Abstract: An apparatus for filtering molten metal held in a vessel before the metal enters the dosing tube. The filtering apparatus includes an attachment portion that mounts to the dosing tube, a filter body connected to the attachment portion and a planar surface attached to an end of the filter body opposite the attachment portion. The filter body can include a beveled end opposite the attachment portion where the planar surface is attached. The apparatus can be made from a bonded-particle material made from silicon carbide or aluminum oxide held together by an aluminum-resistant binder.

Abstract: A dross compression apparatus and method includes one or more air nozzles for directing cooling air across the top of a compression head for cooling the compression head. The air may be vented through air vents in a wall of the apparatus after passing across the top of the compression head. Also a plurality of ribs may extend across the top of the compression head in the direction of the air vents in the wall of the apparatus for directing the air across the top of the compression head and out the air vents.

Abstract: A filter for molten metal is an open-pored porous material comprising particles of refractory material embedded in and bonded together by a carbon matrix bonding material. The filter can be made by forming a porous article from refractory particles, e.g. refractory oxide, carbide or graphite, and a carbon-rich binder, e.g. tar, pitch or an organic (preferably aromatic) polymer that degrades to form carbon on pyrolysis, and then firing the porous article to generate the carbon matrix in which the refractory particles are embedded. The porous article is preferably made by coating a reticulated polyurethane foam with binder and refractory particles, and firing at preferably no higher than 800° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assaying a mineral sample for determining the concentration of selected metals in a sample comprising the steps of providing a comminuted mineral sample; mixing such sample with a flux; preheating a reaction vessel to a temperature which approximates the melting point of the flux; introducing the mixture of the mineral sample and flux into the crucible, whereby the mixture is transformed to a molten state to capture the metal to be assayed in a collector material; and separating slag from the collector material.

Abstract: The invention provides an internal filter with an improved filtering ability of removing particularly fine inclusion particles from molten aluminum or molten aluminum alloy. The internal filter includes an aggregate meshed member made of a refractory material and a coating layer formed on a surface of the aggregate meshed member. The coating layer contains a soda silicate that is able to be softened or viscous at a temperature of the molten aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus (10) includes a liquid reactant metal containment vessel (11) for containing a first liquid reactant metal and isolating the reactant metal from the atmosphere. A release chamber (14) is adapted to receive the first liquid reactant metal from the containment vessel (11) and a submerging arrangement (21) is adapted to dunk or submerge a container (46) of feed material into the liquid reactant metal and move the container to a release location within the release chamber (14). Relatively light materials rising from the submerged container (46), including unreacted feed material, intermediate reaction products, and perhaps final reaction products collect in a collection area (60) having an upper surface defined by an upper surface of the release chamber (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a melt launder (1, 9, 10) comprising a bottom and edges, said melt launder being particularly meant to be used for tapping a molten phase, such as slag, from a smelting furnace, which melt launder is manufactured of copper or copper alloy and provided with cooling channels (8), so that at the bottom (2) of the melt launder (1, 9, 10), there is arranged at least one groove (3).

Abstract: A strainer for molten metal. The strainer comprises a well and a multiplicity of passages. Each passage comprises a first cavity a second cavity with a smaller equivalent diameter than the first cavity. A neck is between the first cavity and second cavity. An inoculation pellet is received in the well.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating molten aluminium from a mixture of molten aluminium and aluminium dross includes a table for supporting an insulated crucible containing the mixture of molten aluminium and aluminium dross. A rotatable frame supports a plurality of tines which can be lowered into the mixture in the crucible for stirring the mixture. Vibration means are provided enabling simultaneous vibration of the crucible and stirring of the mixture. The tines cuts through the dross in a shearing action gently rolling the dross, mixing and tumbling it and causing the droplets of aluminium to coalesce. The aluminium droplets and particles in the dross coalesce to form larger droplets and gradually sink to the base of the crucible. A screening means is disposed to substantially surround the crucible when it is supported by the table, which includes a door to both allow and prevent access to the crucible.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating molten aluminium from a mixture of molten aluminium and aluminium dross includes a table for supporting an insulated crucible containing the mixture of molten aluminium and aluminium dross. A rotatable frame supports a plurality of tines which can be lowered into the mixture in the crucible for stirring the mixture. Vibration means are provided enabling simultaneous vibration of the crucible and stirring of the mixture. The tines cuts through the dross in a shearing action gently rolling the dross, mixing and tumbling it and causing the droplets of aluminium to coalesce. The aluminium droplets and particles in the dross coalesce to form larger droplets and gradually sink to the base of the crucible. A screening means is disposed to substantially surround the crucible when it is supported by the table, which includes a door to both allow and prevent access to the crucible.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus (10) includes a liquid reactant metal containment vessel (11) for containing a first liquid reactant metal and isolating the reactant metal from the atmosphere. A release chamber (14) is adapted to receive the first liquid reactant metal from the containment vessel (11) and a submerging arrangement (21) is adapted to dunk or submerge a container (46) of feed material into the liquid reactant metal and move the container to a release location within the release chamber (14). Relatively light materials rising from the submerged container (46), including unreacted feed material, intermediate reaction products, and perhaps final reaction products collect in a collection area (60) having an upper surface defined by an upper surface of the release chamber (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of desulfurizing hot metal, which method utilizes desulfurization slag resulting from a KR hot metal desulfurizing treatment as a desulfurizing agent for hot metal again to reduce hot metal desulfurization costs and the amount of slag generated, thereby solving environmental problems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preventing slag from flowing along when tapping a molten metal out of a metal-lurgical vessel, whereby the lap opening of the vessel is formed out of interchangeable pipes, which are located one above the other, made of wear-resistant refractory material, and enclosed by tap framing blocks, whereby the lower end of the lap interchangeable system, which is constructed as described, is formed by a cup block against which a slide that closes the opening rests. According to the invention, axially extending channels that are open at both ends of the pipe are provided in the pipe wall of at least the interchangeable pipe that leads into the interior of the vessel. Said channels are connected to a gas supply at the pipe end facing away from the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A dross processing system has a motor mounted to a motor support arm by a motor support carriage, and has a carriage guide which engages the motor support carriage to guide the motor along a vertical path between a raised position and a lowered position. The motor is moved by a motor height actuator connected between the motor support arm and the motor support carriage. A hood having a hood rim and a hood upper structure is configured to be engaged by the motor support carriage when moved to the raised position. When the motor is moved to the lowered position, the hood rim engages a reaction vessel upper rim. The motor support arm can rotate between a loading/dumping position and an operating position. The dross processing system can be partially automated by a microprocessor. A preferred impeller for agitating dross and a plug setting tool can be employed.

Abstract: A method for filtering molten aluminum containing suspended particles using an improved filtration media, the method comprising the steps of providing a source of molten aluminum and providing media having a coating thereon, the coating having a softening point at molten aluminum temperatures to provide adhesive properties and bonding of suspended particles in the molten aluminum thereto. The filtration media is contacted with molten aluminum and suspended particles are adhesively bonded thereto to provide molten aluminum having suspended particles removed therefrom.

Abstract: A device for an in-line filtering (10) of a liquid metal, by using only a single installation, to obtain a very good filtering of any liquid metal whatever its melting point. The device comprising a treating chamber (11) made of refractory material and having an inlet (12) for supplying the metal liquid to be filtered, an element for cleaning (16) the metal, and an element for degassing (17) the cleaned metal. The degassed metal is then injected, under pressure via an injection pump (18), into a porous filtering element (19) and injected liquid flows tangentially to a filtering surface of the filtering element (19) for filtering the metal while simultaneously cleaning the filtering surface. Under the effect of the applied pressure, a portion of the degassed metal passes through the filtering element (19), which is enclosed by a chamber (20), and the filtered liquid is evacuated through an output port (21) provided in the treating chamber (11).

Abstract: A dross processing system has a substantially vertical support positioned in close proximity to a furnace. A reaction vessel is mounted to the substantially vertical support by a reaction vessel support. The reaction vessel preferably has a substantially vertical sidewall and a bottom member having a sealable port. The reaction vessel is preferably fabricated of stainless steel sheet stock, and can have expanded metal sheet welded to the outside or can have a dual-shell structure. The reaction vessel is retained in a horizontal position for loading metal-bearing dross, and can pivot to dump spent dross. The reaction vessel support can be rotatably mounted with respect to the furnace to allow the reaction vessel to be swung away from the furnace for dumping. In one embodiment, the reaction vessel can also be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A molten metal vessel includes a first chamber for containing molten metal such as molten aluminum therein, a filtration chamber in which impurities contained in the molten metal are removed, and a second chamber for reserving clean molten metal to be supplied to a casting die. The molten metal flows from the first chamber to the second chamber through the filtration chamber. A pair of filters, preferably a pair of cylindrical filters, are disposed in the filtration chamber, so that the impurities contained in the molten metal can be filtered twice. The filters are attached to the bottom of the filtration chamber where molten metal oxides hardly develop, so that the filters are easily replaced with new ones for the maintenance purpose. A rod-shaped heater may be disposed in the cylindrical filters to keep the molten metal temperature in a strictly controlled range. Thus, the impurities are effectively removed from the molten metal through the filters which are easily replaceable.

Abstract: An improved vortex inhibitor for separating slag from molten metal during the discharge of molten metal through a nozzle includes a uniform castable refractory body with a generally tapering shape, a hollow chamber within the body and an elongated sacrificial member. The hollow chamber receives the sacrificial member or a mount for the sacrificial member. The refractory body and the sacrificial member combination in molten metal has a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of molten metal and is positioned narrow end downward when supported in molten metal. The hollow chamber can fill with molten metal to form a core that aids in orienting the body in a narrow end downward position. The sacrificial member align the with the area in which the vortex forms and minimizes interference with the flow through the discharge nozzle. The body preferably includes swirl obstructing surfaces.

Abstract: Direct smelting plant for producing molten metal from a metalliferous feed material induces a smelting vessel 11 to hold a molten metal and slag bath beneath a hot gas space. Solids injection lances 27 extend downwardly and inwardly through side walls of the vessel and hot oxidising gas is directed downwardly into the gas space by a central vertical gas injection lance 26. The plant layout is divided into four functional zones spaced circumferentially around vessel 11 and radiating outwardly from the vessel. Zone 1 contains an overhead hot gas delivery duct 31 supplying gas to lance 26 and an offgas duct 32; Zone 2 contains a forehearth 19 and forehearth tapping launder 34; Zone 3 contains slag notches 45 and slag launders 46; and Zone 4 contains a primary slag drain taphole and launder 48. This layout minimises the potential for interference between the transport of the hot gases, the metaliferous feed material, and the molten metal and slag.

Abstract: An aluminum bloom more than 99.95% pure is obtained by segregation of aluminum from an impure parent liquor. Heat supplied to the parent liquor during growth of the bloom is adjusted as a function of the height of the bloom.

Abstract: A method for separating inclusions from an electrically conductive liquid flow using electromagnetic forces, wherein the inclusions and the liquid have differing electrical conductivities. The flow is exposed to a spatially heterogeneous magnetic flux produced by a continuous static magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of slag-free teeming of metal melt includes arranging outside of the metal vessel and closely adjacent to the discharge edge of the vessel discharge opening, of a jetting lance an inclination of which relative to a bath surface in the vessel and spacing from the discharge edge is changeable and injecting, through the discharge opening of the melt vessel, immediately before start of the teeming process and during the teeming process, a fluid jet having a high kinetic pulse energy substantially parallel to the bath surface for forcing a slag melt, which is located in a discharge region of the vessel and covers the metal melt, back.

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: A filter unit for use in metal casting including a filter adapter, a filter adapter per se, and a mold for use in metal casting utilizing the filter unit, as well as a method of producing a metal casting, facilitate or practice direct pouring in a manner which provides for greater flexibility, being applicable to a wider range of castings. The apparatus elements and method are particularly suitable for the manufacturing of castings of relatively high modulus and low pour weight, and for the manufacture of high volume castings of low modulus. The mold includes a mold cavity and a sprue, a filter unit located in the sprue, and the filter unit comprising an adapter of refractory material having one or more ledges o10 for mounting a filter, and a filter (e.g. ceramic foam filter) supported by one of the ledges.

Abstract: A molten metal vessel includes a first chamber for containing molten metal such as molten aluminum therein, a filtration chamber in which impurities contained in the molten metal are removed, and a second chamber for reserving clean molten metal to be supplied to a casting die. The molten metal flows from the first chamber to the second chamber through the filtration chamber. A pair of filters, preferably a pair of cylindrical filters, are disposed in the filtration chamber, so that the impurities contained in the molten metal can be filtered twice. The filters are attached to the bottom of the filtration chamber where molten metal oxides hardly develop, so that the filters are easily replaced with new ones for the maintenance purpose. A rod-shaped heater may be disposed in the cylindrical filters to keep the molten metal temperature in a strictly controlled range. Thus, the impurities are effectively removed from the molten metal through the filters which are easily replaceable.

Abstract: A molten metal vessel includes a first chamber for containing molten metal such as molten aluminum therein, a filtration chamber in which impurities contained in the molten metal are removed, and a second chamber for reserving clean molten metal to be supplied to a casting die. The molten metal flows from the first chamber to the second chamber through the filtration chamber. A pair of filters, preferably a pair of cylindrical filters, are disposed in the filtration chamber, so that the impurities contained in the molten metal can be filtered twice. The filters are attached to the bottom of the filtration chamber where molten metal oxides hardly develop, so that the filters are easily replaced with new ones for the maintenance purpose. A rod-shaped heater may be disposed in the cylindrical filters to keep the molten metal temperature in a strictly controlled range. Thus, the impurities are effectively removed from the molten metal through the filters which are easily replaceable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for recovering metal from dross. The apparatus comprises a chamber having an opening to receive the dross and an agitating member mounted in the chamber. The agitating member is driven so that it agitates the dross in the chamber so as to release the metal from the oxide of the dross. The chamber also has an outlet through which the recovered metal and residual oxide are discharged.

Abstract: A dross press head is constructed of refractory material. The refractory material may be a vitreous silica based refractory or other suitable refractory material including ceramic material. The refractory head may include reinforcing fibers, which may be stainless steel fibers. The refractory head may be provided with refractory clips or anchor bolts and secured at its upper end to a metal plate for structural strength. One or more spikes may be formed on or mounted to a lower surface of the refractory head for aiding flow of the upper layer of metal recovered from the dross. The spikes may be constructed of refractory material including ceramic material, cast steel, cast iron or hot rolled steel. Spike material may be selected based on the type of dross. The spike may be formed on the head threadably mounted to a supporting rod mounted to the upper metal plate.

Abstract: To be able to produce metal melts using any metal carriers incurring in metallurgical practice as the charging materials, namely in the most diverse quantitative compositions, a plant for producing metal melts is provided with the following characteristic features: an electric arc furnace vessel (1) provided with one charging opening (11, 21) for a metal melt and/or scrap and/or direct reduced metal, in particular direct reduced iron, and/or ore and at least one electrode (16) and one slag tapping means (22), an oxygen-blowing converter vessel (3) provided with one melt tapping means (41), wherein the oxygen-blowing converter vessel (3) and the electric arc furnace vessel (1) form a unit which is connected via an overflow weir (34) and which is rigidly mounted on the foundation and, wherein the bath surface related specifically to the bath volume is smaller in the oxygen-blowing converter vessel (3) than in the electric arc furnace vessel (1) and the oxygen-blowing converter vessel (3) shares a common re

Abstract: A filter cartridge for a molten metal filtering system is provided with a modular construction in which the filter elements are adapted to be removably mounted to an end plate. The filter elements may be removed separately from the filter and replaced with new filter elements without removing the entire cartridge assembly. According to another aspect of the invention, the filter elements are provided with an elliptical cross-section.

Abstract: A portable dross pressing apparatus utilizes a frame which may be made portable by wheels, by forklift tubes or the like. A press head is mounted to an upper portion of the portable frame and a drive means is used to force a skim pot upwardly into juxtaposition with the press head wherein dross within the skim pot may be compressed between the skim pot and the press head. The pot and/or head may contain ribs which may or may not mate. The pressing components may be made of cast steel or of a refractory material, such as ceramic. A pot of refractory material would be constructed over a metal shell for reinforcement. Preferably, the skim pot and sow mold are mounted within a traveling frame which is movably mounted to the portable frame. The skim pot may be provided with an automatic dumping mechanism and the sow mold may be mounted on a slide drawer mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the skim pot is provided with means for preheating which may either be a gas burner or electrical resistance heaters.

Abstract: A method of heating a body of molten metal passing through a treatment bay. The method comprises providing a body of molten metal in a treatment bay and providing a baffle heater in the treatment bay to contact the molten metal. The baffle heater is comprised of a member fabricated from a material substantially inert to the molten metal, the member containing at least one heating element receptacle. An electric heating element is positioned in the receptacle for heating the member, the element protected from the molten metal by the material constituting the member.

Abstract: A ceramic filter arranged in a flow passage through which a molten metal is poured from a gate into a cavity of a casting mold. The ceramic filter has a ceramic main body of a three-dimensional reticulated skeleton structure having interconnected pores. The main body is formed into a cylindrical shape having an inner hollow portion. A method of making the ceramic main body is disclosed by applying a ceramic slurry on a reticulated synthetic resin foam having no cell membranes. The foam is sintered and applied with the ceramic slurry until the foam is removed by carbonization.

Abstract: A dross pot and sow mould combination for use with a dross press, the combination being suitable for melting furnaces with low sills. The sow mould is connected to the dross pot by a variable length connection which allows the height of the combination to be low when the combination is positioned by the furnace, but larger when the combination is positioned in the dross press.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus and method for dross removal from coating lines. The invention utilizes magnets to collect dross either in suspension or which has accumulated at or near the bottom of a coating pot. The invention utilizes the magnetic properties of the dross to separate the dross from the non-magnetic coating metal. The use of magnets allows for removal of dross from the coating metal without simultaneously removing valuable coating metal from the coating pot.

Abstract: A metallurgical furnace, preferably a metallurgical furnace for the production of copper, is equipped with a forebay. The forebay is in open communication with the settler of the furnace by a passageway that allows for the continuous removal of both slag and metal product, e.g. matte, blister copper, etc. The slag and metal product maintain their phase-separated relationship as they enter the forebay. The forebay is equipped with a weir that divides the forebay into a slag skimming chamber and a riser chamber. The slag skimming chamber has at least one slag overflow notch on at least one sidewall. The notch is located at an elevation on the sidewall such that only slag enters and is removed from the forebay. The notch is above the top surface of the metal product, i.e. it is above the interface between the slag and metal product layers.

Abstract: A dross press including a press head and skim box and including a head system comprising pressing means for pressing the dross in said skim box, said press means including means for providing a rocking movement for said press head. Said means comprise two hydraulic rams spaced apart on diametrically opposite sides of the press head.

Abstract: A portable dross processing system has a support frame with a base and an upper support. A pair of wheels are mounted to the base, and a steering wheel can be pivotably mounted to the base. A dross receiving crucible is mounted in a crucible frame which is pivotably mounted to the upper support. The crucible has a sidewall and a bottom having a port. The crucible may be formed from a mounting rim of steel plate to which a metal mesh reservoir form is attached. The mesh is then covered with moldable refractory cloth, over which a ceramic wash is applied. A finishing wash is applied to the crucible interior. Preheated dross is loaded into the crucible while in a dross loading position. The dross is preferably mixed with an exothermic compound and stirred to promote coalescence of the entrapped metal. After the molten metal forms a pool in the bottom of the crucible, the port is opened to drain the metal. The port can be opened by a closure plate slidably engaging a pair of channels and supporting a port plug.

Abstract: An improved cooling system for cooling the head of a dross press used in the recovery of non-ferrous metals from dross utilizes a controlled flow of cooling fluid (preferably water) through a cooling coil mounted in particulate matter having a high absorbtivity for heat, preferably sand and most preferably chromite sand. A temperature sensor is mounted within the particulate material or sand, and is used to control the flow of water through the coil in the cooling head. When a temperature above a predetermined value is sensed, water flow through the cooling coil is caused to increase. When the sensed temperature is below a second predetermined value, the controlled water flow through the cooling coil is caused to decrease. Apparatus is also provided for controlling the amount of time that the dross press head is in contact with the dross to be pressed as a function of the temperature of the dross.

Abstract: A method for removing oxides from a liquid metal heat exchange fluid following the initial startup of the heat exchange system fixes oxygen by locating an oxygen scavenging material in a drain tank. During initial fabrication and periods of maintenance metal surfaces of the conduits, heat exchange elements and other equipment become coated with an oxide layer. This invention eliminates the need for the sacrificial traps in the circulating system that are used to remove this initial oxide loading by placing an oxygen scavenging material in the drain tank. The drain tank is ordinarily provided to retain the inventory of liquid metal when it is not circulating in the heat exchange volume. A simple drain down of the liquid metal inventory can thereby remove from the liquid metal inventory essentially all of the oxide impurities that usually accompany an initial startup of such a system.

Abstract: The dross pot comprises a generally conical vessel with a plurality of internal upstanding ribs which divide the dross pot into a plurality of segments and also provide a plurality of draining holes for molten metal.

Abstract: A gas jet-operated pump for removing dross from the surface of a bath of molten metal. The pump can be employed for delivering molten metal to the dross for diluting it or for removing it from a selected area.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for removing liquid salts from liquid metal utilizing at least one porous substrate which is wettable by liquid salts and is not wettable by liquid metal. The porous substrate is inserted into a container having a quantity of liquid metal which is contaminated with an amount of liquid salt. The salt contaminated liquid metal contacts the substrate so that the liquid salt is absorbed into the porous substrate. The salt wetted porous substrate is then removed from the container.

Abstract: The design of the press head includes concave profile sides to enable a greater amount of aluminium dross to be trapped in a skim box as the press head descends. The end of the head forms a spike which can pass through a central hole in the skim box to clear the hole allowing free drainage of molten aluminium.

Abstract: Honeycomb filters for the filtration of molten metal streams comprise a triangular cell cross-section in combination with specified cell density, cell wall thickness, filter open frontal area and geometric surface area, thereby offering improved filtration performance when compared with similar filters of square or circular cell design.

Abstract: In a method for processing solid residues from refuse incineration plants the slag is melted and heavy metals from the melt (16) are separated for reutilization. The slag is directly transferred from the refuse incineration plant into a first heating chamber (2) and melted there under oxidizing conditions. The melt (16) produced therefrom is transferred to a second heating chamber (3), in which the heavy metal compounds are reduced to their metallic form. Furthermore, additional finely divided residues, such as fly ash, boiler ash and filter dust, are introduced into the second heating chamber (3) via a hollow graphite electrode (19). The melt (16) is then passed on to a third heating chamber (4), in which the residual readily volatile metals are vaporized and the residual non-volatile metals are sedimented. The essentially heavy-metal-free melt is then cooled to form vitreous granules.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a system for the filtration of molten material. The system is particularly useful for removing MgO impurities present in molten magnesium chloride electrolyte. The invention also comprises a method for removing solid particles from molten materials. Preferred molten materials include magnesium, aluminum, magnesium chloride electrolyte and aluminum electrolyte. The concentration of solid remaining in the molten material is less than 0.05 wt %.

Abstract: The magnesium melting furnace (1) has a plurality of chambers. The material to be melted is fed into a melting chamber (2) through a charging chute (20), one end of which terminates under the surface of the melting bath. The melt is slowly transferred into a holding chamber (4) through a passage (3) situated in the lower third of a dividing wall (11) above a layer of impurities settling at the bottom (14) of the melting chamber (2). The melt slowly flows through the holding chamber (4), with impurities rising to the surface or settling on the bottom (15). The purified melt flows through a second passage (5) situated in the lower third of a second dividing wall (12) into a metering chamber (6). The melt can be removed from the metering chamber (6) through a transfer pipe (28) using a metering pump (27). The magnesium melting furnace (1) makes it possible to simultaneously melt, purify and remove the magnesium in metered quantities.

Abstract: An improved vortex inhibitor for separating slag from molten metal during the discharge of molten metal through a nozzle includes a uniform castable refractory body with a regular pyramidal shape. The tapered body includes swirl obstructing surfaces extending along its length and is geometrically proportioned so that the center of gravity is closer to the apex than the center of buoyancy of the body. Preferably, the outermost parts of the base intersect a circle whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the nozzle opening and defining a base length dimensionally fixed with respect to the base length within a predetermined range. Preferably, the longitudinal height is in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 times the diameter of the circumscribed circle. A modified, spherically configured body which can be rolled into position also is geometrically proportioned to keep the center of gravity spaced from the center of buoyancy and closer toward the apex of the modified shape.