Abstract: A furnace maintains metal in a molten condition as a melt, and part of the melt is exposed in a charging well where lightweight solid scrap is introduced into the furnance. A vortex generator imparts a vortex to the melt within the well, so that lightweight solid scrap is quickly submerged in the well. The vortex generator includes an impeller which rotates within the well and actually creates the vortex. In addition, it has an elevator from which the impeller is suspended as well as a drive motor for turning the impeller, with the motor being on the elevator. An elevator frame serves to guide the elevator and the elevator frame is in turn connected to a trolley which runs along a track that passes over the charging well, but also extends well beyond it.

Abstract: Apparatus for on-line degassing and filtering aluminum and its alloys, constituted by a thermally insulated container body, provided with a removable lid (2) incorporating heating means (7) for heating the metal to be processed, said container body being internally subdivided, by means of a vertical partitioning wall (11) into two chambers communicating with each other only near the bottom of the container, wherein in one of said two chambers, provided with an inlet for the liquid metal to be processed, injection means (13, 14) are provided, for injecting inert, and/or active gases, which are so located as to perform a degassing in countercurrent relatively to the entering metal stream, while at the bottom of the second chamber at least a substantially horizontal plate, or wall (12) is provided, made of a porous material, such as ceramic, graphite, or the like, which is positioned spaced apart from the bottom of the container, such to allow the metal, coming from the first chamber, to flow upwards, and pass t

Abstract: A process is described for creating the flow properties to filtration residues from sodium production. These viscous-to-hard filter residues can be changed into a thin-fluid consistency by intensively agitating them under an inert gas for 2-6 hours at temperatures between 300.degree. and 600.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a chamber with an inner and outer sidewall wherein fluxing gas inlets are provided on the inner sidewall and a space is provided between the inner and outer sidewall with a heating element and an air space between the heating element and the inner sidewall for providing uniform heating of the inner sidewall.

Abstract: In the production of alloy by evaporation from an evaporation bath and condensation under vacuum, charge replenishment is achieved by a procedure involving bleeding charge from the bath and admixing the bled charge with replenishment material and introducing replenishment from the admixture. An apparatus for use in the process comprises a mixing passageway encompassing an evaporation bath and distributed sub-surface bleed ports and feed ports linking the evaporation bath and the mixing chamber. Flow of metal through the ports is induced by pumped circulation in the mixing chamber. The circulation is turbulent for good mixing of the metals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing liquid iron from iron oxide, wherein the iron oxide is substantially converted to sponge iron by passing reducing gas through it in a reduction column and is then melted in a melt vessel which is in open communication with the reduction column by heat generated by reaction of oxygen-containing gas and carbonaceous material which reaction provides said reducing gas. To improve control of the process, the oxygen-containing gas and the carbonaceous material are respectively substantially pure oxygen and coal powder which are delivered separately into the melt vessel, and the liquid iron bath in the melt vessel is stirred so as at least partly to be kept in motion. By separate control of the oxygen and coal supplies, e.g. the level and/or direction of delivery, and by control of stirring, it is possible to control the ratio of CO and CO.sub.2 in the reducing gas and also the heat output in the melt vessel.

Abstract: A process for feeding metal to molten metal, in particular for the purpose of melting solid metal such as scrap metal or dross granules, is such that at least part of the melt is divided and each divided part set into motion rotating in opposite directions so that at least two rotating streams or "rolls" of molten metal are produced. The central axes of these rotating streams of molten metal form an angle. The metal to be melted is charged at the place where the two "rolls" of molten metal meet. The "rolls" of molten metal are produced by introducing the molten metal into a pair of pipe lengths approximately perpendicular to their central axes and approximately tangential to the cross section of the said pipe lengths, the central axes forming an angle, or by causing the molten metal in the pipe lengths to rotate by means of electrodynamic forces.

Abstract: A charge channel opens into a primary melting chamber and comprises a substantially vertically extending first section and a second section which follows the first section and opens substantially tangentially into a cylindrically shaped bottom portion of the primary melting chamber. The charge channel is charged with melting stock by means of a funnel-shaped melting stock infeed. A jet of molten metal is fed into the first section by passage means comprising a pump and a conduit. The jet of molten metal is mixed in this first section with the melting stock which is infed into and passed through the first section in a free-falling movement. The melting stock is enclosed and entrained by the jet of molten metal which is tangentially injected into the melt-containing bottom portion of the primary melting chamber. A turbulent flow is thereby generated in the primary melting chamber and keeps the melting stock in motion during finish melting.

Abstract: An apparatus for chlorination of molten magnesium chloride salts, comprising a shell lined with a refractory material and having the interior thereof formed by walls, a bottom and a cover. The lower portion of the shell walls is provided with chlorine inlet means whereas the upper portion has a melt feed inlet means and a chlorinated melt outlet means. The interior of the shell is so tapered downward that its clear opening, F.sub.1, at the level of the chlorine inlet means is not over 0.3 times the clear opening, F.sub.2, at the level of the melt feed inlet means and the chlorinated melt outlet means.

Abstract: A molten metal stirring apparatus stirs molten metal by sucking the molten metal into a riser linked to a melting furnace beneath the surface of molten metal in the melting furnace, and returning the molten metal in the riser into the melting furnace. The apparatus includes an electric heater for heating the riser and provided in the vicinity of the position reached by the molten metal drawn into the riser. A changeover valve is linked to the upper end of the riser. A vacuum source, for reducing the pressure inside the upper end of the riser, is connected to the changeover valve. A duct, leading exhaust gas from the melting furnace to the upper end of the riser, is connected to the changeover valve. A heater for heating the riser is provided coaxially with and on the outer periphery of the riser.

Abstract: The device comprises a plurality of superimposed sectional plates each of which is provided with aligned holes defining a plurality of ducts lying in side-by-side relation, each of the ducts containing a plurality of helically twisted vanes which are angularly displaced with respect to one another at angles of substantially 90.degree..

Abstract: This invention proposes a gas pump for use in metallurgical industry.The gas pump for stirring a molten metal (1) in a melting chamber (2) comprises a refractory-lined pipe (3) with a removable cover (5) formed with an opening (6) adapted to communicate an inner passage (4) of the pipe (3) with a compressed gas supply system (7) and with a vacuum system (8). The upper wall of the lower portion (11) of the pipe (3) is made thicker and is formed with at least one auxiliary duct (11) brought in communication with the inner passage (4) of the pipe (3) through a tangential inlet (9) having its outlet portion directed along the flow of metal at the moment of its expulsion from the pipe (3).

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the charge distribution in a blast furnace is constituted by a large number of arms disposed in a circle in the top of the furnace, the upper end of each arm being attached to the shell of the furnace through a link so as to be tiltable relative to the shell, a plate fixed to the lower portion of the arm and facing toward the center of the furnace, and a mechanism including a push rod for inclining the arm with respect to the axis of the furnace in a direction for pushing the lower portion of the arm toward the furnace center. The link, arm and push rod make up a link mechanism. The linear motion of the push rod expands the paired link and arm and inclines the plate while pushing the plate inward.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a refractory-lined pipe (5) with a removable cover (6) formed with an opening provided to communicate the interior of the pipe (5) with a compressed gas supply system (8) and a vacuum system (9). This pipe (5) is arranged in a stepped conduit (4) of a tubular structure (3) from a refractory material. Positioned beneath the lower end of the pipe (5) and coaxially therewith on a stepped protection (10) of the wall of the conduit (4) formed in the structure (3) is a sleeve (11) from a porous material. Formed between the external side surface of the sleeve (11) and the wall of the conduit (4) is an annular space (12) confined from below by an annular cover (16) with an opening (17) for communicating the space (12) with a refining gas supply source (18).

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: In the process of melting metal, a portion of molten metal is alternately withdrawn from beneath the surface of the body of molten metal and is expelled into the lower part of a metal holding means through a pipe of a gas-dynamic pump, which pipe, fitted in a cover of the metal holding means, is mounted for axial reciprocation and angular swinging in a ball-and-socket joint to thereby enable fan-like projection of a submerged metal jet within the limits of an angle corresponding to the dimensions of the metal holding means, thus providing for effective stirring of the melt body throughout the bottom area; stepwise reciprocation of the pump pipe is effected by means of a pneumatic positioning device, and the frequency of the metal-withdrawing and metal-expelling cycles is alternated during operating process with the aid of a preset time relay.

Abstract: A process involving a static mixer for the continuous production of metal alloys is such that molten metal is passed through a filter bed of loose particulate material exposed to atmospheric pressure. The alloying addition is made to the metal via a proportioning and feed device as the metal enters the filter bed. As a result the alloy components are dissolved in the molten metal and, due to the repeated division and reuniting of the streams of charge in the bed, the alloying elements are mixed with the metal before leaving the mixing chamber. The degree of mixing can be changed by changing the size of particles in the granular bed.

Abstract: A method of agitating a bath of melted metal for treating the same by blowing gas into a one piece columnar body of such melted metal disposed in the bath to cause the apparent specific gravity of the columnar body to be reduced and to thereby be hydrostatically lifted, and returning the lifted portion of the melted metal to the bath by pouring the same with a splashing effect onto the free surface of the bath, in a manner to continuously change the pouring position on the free surface of the bath, thereby causing improved agitation of the bath, and especially improved contact and mixing of the melted metal and a treating agent generally floating on the free surface of the bath.

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: An improved device for distributing and stirring the contents of a furnace having a plurality of vertically disposed electrodes, said improved device including a circular track disposed adjacent the upper periphery of said furnace, a first transport carriage, motor means for moving said first transport carriage, an elongated non-circular trackway supported by said first transport carriage, a second transport carriage, a non-circular trackway, means to move said second transport carriage back and forth, a furnace contents working device connected to said second transport carriage, and means to vary the angular disposition of said furnace contents working device.

Abstract: For stirring molten metal such as aluminum in a furnace, metal is alternately withdrawn from and discharged as a jet into the body of molten metal, such being effected by successive application of suction and gaseous pressure to a tubular vessel which projects beneath the surface of the molten metal for advantageously delivering the successive quantities in a horizontal direction over a preferably long path. Effective, reliable stirring of the entire body of metal is achieved with one or more such means, the extent of stirring being controllable; the results include saving of energy and of time for furnace operation, and reduction of melt loss.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method of melting metal, particularly reactive metals, such as aluminum, wherein heated molten metal is withdrawn from a first chamber and a portion of the withdrawn molten metal is transferred to a second chamber containing solid metal so as to melt same and a portion of the withdrawn metal is recirculated to the first chamber so as to maintain melt homogenuity therein.

Abstract: A method of and system for removing silicon from a high temperature liquid sodium coolant system for a nuclear reactor. The sodium is cooled to a temperature below the silicon saturation temperature and retained at such reduced temperature while inducing high turbulence into the sodium flow for promoting precipitation of silicon compounds and ultimate separation of silicon compound particles from the liquid sodium.