Abstract: An apparatus to move and preheat metal material (M) to be fed to a container comprises a containing structure, having an internal compartment and provided with a support wall, a conveyor for the material (M), a fume transit section whose volume reduces as it is distanced from said container along the longitudinal development of said containing structure, and a collector for hot fumes (F) whose volume increases in a manner correlated to said reduction in the fume transit section. The collector is located below said conveyor inside the internal compartment essentially along the entire longitudinal development of said containing structure. Moreover, one or more through apertures are made in said support wall to put the conveyor and the collector into fluidic connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tilting mechanism for a tilting metallurgical vessel, in particular a converter, around a horizontal axis, comprising a rotatable shaft and at least one tilting drive mechanism for rotating the vessel about the axis, the at least one tilting drive mechanism has a fixed part and a moving part, wherein the moving part of the at least one tilting drive mechanism is directly connected to one end of the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A converter comprising a container (2) defining a first axis (X); a support ring (3), coaxial to the container (2) and spaced therefrom, equipped with two diametrically opposite supporting pins (6), defining a second axis (Y) which is orthogonal to the first axis (X), adapted to allow the converter to be rotated about said second axis; suspension elements, connecting said container (2) to said support ring (3), restrained at a first end to the container (2) and at a second end to the support ring (3); in which said suspension elements comprise at least three first bars (7) arranged parallel to the first axis (X) and substantially equidistant from each other along said support ring; at least two second bars (8, 8?), each second bar (8, 8?) being orthogonal to said second axis (Y) and diametrically opposite with respect to the other second bar (8?, 8); at least one third bar (9) being arranged parallel to a first plane (X-Y) defined by said first axis (X) and second axis (Y); wherein all said bars are fixed-end

Abstract: Device and method for separating metals and metal oxides thereof, in particular in non-ferrous alloys, such as zinc. To this end, zinc residues (dross) is placed in a rotary drum and heated. After a certain treatment time, pure metal located in the bottom part of the drum is poured out. The invention proposes that the drum be held rotatably on a drive mechanism arranged in the cover of the furnace. This facilitates handling of the drum, more particularly when placing it on its drive mandrel. As a result, it is possible to use larger drums, resulting in a larger capacity and a more efficient process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metallurgical furnace, comprising a furnace body (1), a trunnion ring (2), and a pedestal structure (3). The furnace body (1) is arranged in the trunnion ring (2) rotatably about a rotation axis (A) by means of a supporting arrangement (4) comprising a bearing arrangement (5) between the trunnion ring (2) and the furnace body (1). The supporting arrangement (4) comprises a first connection frame means (7) between the furnace body (1) and the bearing arrangement (5), and a second connection frame means (8) between the bearing arrangement (5) and the trunnion ring (2). The second connection frame means (8) is connected to the trunnion ring (2) by a first attachment (9) providing for movements between the second connection frame means (8) and the trunnion ring (2).

Abstract: A tilting rotary furnace with a door assembly that seals against a furnace vessel. The seal between the door and the furnace vessel allows for regulation of the internal environment of the furnace and control over thermitting of the aluminum. As a result, aluminum recovery may be carried out without the use of salt. A portion of the door may rotate with the furnace vessel and a portion of the door may remain rotationally stationary with respect to the furnace vessel and the rotating portion of the door.

Abstract: The present invention discovers a new structural design technique which provides clearances between refractories 13 and fills the clearances with various types of refractories or refractory materials like in the past and, furthermore, uses another method to secure the heat expansion absorption function and provides a hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth 1 able to prevent contact between the hearth structure and furnace side walls 3 and 4 caused by heat expansion of the refractories 13 and realize safe and smooth operation, that is, a hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth laying two or more layers of refractories between side blocks 9 and 10 built at the inner circumferential end and outer circumferential end of a hearth refractory bed 7 of a rotary furnace hearth 1 and laying a powder or pellet hearth material 16 on its top surface, the hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth 1 characterized by using refractories having a compressive strength of 0.1 to 5 MPa at 800 to 1500° C.

Abstract: A process for producing foamed aluminum in space comprising the steps of: heating aluminum until it is molten; applying the force of gravity to the molten aluminum; injecting gas into the molten aluminum to produce molten foamed aluminum; and allowing the molten foamed aluminum to cool to below melting temperature. The apparatus for carrying out this invention comprises: a furnace which rotates to simulate the force of gravity and heats the aluminum until it is molten; a door on the furnace, which is opened for charging the aluminum into the furnace, closed for processing and opened again for removal of the foamed aluminum; a gas injection apparatus for injecting gas into the molten aluminum within the furnace; and an extraction apparatus adjacent the door for removing the foamed aluminum from the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention discovers a new structural design technique which provides clearances between refractories 13 and fills the clearances with various types of refractories or refractory materials like in the past and, furthermore, uses another method to secure the heat expansion absorption function and provides a hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth 1 able to prevent contact between the hearth structure and furnace side walls 3 and 4 caused by heat expansion of the refractories 13 and realize safe and smooth operation, that is, a hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth laying two or more layers of refractories between side blocks 9 and 10 built at the inner circumferential end and outer circumferential end of a hearth refractory bed 7 of a rotary furnace hearth 1 and laying a powder or pellet hearth material 16 on its top surface, the hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth 1 characterized by using refractories having a compressive strength of 0.1 to 5 MPa at 800 to 1500° C.

Abstract: A rotary furnace apparatus is provided for rapid melting of a variety of virgin and recycled ferrous and non-ferrous metals, which distributes the introduction of the unmelted charge materials and hence the melting heat requirements along an elongate gas-solid-liquid reaction zone within the furnace, according to the distribution of heat available to effect melting. In the case of fine-sized metal charge materials, fluxes and additive reagents, a longitudinally traversing solids injection lance projecting into the furnace is provided with nozzle directed to project a jet of charge down into the bath as it traverses successively backwards and forwards. A traversing oscillating conveyor is provided for coarse-sized scrap metals and the like.

Abstract: Process for melting a metal charge in a rotary furnace equipped with at least one oxygen burner, comprising the steps of:(i) adding between 1.5 and 9% of a charge of solid fuel to the metal charge to form a combined charge; and(ii) injecting at least one jet of oxygen in a direction of the combined charge in the furnace.

Abstract: A kiln system for a process for treatment of aluminum dross residue (NMP) having available aluminum nitride (AlN) and/or free aluminum (Al) and/or aluminum chlorides (AlCl.sub.3) having a particle size within the range of 0.3 to 300 microns, i.e., "fines" to produce a high alumina lightweight aggregate is described. The process is characterized in that the NMP is fed into a rotating sealed kiln and heated to a temperature in the range of 2000.degree. to 4000.degree. F. while feeding oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and water into the kiln with less than about 20% of the total heat energy input for heating the NMP to a temperature between 2000.degree. and 4000.degree. F. being supplied from an external source. The process does not require prior agglomerization of the fines.

Abstract: Temperature maintenance and metallurgical treatment furnace for a metal in liquid state, comprising a closed container for liquid metal provided with a burner of the oxygen-combustible type, a porous plug for the bottom of the container for injecting a neutral stirring gas, and openings for the introduction and/or the removal of metallurgical treatment products. The container is in the form of an insulated enclosure which is rockable about a support axis, with two ducts with vertical component, one which is in the form of a chimney opening in the enclosure close to the vault of the enclosure and serving for the introduction of liquid metal and metallurgical treatment products, the other which is in the form of a chute opening at the level of the bottom of the enclosure and in which the upper opening is in position of liquid metal removal in a rocked position of the enclosure. The burner is mounted in the vault of the enclosure.

Abstract: A continuous preheat charging method including the steps of transferring scrap from a receiving point to a discharge point, preheating scrap adjacent the discharge point prior to delivery of preheated scrap to one of a pair of melting furnaces, and alternately feeding preheated scrap to the pair of melting furnaces. A continuous preheat charging system is also disclosed which includes a scrap charge transfer conveyor having a scrap receiving end and a scrap discharge end together with a weigh feeder station at the scrap receiving end and a preheating station at the scrap discharge end. After scrap is weighed at the weigh feeder station and fed to the transfer conveyor, the scrap is preheated at the preheating station and delivered to a furnace feeder station to be fed on an alternating basis to one of a pair of melting furnaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is an incinerating and melting apparatus for processing materials such as organic matters, inorganic matters and metals, which apparatus has a cylindrical or polygonal horizontal furnace body provided with a material charging port and a melt discharge port formed in the wall thereof, wherein a burner is mounted in the inner surface of the furnace body, the furnace body is oscillatorily rotatable in one and the other directions about its axis, and a melt receiver is detachably secured to the melt discharge port, or wherein the furnace body is fitted in a hood into which the melt discharge port opens and the melt receiver is detachably secured to the hood.

Abstract: A melting furnace has a drum rotating in operating position about an approximately horizontally arranged axis of rotation and being provided within the area of the rear end with a burner and with a discharge opening and comprising within the area of the opposite front end an opening for charging and for extracting combustion gas, the latter opening being provided with a pressure head lid being movable between a closed position and an opened position and maintaining in the closed position an annular gap for the escape of the effluent gases. That end of the drum, which has the opening for charging, is conically shaped and extends into an effluent gas chamber which is connected with a stack via an effluent gas pipe.The drum is swivellably supported within a supporting bed for swivelling movement around an approximately horizontal axis intersecting the axis of rotation and is guided by guide rolls, so that it is possible to give the axis of rotation an inclined position in both directions.

Abstract: A rotary drum comprises a hollow cylindrical outer member, a coaxial hub, and a plurality of spokes pivotally connected to the outer member and to the hub, all the spokes being aligned at the same oblique angle to the radius at the respective connections to the hub. Thermal expansion of the outer member relative to the spokes is accommodated by rotation of the outer member relative to the hub and a consequent change in the oblique angle, so minimizing thermally induced stresses in the spokes. The drum may be used in the production of a metal by deposition from the vapor phase onto the outer surface of the drum.

Abstract: Described is a method for the production of ferrochromium and a rotary furnace employed in such method. Raw chromium ores, fluxes and carbonaceous reducing agent(s) are charged into a rotary furnace into which oxygen or oxygen-enriched air are blown to effect smelting reduction. The layer height of the carbonaceous reducing agent and the time interval during which the layer height should be kept are specified, the reducing agent is used in circulation, while exhaust gases are utilized for pre-heating and pre-reducing of the materials for saving the energy considerably in contrast to the conventional method. The rotary furnace has plural gas-blowing, small holes passing through the furnace shell and the refractory lining. These holes may be arranged as a dual pipe whereby cooling air, fuel or a fuel-oxygen mixture may be blown or an oxidizing gas and a cooling gas such as argon may be blown through the inner pipe and the outer pipe respectively.

Abstract: A converter for refining liquid metals having a cylindrical horizontally disposed vessel (1) with a first opening (6) for charging and pouring and a second opening (13) circumferentially and longitudinally displaced from the first opening for exhaust gases to escape, is disclosed. The circumferential displacement is sufficient to prevent liquid metal from pouring from the second opening (13) when the vessel is rotated from a first position for charging materials into the vessel (1) through the first opening (6) to a second position for pouring the contents of the vessel (1) from opening (6). Cool air is provided to a region between the vessel (1) and a jacket (15) surrounding the vessel (1). A hood (14) collects the exhaust gases from the second opening (13) in any position to which the vessel (1) is rotated when it is used. End and circumferential seals structures are provided where hood (14) longitudinally and circumferentially contacts jacket (15).

Abstract: A tilt drive is provided for a metallurgical vessel which is mounted on a large sprocket wheel driven by two or more reduction gears. The reduction gears are joined by a torque equalizing apparatus which transmits torque from the pinion of one gear to the pinion of the other, thus acting as a forced synchronizer. The torque equalizing apparatus is effective in both the dynamic and static operations of the drive.

Abstract: A drapable, consumable, heat retention shield for hot metal cars has a fibrous refractory sheet disposed between two metallic lattices, the lattices connected by fastening means to retain the sheet to form a panel having a bottom wall, upstanding side walls and a flange extending outwardly from the side walls. In one embodiment the metallic lattices substantially cover the fibrous refractory sheet, while in another embodiment cross strips of metallic lattices are used with a combustible supporting frame provided about the periphery of the fibrous refractory sheet to support the same.

Abstract: A consumable heat retention shield for retaining the heat of the interior lining of a hot metal car includes a combustible framework having a bottom wall, upstanding walls and a flange, with the surface thereof that is to be directly exposed to the hot metal car covered with a layer of refractory material, with the shield being manually positioned on the hot metal car by workmen, and the shield consumable upon pouring of molten metal upon the shield and through the mouth of the hot metal car. Preferably, the shield has a metallic filler material in a cavity thereof to provide additional weight to the shield, which metallic filler material is compatable with the molten metal charged to the hot metal car.

Abstract: A converter for refining liquid metals having a cylindrical horizontally disposed vessel (1) with a first opening (6) for charging and pouring and a second opening (13) circumferentially and longitudinally displaced from the first opening for exhaust gases to escape, is disclosed. The circumferential displacement is sufficient to prevent liquid metal from pouring from the second opening (13) when the vessel is rotated from a first position for charging materials into the vessel (1) through the first opening (6) to a second position for pouring the contents of the vessel (1) from opening (6). Cool air is provided to a region between the vessel (1) and a jacket (15) surrounding the vessel (1). A hood (14) collects the exhaust gases from the second opening (13) in any position to which the vessel (1) is rotated when it is used. End and circumferential seals structures are provided where hood (14) longitudinally and circumferentially contacts jacket (15).

Abstract: A method and means for maximizing the use of the kiln capacity in a rotary kiln, directly reducing metal oxides using solid carbonaceous materials as the source of fuel and reducant, is disclosed involving the creation of an annular dam arrangement within the kiln at a selected position between the feed end and the discharge end dams, which arrangement is located and dimensioned with respect to the end dams, such that the materials in the charge bed suitably fill the kiln volume and have sufficient residence time in the feed end portion of the kiln, to permit adequate heat transfer thereto, thus minimizing the portion of the kiln needed for preheating and maximizing the remaining portion of the kiln available for reduction.

Abstract: A flexible thermal insulating cover member is positioned over the opening of a hot metal containment of a conveying or mixing vessel to reduce the temperature loss from the containment.

Abstract: A rotary furnace for recovering metals, such as aluminum. The furnace includes an outer cylindrical, open-ended drum which is mounted for rotation about its axis. Secured within the drum is a tapered kiln and the kiln is spaced inwardly of the drum to provide an annular chamber therebetween. Salt and aluminum dross and skimmings are introduced into the small diameter end of the kiln and heated, and the molten aluminum and salt are separately withdrawn from the large diameter end of the kiln. The construction of the furnace provides precise concentricity for the rotating kiln, thereby reducing bearing loads and the energy requirements for driving the kiln.

Abstract: In a mixing arrangement including a tiltable mixer provided with a refractory lining and having a horizontally arranged cylindrical mixing chamber with end walls, the mixing chamber is mounted on a base by means of a fixed bearing and an expansion bearing and is supported on the base by means of two aligning carrying trunnions connected to the end walls, one of the carrying trunnions being mounted in the expansion bearing and the other being mounted in the fixed bearing.