooling surface S to point C are only located inside the mold. Further, the total area of surface elements Si is at least equal to 10% of the surface S. The ingot mold can be used to accelerate the production of ingots.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for enhanced metallurgical processing of molten metal includes an enclosable ladle chamber (23) for reducing the escape of heat during transport of the ladle from a manufacturing vessel such as a furnace (13) to an intermediate processing (15) or refining station or during processing or transport to a receptacle vessel such as a tundish (17). The method comprises introducing a refractory body into the ladle chamber (23), the body having an adjusted specific gravity having a reduced steel ballast to refractory material ratio that is less than required for a specific gravity required to buoyantly support the body in the molten metal. Preferably, the ratio provides a specific gravity greater than the specific gravity required to buoyantly support the body entirely in the slag layer.