Abstract: The pouring apparatus includes: a ladle including a nozzle and configured to store molten metal; a tilting mechanism configured to tilt the ladle so that a tapping position from the nozzle of the ladle is maintained at a constant position; and a radiation thermometer including a sensor head configured to output a signal related to a temperature at a measurement position and an amplifier configured to process the signal output by the sensor head, wherein the sensor head is disposed so that the measurement position is at the tapping position, and outputs a signal related to a temperature of molten metal in a molten metal flow at the tapping position.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for anchoring refractory materials within a vessel is disclosed that provides for a more reliable refractory anchor and resultant refractory lining system that is easier to install both in terms of the refractory lining and the anchor assembly itself when compared to prior art anchor assemblies. The anchor assembly includes a base pin assembly, and at least one anchor leg connected to and extending from the base pin assembly. The base pin assembly includes a mounting end formed on one end of the pin assembly adapted for securing the base pin assembly to the vessel. The mounting end has an electrical resistance contact point formed thereon. The electrical resistant contact point preferably has a flux material located thereon.

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: An insert and system for removing molten metal from a vessel is disclosed. The insert defines an enclosed cavity, and includes a first opening in its side through which molten metal can enter the cavity, and a second opening at its top through which molten metal can exit the cavity. A trough at the top of the insert directs molten metal exiting the second opening out of the vessel. The system includes the insert and a molten metal pump that forces molten metal through the first opening and into the cavity.

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: The filter of the type made out of fiberglass 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: Coated silica mesh fabrics for use in metal casting operations are disclosed. The refractory coating comprises a mixture of colloidal silica binder and refractory particles such as zirconia flour. A slurry comprising the colloidal silica and refractory particles is applied to the silica mesh fabric and allowed to dry. The coated silica mesh fabric may be used in metal casting operations at relatively high molten metal temperatures above 3,000° F.

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 manufacturing aluminum alloy strip for a lithographic printing plate supports includes a filter, a launder connected to the filter, a liquid level controller connected to the launder, and a melt feed nozzle connected to the liquid level controller. The liquid level controller includes a step to trap settled particles within an aluminum melt which forms the alloy strip. The launder has a length L (m) which satisfies the condition 4?L?V×270×1.2×D, where V is the flow velocity in meters per second of the aluminum melt in the launder and D is the depth in meters of the aluminum melt in the launder.

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 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 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 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: 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.

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: The present invention relates to a metallurgical ladle and more particularly to the bottom of the ladle having an outlet through which the molten metal can drain. An object of the present invention is to increase the efficiency of a ladle draining operation, including reducing the amount of discarded metal, avoiding the premature flow of slag through the outlet, and reducing the contamination of slag in the molten metal effluent. The ladle bottom comprises a plurality of terraces and flow channels, ultimately directing the stream of molten metal to an outlet of the ladle. The terraces are described as capturing slag and the channels permit molten metal to flow preferentially through the outlet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for assaying an ore sample to determine the concentration of gold and PGMs therein. The method comprises the steps of separating an ore sample, combining the prepared ore sample with a lead-containing flux, inductively heating the combination (typically at a pre-determined reference temperature profile) to form a fusion of slag and lead containing the gold and PGMs in the sample and separating the lead from the slag. The invention also covers a receptacle for separating molten lead from slag. The receptacle includes a base with a side wall extending from the base, the side wall defining a top-opening into the receptacle, and the side wall having a collecting cavity set into the side wall, wherein the collecting cavity is sized to collect a pre-determined amount of molten lead.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preventing slag from flowing along when tapping a molten metal out of a metallurgical vessel, whereby the tap 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 tap 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 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: A converter includes a side wall, and a tapping hole placed at the side wall to allow passage of molten steel. A refractory plug is axially spaced apart from the tapping hole with a predetermined distance. The distance between the refractory plug and the tapping hole is in the range of 3-5 d where d indicates the inner diameter of the tapping hole. The refractory plug has one or more heat resisting steel tubes. When the molten steel is discharged through the tapping hole of the converter to the ladle, 0.1-0.4 Nm3/min of inert gas is introduced into the converter through the refractory plug to prevent leakage of the carried over slag.

Abstract: There is provided a filtration and distribution device for a molten metal, which is in the form of a bag having parts made of a solid heat-resistant fabric and open areas made of an open weave heat-resistant fabric. At least some of the parts made of the solid heat-resistant fabric are replaced by rigid parts made of a moldable or thermo-formable composite consisting of an open weave heat-resistant fabric embedded into a matrix made of a heat-resistant inorganic material compatible with the open weave heat-resistant fabric. Preferably, the open weave heat-resistant fabric forming the open areas of the bag, is made of yarns that are rigidified and protected by application thereto of a heat-resistant coating. This coating is preferably made of a heat-resistant inorganic material applied by spraying or dipping after the yarns are weaved. The rigidification can be achieved naturally or by thermal treatment.

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 process and system for purifying molten metal utilize a filter holder which has a spring-loaded clasp for releasably engaging a filter component. The filter holder is particularly well-suited to engaging and releasing a fabric filter having a frame surrounding its perimeter. The process involves releasing the filter component from the filter holder by inserting the filter component into a tapered recess of a mold composite. Another mold composite is mated over the filter component and forms a molten metal flow path, across which the filter is disposed. Then, a feed stream of molten metal is introduced to the flow path and through the filter. An advantage of the filter holder is that the spring tension within the filter holder can be adjusted to allow secure travel before insertion into the tapered recess and easy release of the filter component after insertion is complete.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an ash-melting furnace which can respond to fluctuations in the load and which will be capable of highly efficient and stable operation. In an ash-melting furnace which heats and melts the primary ash and the fly ash obtained by combustion together, this invention is characterized by supplying the primary ash (ash containing rough particles) from upper end of the furnace to form an upper layer of a two-tiered layer of ash, supplying the fly ash (ash containing minute particles) from an upper end of the furnace to form a lower layer of the two-tiered layer of ash, moving the two-tiered layer together towards the far end of the furnace, and heating and melting the two-tiered layer by a burner to form molten slugs during the moving step. When the burner is an oxygen-enriched burner, this configuration makes it possible to control the volume of oxygen to be added to the burner air (including changing the density of the oxygen).

Abstract: A slag control body transfer and automatic release apparatus for carrying and releasing a slag control body and a molten metal receptacle adapted for subsequently guiding the slag control body are disclosed. The molten metal receptacle includes top and bottom end portions and an interior region therein, the bottom end portion including a discharge nozzle disposed therein for discharging molten metal from the interior region of the molten metal receptacle. A guiding opening is disposed in the top end portion for aligning the slag control body within the opening as the slag control body passes through the opening and subsequently falls into the interior region of the molten metal receptacle. The guiding opening is tapered inwardly in a direction from the top end portion to the bottom end portion. The transfer apparatus includes a hook apparatus that automatically releases the slag control body as the slag control body is lowered towards the inwardly tapered opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the yield of molten metal discharged from a metal production vessel limits the slag carryover by reducing turbulence of metal pouring through a discharge opening by inhibiting a vortex over the discharge opening, automatically sensing the presence of slag in the discharge opening, and terminating discharge through the opening in response to the detection of changing content through the discharged opening passage. Preferably, the inhibiting function includes inserting a slag reduction device, preferably a refractory body and maintaining the position of the device over the discharge nozzle. Preferably, the sensor is an electromagnetic coil that determines the change in content of the flow through the opening passage without direct contact with the contents of the opening. The combination of the slag vortex inhibitor and the flow content sensor is substantially improved metal pouring yield as demonstrated by actual slag reduction results.

Abstract: An installation for eliminating impurities during casting of metals, comprising at least one casting ladle (2) which forms an outlet siphon (3) and can tilt around a transverse axis (14). Starting from the siphon (3), the casting ladle (2) is prolonged by a conduit (4) which ends at a scum-retaining pan (5), wherein the conduit forms a single piece with the ladle and the pan. The pan (5) has outlet orifices (7) at the bottom and is externally lined with a ceramic cloth (10) which acts as a filter for retention of impurities.

Abstract: A radial-flow, wide-pouring molten-metal distributor comprising a curved or arcuate overflow weir which is normally horizontal on its top and which is concave on its upstream side as viewed from above. Over this arc-shaped overflow weir flows molten metal to be continuously cast in an open pool. An impetus is thereby imparted to the molten metal along diverging radial lines. The flow so impelled continues radially onto a horizontal apron. The flow spreads fanwise to the desired width which may be as much as six times the width of the weir. Thence, the metal cascades or flows uniformly into the casting apparatus. The overflow weir is preferably supplemented by a skimmer mounted above it in substantially uniform spaced aligned relationship, thereby completing a slot beneath the skimmer through which the molten metal flows. When employed for the casting of wide, thin product, the invention results in a far more uniform and gentle distribution of metal than heretofore available.

Abstract: A dam surrounding a slag tap on a refractory covered, boiler-tube floor for holding back a protective slag layer. The dam is comprised of a plurality of adjacent refractory blocks mechanically secured to the refractory covered, boiler-tube floor near the slag tap. Each refractory block is shaped to brace an adjacent refractory block against motion toward the slag tap. Additional dams are used when a single dam is not sufficient to cover the entire surface of the floor with slag.

Abstract: A flow control device for the outlet of a molten metal handling vessel is provided for use towards the end of the pouring of molten metal through the outlet. The flow control device has a head portion and a tail portion with flow channels defined between the head and tail portions to reduce vortex effects in the molten metal, the tail portion being contoured to fit into a correspondingly contoured entrance to the outlet with the flow channels leading into the outlet and the device being attached to a refractory positioning device so that it can be fitted into the outlet during flow of the molten metal through the outlet. The head includes a baffle plate covering the outlet.

Abstract: A flow control device for the outlet nozzle for a molten metal handling vessel, such as a ladle, includes a plug that fits in the outlet nozzle to define a gap between the plug and a closure for the nozzle. The plug has a plurality of apertures which are closed by steel plates, or other material, that melts under the influence of the molten metal in the vessel. When molten metal is placed into the vessel and the closure for the outlet is opened, the molten metal flows into the apertures, melting the meltable material in the apertures, and out the outlet. Using a device and method described allows the amount of molten metal in a ladle to be reduced to about 0.5%, and a greater than 99% free opening rate can be provided.

Abstract: A slag control shape is releasably mounted on a mounting member carried on a cover of a molten metal vessel. A movable member is carried on the cover and moved by an actuator into engagement with and moving the mounting member to move the mounting member to a position releasing the slag control shape for insertion into the molten metal vessel. The actuator is a fluid operated cylinder having an extensible piston rod which is engageable with the movable member to move the movable member into engagement with the mounting member. A valve actuated remotely from the cover supplies pressurized fluid to the cylinder to extend the piston rod. Alignment sensors are mounted on the cover and an actuator support to ensure that the cover is rotatably positioned on the molten metal vessel to align the actuator and movable members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling slag in a trough of a tilting furnace or in a free-standing tilting vessel. On a tilting furnace, the apparatus is mounted on a trough extending from the furnace tap hole and has a reservoir for receiving flow of molten metal and slag from the trough. The reservoir has a slag opening. One of its walls functions as a dam with a bottom opening. A passage extends from the bottom opening along a weir which terminates at an elevation above the bottom opening but below the slag opening. The molten metal flows over the weir and out of the device. The slag is retained in the reservoir and is discharged from the reservoir through the slag opening. In the free-standing tilting vessel, there is a reservoir, slag opening, dam portion, bottom opening, passage and weir, of a substantially similar design as that of the apparatus attached to a trough of a tilting furnace.

Abstract: Molten (M) is poured into a receiver (8,28) designed to reduce fume and then out into an open area (P) via an outlet (9,29) designed to cause the metal (M) to flow in a laminar flow. A hood (11) may be present above the receiver (8,28).

Abstract: A slag control shape is releasably mounted on a cover for a molten metal vessel. An actuator is connected to a slag control shape release member to retract the release member from a first position engaged with the slag control shape to a second position separated from the slag control shape to allow the slag control shape to freely drop into the molten metal receptacle. The actuating end of the actuator is located at an easily accessible operator position for remote actuation of the release member. In another embodiment, one end of a cable wound in a plurality of turns about a rotatable shaft mounted in a reel is attached to the slag control shape. A spring biasingly engages the shaft to control the rate of rotation of the shaft and thereby the rate of payout of the cable and the rate of descent of the slag control shape into the molten metal vessel.

Abstract: A slag control shape is releasably mounted on a cover for a molten metal vessel. An actuator is connected to a slag control shape release member to move the release member from a first position engaged with the slag control shape to a second position disengaged from the slag control shape to allow the slag control shape to descend into the molten metal vessel. Upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as a predetermined weight of molten metal in the vessel or a predetermined total time of molten metal discharge from the vessel, a controller generates a signal to the actuator to automatically release the slag control shape into the vessel. The controller is located remote from the actuator and transmits the activation signal to the actuator by radio frequency signals, directly through an electrical conductor, or to a light emitter which transmits a light beam to a photodetector mounted on the cover.

Abstract: A flow control device comprising a baffle plate and a plurality of dividers radially disposed about a nozzle through which liquid is to be discharged and adapted to space the plate from the nozzle. The device finds particular application in substantially eliminating any entrainment of a supernatant phase such as metallurgical slag or of an oxidizing atmosphere resulting from the formation of vortexing funnels disrupting liquid flow in a draining container.

Abstract: A slag stopper assembly for use in a tundish vessel includes a chamber for reducing the flow of slag to the tundish drain and a stopper plunger for regulating the flow of liquid metal through the drain. The chamber includes a central opening for receiving the stopper plunger, and the stopper plunger is retractably movable relative to the chamber through the central opening. In accordance with the invention, a sealing rim is present on the stopper plunger, or on an inner wall of the chamber, or both, in order to reduce the retractable movement of the stopper plunger, reduce the amount of slag which enters the chamber as a result of such movement, and seal off the central opening of the chamber from the tundish drain when the stopper plunger is in a retracted position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling slag in a trough of a tilting furnace or in a free-standing tilting vessel. On a tilting furnace, the apparatus is mounted on a trough extending from the furnace tap hole and has a reservoir for receiving flow of molten metal and slag from the trough. The reservoir has a slag opening. One of its walls functions as a dam with a bottom opening. A passage extends from the bottom opening along a weir which terminates at an elevation above the bottom opening but below the slag opening. The molten metal flows over the weir and out of the device. The slag is retained in the reservoir and is discharged from the reservoir through the slag opening. In the free-standing tilting vessel, there is a reservoir, slag opening, dam portion, bottom opening, passage and weir, of a substantially similar design as that of the apparatus attached to a trough of a tilting furnace.

Abstract: A slag control shape is releasably mounted on a cover for a molten metal vessel. An actuator is connected to a slag control shape release member to retract the release member from a first position engaged with the slag control shape to a second position separated from the slag control shape allowing the slag control shape to freely drop into the molten metal receptacle. The actuating end of the actuator is located at an easily accessible operator position for remote actuation of the release member. In one embodiment, the actuator is a flexible cable attached at one end to the release member mounted on the cover and having a second end located remote from the cover at an easily accessible operator position. In another embodiment, one end of a cable wound in a plurality of turns about a rotatable shaft mounted in a reel is attached to the slag control shape.

Abstract: A tundish baffle having a plurality of fluted openings is provided. The fluted openings interrupt and remove inclusions from molten metal passing through the baffle, using a plurality of obstructive peaks and valleys located at the perimeters of the openings. The fluted openings also include central portions which are not obstructed by the flutes, through which molten metal can flow in a regular fashion.

Abstract: A slag control shape is releasably mounted on a cover for a molten metal vessel. An actuator is connected to a slag control shape release member to retract the release member from a first position engaged with the slag control shape to a second position separated from the slag control shape allowing the slag control shape to freely drop into the molten metal receptacle. The actuating end of the actuator is located at an easily accessible operator position for remote actuation of the release member. In one embodiment, the actuator is a flexible cable attached at one end to the release member mounted on the cover and having a second end located remote from the cover at an easily accessible operator position. In another embodiment, a pair of eccentric cams are mounted on the cover and the molten metal receptacle and pivot into engagement upon a downward force exerted on the actuator cable to retract the release member from engagement with the slag control shape.

Abstract: A channel bag and a one piece spout sock and channel bag assembly for casting metal ingots. The channel bag includes diverter strips along upper portions of the sides and a diverter panel in the bottom of the channel bag positioned to be beneath a downspout during a casting process. The diverter strips and panel deflect poured molten metal and reduce turbulence during the casting process thereby reducing the formation of oxides and other impurities. In the one piece spout sock and channel bag assembly, the spout sock is utilized to receive and properly align a downspout. An ingot casting procedure utilizing the apparatus of the present invention reduces or eliminates the use of skimmers and ingot scalping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting metal strip in which molten metal is introduced between a pair of parallel casting rollers via a metal delivery nozzle disposed above the nip between the rollers, wherein the delivery nozzle comprises an elongate trough to receive molten metal, a nozzle outlet slot extending longitudinally along the bottom of the trough, a baffle structure extending above the slot, and a pair of flow passage means spaced apart laterally of the trough, one to each side of the outlet slot and each providing for flow of molten metal from the trough interior above the baffle structure into the trough interior below the baffle structure.

Abstract: Controlling the linear velocity of melt discharge from the discharge outlets of a melt distribution device so as to essentially negate reverse flow from the walls of the mold has been found to produce less oxides and less surface detects in an ingot, particularly an aluminum ingot. This discharge is controlled from the outset of the casting of an ingot because it has been found most defects occur within the initial phase of a cast. A melt distribution device, referred to as a "bag-in-a-bag", is provided which is a pressureless interiorly partitioned receptacle. The partitioning of the receptacle provides an outer bag and a melt-impermeable inner bag in which a pool of melt collects. The pool is deep enough to submerge the discharge end of a spout, to dissipate the kinetic energy of the incoming melt, and to distribute melt from a central zone to discharge zones on either side of the central zone.

Abstract: A refractory article is provided for the prevention of vortexing in molten metal as it is drained through a nozzle in a metallurgical vessel. The article has at least one rib extending substantially radially outwardly from an opening therein for draining of molten metal from the vessel, said rib protruding upwardly from an inner surface of the article so as to prevent the formation of rotating boundary layer flow within the molten metal.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating molten salt by-product phase from molten uranium or molten uranium alloy product phase using a barrier which passes molten salt but retains molten uranium or molten uranium alloy. The operation of the barrier relies on the differences in the physical behavior of said molten salt from the behavior of said molten uranium or molten uranium alloy as they interact with each other and with said barrier.

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.

Abstract: A refractory article is provided for the prevention of vortexing in molten metal as it is drained through a nozzle in a metallurgical vessel. The article has at least on rib extending substantially radially outwardly from an opening therein for draining of molten metal from the vessel, said rib protruding upwardly from an inner surface of the article so as to prevent the formation of rotating boundary layer flow within the molten metal.