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

Abstract: Apparatus for producing lead and zinc from concentrates of zinc and lead sulfides or oxides, including: a source of zinc ore and/or lead ore concentrates, iron bearing and carbon containing materials; metallic iron fines and iron oxide fines; carbonaceous reductant; fluxing agent; and a binder; a mixer for forming a mixture from said concentrates and other materials; an agglomerator communicating with the mixer for forming agglomerates from the mixture; a melting furnace for melting the mixture and vaporizing lead and zinc; a pressure sealed feed system communicating with the agglomerator and the melting furnace for introducing agglomerates to the melting furnace; a pressure sealed chamber surrounding the melting furnace; a water-cooled condenser for receiving the vaporized metal and cooling and condensing the metal vapors to liquid metal; a tapping device communicating with the condenser for removing the liquid metal; and associated devices for separating the zinc and lead and recovering the lead and zinc me

Abstract: A slag transport and dumping apparatus, for use with slag, includes a vehicle, a pallet, and a lifting mechanism. The vehicle includes a bed having a pallet interface. The pallet includes a support frame having ground support members, and a transporter interface selectively engaging the pallet interface. A dump container has a slag reservoir. Rear pivots on the container and pallet, together with the lifting mechanism, which is securely mounted to the bed of the vehicle and selectively engages the container, enable secure selective pivoting of the container between slag retaining and pouring configurations. In a loading configuration, the reservoir receives the slag, the container is in the retaining configuration, and the vehicle is removed from the pallet. In a transporting configuration, the container is in the retaining configuration, and the vehicle securely engages the pallet, in carrying relation, thus enabling transport of the pallet.

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

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

Abstract: A collecting pit for receiving molten metal and draining cooling water. The collecting pit (1) is equipped with a drainage layer (5, 6) formed of slag granulate, the grains of the slag granulate being interconnected by means of a binder while maintaining small channels present between these grains. The drainage layer mass also may contain thermally expanding silicic acid. The binder of the drainage layer mass may be a water-activatable heat-resistant binder containing cement, e.g. high-alumina cement. The drainage layer material exhibits a good permeability for water and vapor over a long period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for receiving molten slag and molten metal or alloy resulting from the smelting of ore from a cupola and for separating the slag from the molten metal or alloy. The slag separator of the present invention includes a refracting lining to protect the separator from the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of the molten mixture. During the process of separation, the refractory however, suffers from erosion due to the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of the mixture. A water cooling system is provided including water cooling jackets, provided on the outside of the refractory and surrounding the separation chambers, and water control valves to reduce refractory erosion and greatly increase refractory life. Further, vent holes may be provided in the refractory for venting any water which might leak from the water cooling system. In addition, the separator is provided with two chambers which allow the slag to rise to the top of the metal or alloy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for receiving molten slag and molten metal or alloy resulting from the smelting of ore from a cupola and for separating the slag from the molten metal or alloy. The slag separator of the present invention includes a refracting lining to protect the separator from the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of the molten mixture. During the process of separation, the refractory however, suffers from erosion due to the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of the mixture. A water cooling jacket is provided on the outside of the refractory to reduce refractory erosion and greatly increase refractory life. In addition, the separator is provided with two chambers which allow the slag to rise to the top of the metal or alloy. The slag then flows out of the chambers. The use of two chambers greatly increases the purity of the metal or alloy by allowing almost all of the slag to settle out of the metal or alloy.

Abstract: Dross is removed from molten lead during its refining by scraping the dross by means of a rake up a ramp fitted to the rim of the refining pot, a baffle being placed to trap dross in front of the ramp. The rake may be operated manually or by means of a power operated device.

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: This apparatus provides a slag handling system wherein slag is transported directly from a cupola furnace to a tank of water. The bottom of the tank slopes upwardly from a lower end to an upper end, and the tank forms part of a vibratory conveyor. The water in the tank is maintained at a level below the upper end of the material-supporting surface of the conveyor so that slag exiting from the cupola is quenched by the water and then conveyed upwardly through and out of the water for discharge from the upper end of the material-carrying surface.

Abstract: A process for controlled slow cooling of non-ferrous smelting slags, such as copper slags, for the recovery of the non-ferrous metals contained therein by subsequent crushing, milling and flotation operations is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of pouring the molten slag into a ladle, allowing the slag to slowly cool and solidify in the ladle at least to the point where a shell is formed which is strong enough to withstand dumping from the ladle, dumping the slag from the ladle in a single piece, allowing the dumped slag to cool until its center is substantially solidified, and breaking the dumped slag in small pieces for further cooling, crushing, milling and flotation operations. Alternatively, the top of the slag in the ladle may be water cooled while the slag is allowed to slowly cool in the ladle until its center is substantially solidified. The slag is then dumped and subsequently broken in small pieces.