Abstract: The invention provides a filter apparatus and method for removing inclusions from a molten metal alloy and includes a container having an inlet portion and an outlet portion. A filter bed is located within said container, interposed between said container inlet and said container outlet, and is comprised of a plurality of filter zones arranged in progressive layers. Each of the filter zones contains particles of filter material within a preselected size range, and the filter zones are successively arranged to selectively locate the largest filter particles at the container outlet and the smallest filter particles at the container inlet. Molten metal alloy is filtered by passing it through the filter bed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a filtration block for liquid alloys and metals, with a mechanical and physical-chemical effect.Agglomerating, for example by sintering, elements of an active mineral compound based on fluorides, results in a porous structure with a high degree of permeability, which acts both by a mechanical filtration effect and by a washing action in respect of the metal under the action of the active mineral compound which acts as a flux and provides for trapping inclusions.Use for the final purification of aluminium, aluminium-base alloys, magnesium and magnesium-base alloys.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating metallic zinc from zinc-containing residues includes a tank which is coolable by the flow of air through a helicoidal conduit that is open radically to the outside via upper and lower orifices and formed within a chamber surrounding the tanks internal refractory coating. A radial flow of molten material against the tank walls is produced by the driven blades of a paddle wheel. Air is supplied to the tank via an air intake in the closure cover. An upper annulr chamber around the cover's seating communicates with the tank's interior via the cover and has an external orifice for connection of a suction conduit.

Abstract: The improved crucible of the present invention both filters molten metal during the transfer of the molten metal from a supply receptacle such as a melting furnace to a receiving receptacle such as a mold. The transfer crucible of the present invention may be either portable or permanently mounted. The present invention relates to both the design of the improved transfer crucible and to the method for using the improved transfer crucible. The transfer crucible of the present invention is fitted with one or more removable blades, each of which contains a filter element. Molten metal can be filtered while the crucible is being filled with molten metal, during transfer of molten metal, or if desired molten metal can be filtered both on entry into and on exit from the transfer crucible.

Abstract: The method for preventing the inclusion of slag into the molten steel tapped from a converter is disclosed. Such method comprises immersing an elongated stopper in a molten steel contained in the converter until the stopper is positioned at a predetermined height above the inside opening of a tap hole, directing the elongated stopper to the inside opening irrespective of tilting of the converter such that the stopper could maintain the predetermined position while allowing a constant flow-out of the molten steel into the tap hole through the space formed between the stopper and the inside opening of the tap hole, and lowering the elongated stopper to close the tap hole when the slag floating above the molten steel is about to flow into the tap hole through the space, whereby the inclusion of the slag into the tapped molten steel can be prevented effectively. The apparatus which can efficiently conduct the above method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In removing slag by vacuum suction, an upward force is always applied which is greater than the force with which a suction head is attracted downward under the influence of its own weight and that of connected parts. During normal operation, a drive force is applied through a separate drive system to balance the upward force, thus keeping the suction head in the desired position. When the drive force fails, the upward force holds the suction head in the hazard-free raised position.

Abstract: A disposable bed filter for removing particulate matter and/or reducing oxygen in a poured metal melt is located within a trough. The bed filter preferably comprises discrete layers of bed media located in a trough between entry and exit baffle plates. The layers of bed media include a layer of coarse media and a layer of fine media. The trough is preferably provided with a closeable lid to permit removal of the bed media and to compensate for buoyancy of the bed media if present. In its preferred use, the bed filter forms part of a process for making a metal alloy wherein the bed filter simultaneously reduces the oxygen content of the melt and filters particulate matter from the melt.

Abstract: The apparatus for refining molten metals from insoluble impurities comprises a housing with a detachable base having an opening, a filtering device with a filtering member, mounted on the housing and operatively passing through the opening in the base, mechanisms for actuating the filtering member through rotation about its longitudinal axis and reciprocation along this axis, and a device for removing impurities from the apparatus. In accordance with the invention, a closed-loop trough is made in the detachable base around the opening for the passage of the filtering device, the device for removing impurities from the apparatus being accommodated within this trough.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a molten metal to a high quality by means of applying gas treating and filtration consecutively in a simple compact treating vessel. The vessel is divided into two parts, i.e., fluxing and filtration compartments, by a vertical partition wall having a molten metal passage therein integrally formed with the vessel, and a vacant space is left above the top of the partition wall and the ceiling of the vessel of sealed box type for allowing communication of the upper space above the bath level in both compartments. In two chambers formed in the fluxing compartment divided by a pair of dividers a respective gas treating device including a graphite pipe supplying treating gas and a rotor body to stir the molten metal is inserted from above.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering molten metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a crucible, a portion of which is a porous filter material. Attached to the rim of the crucible is a shock resistant ring. The crucible is positioned such that the porous filter material is submerged in the molten metal, and the rim is held above the surface of the molten metal by a brace which is attached to a fixed bracket.The molten metal is filtered by seeping through the porous filter material into the crucible. The filtered molten metal is extracted from the crucible.

Abstract: An improved method for recovery of metal, particularly aluminum, from metal bearing dross utilizes a trough for collection of the dross. A wedge member compresses the dross in the trough. In this manner, metal is decanted from the compressed dross and flows through slots in the bottom or passages in the walls of the trough for collection in a pan, or becomes concentrated at the edges or walls of the volume of dross. The trough and wedge members also serve to cool the dross material thereby diminishing metal loss due to thermite reaction. The compressed dross coalesces and solidifies, is broken and is mechanically separated. The larger dross components from the separation process are substantially metallic and may be recycled through the furnace. The remaining components are charged in a vortex melting furnace for the lowest possible melt loss. This also effects segregation of the remaining metal from the dross by melting the metal and allowing the dross to rise to the top of the bath.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating slag and pouring molten steel out of a container such as a converter or the like, which makes use of a gas jet member for jetting an inert gas into the flow of the molten steel in a descending portion of a U-shaped passage communicated with a molten steel outlet opening of the converter, whereby the gas jet causes the flow speed of the molten steel to retard so as to eliminate the influence of inertia force of the flow of the molten steel exerted to a balance between the static pressure of the residual molten steel and the static pressure of the residual slag in the U-shaped passage.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a housing, a filtering device, mechanisms for driving the filtering device, respectively, through rotation and reciprocation and a device for discharging impurities from the filtering device. The filtering device includes the top and bottom plates spaced from one another, the top plate being mounted on a hollow stem, and the bottom plate being mounted on another stem extending through the hollow one. In accordance with the invention, to adjust the spacing of the plates, the filtering device includes a resilient member supported by the stem extending through the hollow one and adapted to cooperate with the hollow stem so as to maintain the relative position of the plates. The end of the same stem extending through the hollow stem, remote from the bottom plate, carries a first abutment cooperating with the resilient member.

Abstract: A hot-blast cupola furnace 1 has an inclined bottom 3 leading directly to a tapping conduit 4. The conduit 4 leads to a forehearth 5 having an iron discharge siphon 13, 14, 15 and two slag discharge siphons 16, 17. The forehearth 5 has an upper slag-holding part 10 and a lower iron-holding part 11, which also contains slag in its upper part down to the level of the tops of the siphons 16, 17. The part 10 is of greater horizontal cross-sectional area than the part 11. In this way the height of the slag column through which the iron passes in the forehearth is reduced and so is the area of the boundary layer in the forehearth. This causes the reaction between the iron and the slag to take place predominantly in the main furnace zone above the bottom 3 and not in the forehearth and in this way the life of the lining of the forehearth, which is a limiting factor on the possible continuous period of operation of the furnace, is prolonged.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a copper metal or alloy wherein a first material is added to a molten metal, consisting essentially of copper preferably in a furnace. After the first material is added, the molten metal is passed through a filtration device to remove particulate matter from the molten metal and/or reduce the oxygen content of the molten metal. After filtration, a second material is added to the molten metal.

Abstract: A disposable bed filter for removing particulate matter and/or reducing oxygen in a poured metal melt is located within a trough. The bed filter preferably comprises discrete layers of bed media located in a trough between entry and exit baffle plates. The layers of bed media include a layer of coarse media and a layer of fine media. The trough is preferably provided with a closeable lid to permit removal of the bed media and to compensate for buoyancy of the bed media if present. In its preferred use, the bed filter forms part of a process for making a metal alloy wherein the bed filter simultaneously reduces the oxygen content of the melt and filters particulate matter from the melt.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for treating a molten metal or alloy using liquid and solid flux, the invention comprising apparatus for passing the metal or alloy through a column provided with an outlet siphon lined with solid granules and liquid flux, at least a proportion of the granules comprising a solid flux having a melting point which is higher than that of the liquid flux and which is higher than the temperature of the metal to be treated. The solid granules can be introduced in a removable interchangeable cartridge. The invention finds utility in the advanced purification of aluminum-based alloys by elimination of ultimate inclusions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated system for continuously melting and refining secondary and blister copper to produce and continuously cast anode grade copper comprising: continuous melting of secondary and blister copper in an optional fuel vertical shaft furnace; continuously or semicontinuously skimming initial slag from the surface of the melted copper in a slag vessel as it drains from the shaft furnace; collecting a reservoir of molten copper in a holding furnace capable of controlling its temperature and subsequent flow; adding fluxes to the molten copper; directing the molten copper into an oxidation vessel where the molten copper and impurities are oxidized; transferring the oxidized and fluxed molten copper to a second slag vessel where slag is skimmed from its surface; flowing the oxygen rich molten copper into a reduction vessel where oxygen content is reduced; collecting a supply of refined molten copper in a final holding vessel; continuously passing the refined molten copper through a filtering ladle

Abstract: The radial cold trap comprises a housing having a plurality of mesh bands disposed therein. The mesh bands comprise concentrically arranged bands of mesh with the mesh specific surface area of each band increasing from the outermost mesh band to the innermost mesh band. An inlet nozzle is attached to the outside section of the housing while an outlet nozzle is attached to the inner portion of the housing so as to be concentrically connected to the innermost mesh band. An inlet baffle having orifices therein may be disposed around the outermost mesh band and within the housing for directing the flow of the fluid from the inlet nozzle to the outermost mesh band in a uniform manner. The flow of fluid passes through each consecutive mesh band and into the outlet nozzle. The circular pattern of the symmetrically arranged mesh packing allows for better utilization of the entire cold trap volume.

Abstract: Apparatus for disposing of pelletized refuse by conversion into useful gaseous products and inert solid residue, comprising a vertical shaft and an enlarged hearth beneath the shaft, with a multiplicity of tuyeres for feeding oxygen-containing gas into the hearth.

Abstract: For the removal of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal contaminants molten aluminium (including Mg-free aluminium alloys), is passed through an active bed of particles of material containing aluminium fluoride, maintained continuously immersed in molten aluminium. Alkali metal and alkaline earth metal contaminants react and may release insoluble molten reaction products. In order to avoid plugging of the active bed and achieve removal of molten reaction products the molten metal is preferably passed upwardly successively through an inactive filter layer, an active bed layer and a further inactive filter layer.

Abstract: A device for separating slag from molten bath to be discharged from a container, for example, a converter, ladle or the like comprising a tortuous molten bath discharge passage communicated with the container and shaped and arranged such that the static pressure of that portion of the molten bath which is remained in the tortuous molten bath discharge passage after the molten bath has been discharged from the container is kept in balance with the static pressure of the slag following the flow of the molten bath.

Abstract: In many situations it is desirable for two or more liquid phases of different densities to be contained in a vessel with the upper phase out of contact with the vessel walls. Such a situation is the refining of molten metals, e.g., copper, wherein a layer of corrosive slag exists in the refining process above the molten metal. In conventional furnaces the slag will attack the furnace walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing complex metallic materials, such as, copper-zinc or copper-lead-zinc concentrates and also slag-containing zinc and lead, by melting these materials in an atmosphere of gas containing free oxygen, and reducing the resulting melt by means of a gaseous plasma jet formed, for instance, by nitrogen. The apparatus includes one or several plasmatrons whose nozzles are immersed in the melt at an angle to its surface for agitation of said melt by the plasma jet and for reduction of the metal oxides.

Abstract: Means and a method for reclaiming galvanizing quality zinc alloy from the top dross of a continuous galvanizing line. A dross furnace is provided having front, rear and side walls and a hearth sloping from the rear wall toward the front wall. The front wall is provided with one or more tap holes or a full width slot so sized as to permit the passage of molten zinc alloy therethrough while retaining the resulting sponge or slag. The dross furnace is located with its front wall overhanging the coating pot of the continuous galvanizing line. The dross furnace is maintained at a temperature of from about 460.degree. C. to about 850.degree. C. and is charged with the top dross from the coating pot. The top dross has a residence time in the dross furnace of up to about two hours. The reclaimed galvanizing quality zinc alloy, at yields from about 50% to about 70% based upon the top dross treated, flows directly back into the coating pot.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches an improved method and apparatus for the treatment of liquids with gases and especially for use in the degassing and filtration of molten metal, especially aluminum, using an apparatus which employs a swirling tank reactor. The swirling tank reactor is in the form of a substantially cylindrical chamber and is characterized by having a liquid inlet at the top thereof and at least one gas inlet at the bottom of said substantially cylindrical chamber wherein at least either the liquid inlet or the gas inlet is positioned with respect to the wall of the cylindrical chamber for tangentially introducing either liquid or gas such that the liquid swirlingly flows from said liquid inlet to a liquid outlet. In a preferred embodiment for the degassing and filtration of molten metal, a filter-type medium is positioned beneath said molten metal inlet to filter the molten metal prior to delivering the same to a casting station.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches an improved design for a swirling tank reactor for use in the degassing and filtration of molten metal. The swirling tank reactor has a larger first cylindrical section and a second smaller cylindrical or converging conical section located beneath said first cylindrical section. Conical shaped fluxing gas inlet nozzles are provided in the walls of both the first and second sections so as to maximize fluxing gas bubble dispersion.

Abstract: A method and means for handling molten slag from a metallurgical furnace to recover waste heat from the molten slag and molten iron entrained in the slag. The waste heat of the slag is channeled to a heat utilizing device such as a steam generator or water heater, the molten iron is collected for return to steel making shops for further processing and the cooled and solidified slag is recovered for conventional slag processing.

Abstract: The sodium content of aluminum melt is reduced efficiently to within acceptable limits by filtering the primary metal from the electrolytic cell through a loosely packed filter bed of granular material which in part comprises carbon. The treatment is carried out before alloy additions are made, and the temperature of the melt before entering the filter is higher than 780.degree. C.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches an improvement in the degassing and filtration of molten metal, especially aluminum, using an apparatus which employs a pair of sequentially placed, removable filter-type plates and at least one fluxing gas inlet positioned therebetween. The first of said filter-type plates is characterized by a plurality of holes which provide a preferential path through which the fluxing gas flows upwardly through the first of said filter plates in countercurrent contact with the melt. Said plate serves to break up said fluxing gas into a fine dispersion to assure its intimate and extensive contact with the melt. Dissolved gases and non-metallic inclusions are thereby abstracted and removed from said melt.

Abstract: A method of removing slag or like scum from the surface of molten metal by suction. A tubular gaseous stream directed toward the surface of scum is formed, with its interior space communicating with a suction source such as an ejector or vacuum pump. The gaseous stream hampers the inflow of external air into the suction zone surrounded by the stream. On reaching the scum surface, the gaseous stream flows inward along the scum surface and is thereafter drawn toward the suction source, so that the stream acts to blow the scum radially inwardly of the stream and thereafter raises the scum from the surface of molten metal, thus permitting efficient removal of the scum with a relatively low suction. A scum removing apparatus for practicing this method includes a suction source, a suction head communicating with the suction source, and annular nozzle means provided around the suction head for forming a tubular gaseous stream flowing toward the surface of scum.

Abstract: An aluminium/dross separator comprising a container or drum having one or more mixer blades mounted therein, drive means being provided to produce relative rotary movement of the container and blades characterized in that the drive means are positioned below and/or, to the side of, the container and do not extend over the top thereof.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the filtration of molten metal for use in the production of castings is disclosed in which a ladling crucible provided with a ceramic foam filter is employed in a furnace type crucible to remove impurities.

Abstract: Molten slag in a vessel or vessels is placed below heat absorbing tubes through which water is passed and converted into steam by the heat radiated by the slag of high temperature, the heat thus being recovered by utilizing the steam for heating purposes, or for driving a turbine or the like. A cover is placed over the tubes and the vessel or vessels to increase the heat transfer efficiency. Any cooled slag layer formed on the surface of the molten slag in the vessel is removed by skimming to promote the heat transfer and, after the temperature of the slag in the vessel has lowered to about 1,200.degree. C, the slag is agitated to further promote the heat transfer. Alternatively, the slag in the vessel or vessels is agitated from the beginning until its temperature has lowered to about 700.degree. C.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches an improvement in the filtration of molten metal especially aluminum using a removable vertically disposed filter plate and at least one fluxing gas inlet positioned in such a manner so as to introduce fluxing gas into the filter plate. The filter plate is provided with a bevelled peripheral surface mating with a like bevelled surface in a filter chamber so that the filter plate can be conveniently inserted in the chamber and removed therefrom. Fluxing gas is provided to the melt through the inlet and flows through the filter plate so as to assure extensive contact with the melt. Dissolved gases and non-metallic inclusions are thereby abstracted and removed from the melt.

Abstract: A suction head for apparatus for removing slag or scum from the surface of molten metal or the like includes a suction pipe having a scum inlet at one end and communicating at the other end with a suction source by way of a conduit, a scum separator, etc. The suction head further includes a water cooling jacket provided around the suction pipe at least close to the scum inlet, and a water injector for injecting the water in the jacket into the suction pipe at a position close to the scum inlet. The water injection comprises a first nozzle for forcing out the water toward the axis of the suction pipe to cause the water to impinge against the sucked scum and to thereby rapidly solidify the scum on cooling, and a second nozzle for injecting the water into the suction pipe along the inner peripheral surface thereof to prevent the adhesion of the scum to the inner surface of the suction pipe.

Abstract: A dross press is provided for separating molten zinc from the dross scooped from the top or from the bottom of a molten bath of zinc in a zinc pot used in a zinc coating process. The press is mounted above the molten metal pool in the pot in a position so that zinc may be expressed from the dross that has been collected in a hand ladle to be squeezed through the perforations in the ladle to fall into the pool maintained in the zinc pot. Alternatively, the press may be mounted so that the reclaimed metal is expressed through the perforations into other receptacles, including molds suitable for weighing, sampling, etc.

Abstract: The disclosure teaches an improvement in the degassing and filtration of molten metal, especially aluminum, using an apparatus which employs a pair of sequentially placed, removable filter-type plates and at least one fluxing gas inlet positioned therebetween. Fluxing gas is provided to the melt through the inlet and flows upward through the first of said plates into counter-current contact with the melt. Said plate serves to break up said fluxing gas into a fine dispersion to assure its intimate and extensive contact with the melt. Dissolved gases and non-metallic inclusions are thereby abstracted and removed from the melt.

Abstract: Apparatus for debismuthising lead containing one or more alkaline earth metals or alloys thereof, including a separation vessel having independently temperature-controlled upper liquation and lower separation zones, devices for adding a reagent selected from the group consisting of antimony, arsenic and alloys containing antimony and/or arsenic to the input lead to form a crust/bullion mixture and continuously and directly introducing the crust/bullion mixture into the lower separation zone of the vessel at a point below the upper liquation zone, the crust particles being separated from the bullion in the lower separation zone and moving upwardly in the vessel, the entrained lead being separated from the crust particles in the upper liquation zone and moving downwardly in the vessel, the enriched crusts being removed from the upper surface of the material in the vessel, and the debismuthised product lead being withdrawn from near the lower end of the lower separation zone.

Abstract: Dross, principally oxides and nitrides of aluminum and entrained metallic aluminum, is transferred quickly from the melting furnace to a cooling drum and cooled in less than 3 minutes to below 400.degree. F. without substantial removal of metallic aluminum before recovery of metallic aluminum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for centrifugal separation of hot materials such as molten metals and slag including feeding the metal and slag mixture into a rotational separator drum having a center inlet at one end and coaxial outlets at the other end, a burner shell within the center of the drum chamber having radial outlet holes and a burner therein with the flame gases flowing outwardly through the radial outlet holes and over the surface of the material being separated heating the material and the flame gases being conducted out the outlet end for continual circulation.

Abstract: A mechanism for the centrifugal separation of mixtures of molten metals and slag, including a rotary housing supported at its upper end by a gimbal ring mounted in an annular ball bearing assembly with the housing including an annular outer wall having an upwardly extending neck connected to the gimbal ring with a rotational drive thereon, an insert sleeve concentric with the outer wall and having a mineral wool insulation therebetween and an inner casing within the sleeve with an inlet opening at the upper end of the inner casing and discharge openings at the lower end of the inner casing with spacers between the casing and sleeve and mountings between the outer wall and sleeve providing for quick disconnection and axial removal of the sleeve and casing from the outer wall, and with a concentrically mounted heater extending upwardly through outlet openings in the base of the inner casing.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating molten aluminum and aluminum alloys to remove solid and gaseous impurities therefrom are disclosed. Molten metal is flowed through an integrated series of successively arranged purification stages including a deslagging stage wherein relatively large particulate impurities are removed from the molten metal by filtering the same through a woven refractory filter, a fluxing stage for removing entrapped and dissolved hydrogen from the molten metal, an adsorption stage wherein the molten metal is passed over a plurality of impurity-adsorbing refractory plates and a final filtration stage wherein the finer particulate impurities are removed by filtering the molten metal through a rigid, porous refractory filter medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating and recovering metallic zinc from an ash-like solid substance composed of a mixture of metallic zinc, zinc oxide and other zinc containing materials is disclosed. This apparatus comprises a saucer-like container of an inverse cone form for receiving dross and a plurality of agitating scraper plates disposed in said container to squeeze out metallic zinc from the dross, discharge means for metallic zinc and discharge means for secondary dross being mounted on an opening formed on the bottom of said cylinder.

Abstract: A non-ferrous metal is recovered from a batch of scrap material by combustion of a fuel to generate heat and transmittal of said heat to the material by convection flow. The flow rate of fuel is regulated to obtain and maintain an optimum temperature below the melting point of the metal causing decomposition of non-metallics in the batch of scrap material within a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: Slag on the surface of a molten metal is drawn into the inlet end of a suction pipe which is provided with a water cooling jacket having orifices permitting the flow of water to the inlet end of the pipe for pelletizing the entering slag. The suction pipe is connected to a separator hopper, which is evacuated by an exhaust pump to create the suction, and which includes a slag discharge port closed by an openable valve. A sealed auxiliary hopper receives slag from the discharge port of the separator hopper when the valve thereof is opened, and also includes a slag discharge port closed by an openable valve. The hopper discharge valves are operated alternately by suitable control means so that when one valve is open the other is closed, thereby enabling slag to be continuously sucked, separated, and intermittently discharged from the auxiliary hopper.