Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of alloy-smelting facilities, and provides an aluminum-based ultra-thin launder. The launder has a body with a wall thickness of 12 mm to 25 mm. The body has a segmented structure, including a part of alloy in, a first launder, a second launder and a part of alloy out that are connected in sequence. The body of the launder provided in the present invention is lighter and thinner. The cost of production and use is reduced due to the significantly-decreased wall thickness and weight. The connection mode for components of the body is changed, which is beneficial to the replacement, and fundamentally lowers the risk of a repair material contaminating melted alloy.

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

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

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a low-oxygen copper wire is provided, in which a dehydrogenating treatment can be performed without requiring a long moving distance of molten copper, and the generation of holes in solidification is suppressed, whereby high quality low-oxygen copper wire can be obtained having superior surface quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to a melt launder (1, 9, 10) comprising a bottom and edged, 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: The present invention relates to a method, whereby the non-ferrous metal content of the slag generated in the production of non-ferrous metals such as copper or nickel in a suspension smelting furnace is reduced by charging metallurgical coke, with a size ranging from 1-25 mm, into the furnace. Baffles can be positioned from the roof of the furnace downwards, by means of which small particles containing copper and nickel are prevented from drifting to the back of the furnace and being tapped with the slag. The baffles force the small particles to settle in the reduction zone of the furnace.

Abstract: A casting furnace for continuous casting of magnesium comprises a furnace body divided into at least two compartments by at least one vertical weir. Inside each compartment, an upper layer of molten magnesium is in contact with a lower layer of a liquid heating medium, preferably a molten salt. The top of the weir is situated below a maximum level of the molten magnesium in the furnace. The weir is free of openings between its top and the magnesium/salt interface. The molten magnesium from primary (electrolytic) production or an alloy preparation furnace is introduced into a feed compartment of the furnace through a discharge pipe having means to direct the magnesium horizontally along the magnesium/salt interface, thereby minimizing intermixing of the magnesium and salt layer.

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

Abstract: The invention includes an article and method for creating an erosion-resistant surface in a trough adapted to receive molten metal. The article includes a trough having a working lining and a pre-cast shape anchored at an erosion zone. The working lining and the precast shape define the interior volume of the trough. The precast shape can be anchored by, for example, mortar, undercuts, mechanical fasteners or, preferably, by combinations thereof. The method comprises casting a working lining within the trough and anchoring the precast shape at the erosion zone. The method includes installing a form in the trough, casting a working lining into the trough, and anchoring the erosion-resistant precast shape at the erosion zone. The form may be removable, and the precast shape may be at least a portion of the form. Conveniently, the form includes undercuts adapted to anchor the precast shape into the trough, and the precast shape includes mortar locks.

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 composite material mixture of free flowing reinforcement particles in a molten metal is solidified at a cooling rate greater than about 15.degree. C. per second between the liquidus and solidus temperatures of the matrix alloy. This high cooling rate imparts a homogeneous structure to the solid composite material. Care is taken to avoid the introduction of gas bubbles into the molten composite material while the mixture is stirred to prevent segregation of the particles. For viscous melts, an artificial surface layer such as a fiberglass blanket may be used to prevent entrapment of bubbles during pre-casting stirring. Additionally, gas bubbles are removed from the molten mixture by filtering and skimming.

Abstract: A ladle (1) comprising a main portion (5), an outlet (3) and an inductor assembly (2) fitted onto the main portion. The main portion comprises a cavity (13) defined by a refractory lining, provided with at least one opening (21) and shaped so that no pockets of molten metal remain after pouring. Consequently, the metal flows more readily, and hot deslagging and metal temperature measurement are made easier. The ladle is useful for maintaining the temperature of high melting point metals such as steel or superalloys for processes requiring metal sampling.

Abstract: The invention relates to the repair of vessels, particularly refractory-lined vessels such as are used in steelmaking. Frequently there is wear on the lining of such vessels sufficient to prevent the use of the vessel without repair but insufficient to justify the costs of completely re-lining the vessel.

Abstract: A launder for discharging melt from a metallurgical furnace is disclosed which includes a launder body having one end connected to the furnace. The launder body defines a fluid passageway for allowing the melt, flowing from the metallurgical furnace into the one end to flow therethrough in a direction away from the furnace. The launder body includes a threshold portion for determining the melt level in the furnace, above which the melt in the furnace begins to flow into the launder body. The launder body further includes a closing portion constructed to receive a closing material thereon to close the fluid passageway of the launder body. The closing portion is arranged at a position displaced downstream with respect to the threshold portion and has a bottom lower than the threshold portion. Additionally, a metallurgical furnace installation using the above launder is disclosed, in which a pair of the launders are arranged while ensuring space for casting or removing operations of castable.

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 method and apparatus are provided for separating molten metal and slag from a rotating furnace. The apparatus includes a vessel having a reservoir which is positioned to receive a free-falling flow of molten metal and slag as it exits a tap hole in the furnace. The reservoir has a predetermined flow path therethrough, a molten metal outlet, a slag opening and a drain hole. The flow path includes a first portion having an open top for receiving the flow of molten metal and slag. The first portion is configured to eliminate turbulence caused by the free-falling flow of molten metal and slag into the reservoir and to permit separation of the molten metal from the slag wherein the slag floats on top of the molten metal. The molten metal is collected from the metal outlet for further processing and the slag is collected for disposal.

Abstract: A composite material mixture of free flowing reinforcement particles in a molten metal is solidified at a cooling rate greater than about 15.degree. C. per second between the liquidus and solidus temperatures of the matrix alloy. This high cooling rate imparts a homogeneous structure to the solid composite material. Care is taken to avoid the introduction of gas bubbles into the molten composite material while the mixture is stirred to prevent segregation of the particles. For viscous melts, an artificial surface layer such as a fiberglass blanket may be used to prevent entrapment of bubbles during pre-casting stirring. Additionally, gas bubbles are removed from the molten mixture by filtering and skimming.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling slag in a tilting furnace. The apparatus is mounted on a trough extending from the furnace tap hole and has a reservoir for receiving the flow from the trough. The reservoir has a slag opening and 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, and the slag is retained in the reservoir and is discharged from the reservoir through the slag opening.

Abstract: A launder system for supplying molten metal from a crucible to a casting mould or a secondary process has a nozzle with a filter positioned therein to filter the molten metal as it flows through the nozzle. The nozzle and filter assembly is removably attachable to the launder system, and is used once and then replaced by a new nozzle and filter assembly. Efficient cleaning of the molten metal thus occurs without an increase in blockage due to the filter. Additionally, the scrapping rate of the launder system is reduced, allowing multiple usage of the launder.

Abstract: A metallurgical furnace installation is disclosed which includes a metallurgical furnace for holding a metal melt therein, a melt launder, and a drain launder. The furnace has an outlet for discharging the melt and a drain hole for draining the melt remaining in the furnace. The drain hole is formed at a bottom of the furnace so as to be openable and closable. The melt launder has one end connected to the outlet of the furnace and is inclined downwardly in a direction away from the furnace, whereby the melt in the metallurgical furnace is tapped therethrough toward the other end. The drain launder has one end connected to the drain hole and the other end connected to the melt launder, and is inclined from the one end toward the other end, whereby the drained melt flows therethrough into the melt launder.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling slag in a tilting furnace is provided. The apparatus comprises a discharge trough, lateral opening, dam, weir, discharge passage, discharge passage gate, and slag gate. The method comprises tilting the furnace to discharge molten metal and slag into the discharge trough, damming and retaining slag in the discharge trough while allowing molten metal to flow through the discharge passage and out of the discharge trough, closing the discharge passage with the discharge passage gate, and opening the slag gate to allow slag to flow out of the discharge trough the lateral opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling slag in a tilting furnace are provided. The apparatus comprises a trough having a lateral opening, a discharge outlet, and a passage for defining a non-linear flow path between the lateral opening and the discharge outlet. The method comprises the steps of tilting the furnace to discharge molten metal and slag into the trough, directing the flow of the molten metal through the flow path in the trough, damming and retaining the slag in the trough while permitting the molten metal to flow out of the trough, and discharging the retained slag through the lateral opening in the trough.

Abstract: An article of refractory holloware for use in a runner assembly for casting molten metals e.g. ferrous metals, has at least one inner surface adapted to increase the internal surface contact area of the article. The surface is so arranged as to effect at least two abrupt changes of direction of flow of molten metal flowing through the article. Use of the article minimizes the level of non-metallic inclusions in ingots and castings.

Abstract: A channel made from refractory elements is fabricated without gaps or expansion joints between the refractory elements by supporting the channel upon a movable carriage to accommodate the lengthwise expansion of the channel as the temperature of the channel is increased from room temperature to its operating temperature.

Abstract: A runner system for receiving and conveying molten slag at the end of an iron pour includes a permanent trough-like construction in which precast side wall panels are removably positioned together with a rammed in place bottom between the side wall panels to form a runner system capable of resisting the increased corrosive properties of slag and having a predetermined life.

Abstract: A covered trough for conveying molten metal, wherein the trough includes a channel of refractory material within a metal shell, and the cover includes a layer of refractory insulation to reduce heat loss and means for preheating the trough such as a gas-fired radiant heater. Adjacent trough modules are joined together in an abutting end-to-end fashion, so that metal may flow between modules, by resilient joining means which elongate or contract to absorb differences in thermal expansion between parts of each trough module, to avoid the build up of large thermal stresses which might cause premature failure of the refractory parts.

Abstract: Molten pig iron flows from the hearth of a blast furnace down a runner positioned on the floor of a cast house and into ladles for receiving the iron. The runner is constructed by a plurality of precast refractory side blocks and an interconnecting base of compacted particulate refractory material to form a substantially U-shaped trough extending a preselected distance and along a preselected path from the hearth to one or more ladles for conveying the iron from the blast furnace. The trough has opposed upstanding side walls and a floor extending between the bottom of the side walls. The side walls are formed by individual side blocks positioned in abutting end to end relation on the cast house floor. The compacted base forming the trough floor extends between and interconnects with the side blocks. The adjacent ends of the side blocks are notched to form a joint for receiving castable refractory material which upon setting interlocks the ends of adjacent side blocks.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling emissions from the cast house of a blast furnace system includes hood means covering the iron trough from the blast furnace, the hood means having a hatchway formed therein adjacent to the blast furnace discharge notch and closed by a vertically-removable hatch cover which is raised and lowered by cables which extend upwardly over sheaves carried by a yoke assembly mounted on the bustle pipe immediately above the iron trough and then to a remote winch. Means are provided on the yoke assembly for latching the latch cover in its 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: A ceramic interiorly threaded hollow insert for incorporation in a refractory preformed shape such as hot metal runners into which eyelet carrying bolts may be threaded so that the preformed shapes can be handled by mechanical means. The ceramic insert is made of material similar to that of the preformed shape with which it is used. The ceramic insert is bonded in the preformed shape during the drying and baking formation thereof.

Abstract: A hot metal gate for use in prefabricated hot metal runners takes the form of a prefabricated largely refractory unit that may be partially consumable and/or disintegratable when in contact with molten metal. The density of the material helps determine the known life of the hot metal gate when the same is exposed to molten metal in the hot metal runners. The gate is movably positioned by attachment to a lifting device.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for removing inclusions and inclusion clusters from a molten metal or alloy stream prior to casting. In the process, the molten metal is passed through a flotation box having a primary chamber and a secondary chamber located within the primary chamber. The primary chamber is provided with entry and exit portions, one on each side of the secondary chamber so that the stream of molten metal or alloy is directed to flow into the primary chamber, flowing beneath the secondary chamber and out the exit portion. Inclusions and inclusion clusters float to the surface of the molten metal or alloy in the secondary chamber prior to the exiting of the molten metal or alloy stream from the primary chamber through the exit portion for supply to a casting station.

Abstract: A process for recovering energy from substances having a high temperature, in particular for recovering energy from molten slag material obtained in metallurgical processes, the heat being emitted by said substances by radiation, being recovered in regions, positioned at distance from said substances. In case of liquid substances such as molten slag material, this is conveyed during the recovery of radiation heat.

Abstract: A guide trough for molten products comprising an elongated body made of monolithic refractory material. A runway for conducting molten products is formed in the top surface of the elongated body, and a pair of reinforcing beams are embedded within the elongated body extending longitudinally thereof on opposite sides of the runway and proximate the top surface in which the runway is formed. Cross-members are spaced apart longitudinally of the elongated body and extend across the bottom thereof for interconnecting the reinforcing beam. Recesses in the elongated body expose portions of the reinforcing beams to render accessible portions of the reinforcing beams to allow them to be engaged, in use, by hooks for lifting the guide trough.

Abstract: A runner for hot metal as from a blast furnace is formed of a series of interconnected modular units which are prefabricated, preferably from consumable, combustible and/or disintegratable materials of desired densities. A plurality of tunnel-like refractory lined covers are positioned continuously of the runner formed of the interconnected modular units so as to confine fumes, gas, smoke and other air pollutants. Vacuum devices are in communication with the covers so as to remove the air pollutants from the same and direct them through scrubbers and/or precipitron equipment to remove the air pollutants before the air entrained in the system is released to atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for containing fume emanating from the surface of molten iron or slag flowing along an open stretch of runner in a casthouse comprises directing an air curtain across the open stretch of runner.

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.