Abstract: In a process for the gas reduction of particulate oxide-containing ores, in particular iron-oxide-containing material, in the fluidized-bed process at a pressure of <5 bars, wherein the ore by aid of a reducing gas produced from coal is heated, optionally also pre-reduced, in a fluidized-bed reactor (1) designed as a pre-heating stage (5), subsequently is reduced to sponge iron in at least one fluidized-bed reactor (2, 3) designed as a reduction stage (7, 8), the reducing gas via a reducing-gas feed duct (12) or reducing-gas duct (13) being conducted from the reduction stage (7, 8) to the pre-heating stage (5) in the opposite direction of the material to be reduced and conducted from stage to stage, and being drawn off as an export gas after purification, heat is supplied to the reducing gas fed to the reduction stage (7, 8) and/or pre-heating stage (5), namely by combustion, together with oxygen and/or air, of a portion of the reducing gas provided for the gas reduction in the reduction stage (7, 8) and/o

Abstract: The method and apparatus for enhancing the metallurgical quality of products treated in a furnace with several zones, wherein the temperature and the atmospheric conditions can be controlled. The applies to any type of product treated in a furnace, such as billets, blooms, slugs or slabs. Alternatively, this may be used by iron and steel manufacturers in the production line for sheets, plates, tubes, etc.

Abstract: A method and device for the automation of a cooling section in a hot strip rolling mill, wherein an individual course of cooling over time for each strip point of the metal strip is specified and whereby the cooling specifications can be determined from the desired properties of the steel, independent of variable process value.

Abstract: Method and device for the heat treatment of substrates, wherein the substrates are positioned in the vicinity of a heated, essentially flat furnace body extending over the surface of the substrate. In order to provide a reproducible treatment when treating a number of substrates successively, the temperature of the furnace body is measured so close to the surface adjacent to the substrate that the withdrawal of heat from the furnace body by the substrate can be detected. The introduction of each substrate takes place at a point in time when the temperature measured in this way is, within certain limits, equal to a desired initial treatment temperature Ttrig.

Abstract: Self-reducing agglomerates are provided for use in the production of metal. The agglomerates comprise a mixture of iron oxide containing particles and particles of a reducing agent bonded by use of a pre-gel. The agglomerates are produced by a method and apparatus that provides for mixing and curing thereof. The agglomerates may then be used for reduction thereof for the production of iron.

Abstract: In a method of melting metal of a predetermined liquidus temperature, particularly a non-iron metal, such as magnesium, in a heated melting chamber into which solid metal is introduced and where a stream is generated, the parameters of flow are chosen such that the melting time is, in maximum, half the melting time without this stream under the condition that the temperature of the molten metal, when measured at at least one place in a distance of 5 mm in maximum from the solid metal, does not fall below liquidus temperature. To this end, an apparatus may be provided comprising at least one pump in a melting chamber having an associated heating device. This pump sucks the melt through at least one inlet opening and discharges the melt through at least one outlet opening. Both inlet opening and outlet opening are arranged within the melt bath of the melting chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a heat treating atmosphere derive from at least one sensor placed in situ in the atmosphere a process variable, which is indicative of the ratio of gaseous hydrogen H2 (g) to water vapor H2O (g) in the atmosphere. The systems and methods use the process variable, e.g., to control the atmosphere, or to record or display the process variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the salt-free, non-oxidizing remelting of aluminum, the alloys thereof and aluminum scrap metals comprising possible impurities, such as inflammable oily substances, adhering inflammable or non-flammable materials and those substances that have a higher specific weight, in a rotating drum that comprises a combustion chamber, two feed valves and a burner nozzle. Natural gas or fuel oil are provided in a manner known per se as the source of energy and the oxygen is fed to the combustion chamber together with air via a feed valve. An electronic control adjusts the amount of air in such a manner that the oxygen quantity supplied together with the air corresponds exactly to the stoichiometric proportion required for the combustion of the source of energy supplied through the burner nozzle.

Abstract: A device for continuously measuring the temperature in pelletizing furnaces basically comprised of a plurality of temperature detectors (1, 2) disposed at fixed sites on the grate car (10) that follow the latter along the furnace and inform continuously and instantaneously the actual burning temperature of the product at the detected site through data collectors and measuring units; said data collectors being enclosed in housings (20) which also are attached to the grate car (10) in order to follow the latter while it moves through the interior of the furnace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing hydrocarbons to a direct reduction shaft furnace while controlling the temperature uniformity of the center portion of the iron burden wherein the hydrocarbon gases used in direct reduction may be preheated, which increases the temperature of the hydrocarbon gases, and therefore increases the resultant temperature of the upflowing gases as it rises from the lower section of the furnace into the center of the burden. Alternatively, a portion of the upflowing gas may be removed before it enters the reduction zone of the furnace. The removed upflowing gas, known as hot bleed gas, may be ducted to the top gas scrubber of the furnace or may be mixed with the main reducing gas stream of the furnace for reintroduction to the furnace. Alternatively, hot reducing gas may be directly injected into the center portion of the burden, offsetting the cooling effect of the upflowing gas.

Abstract: This invention concerns a blowing lance and a procedure for the metallurgical treatment of molten steel in a converter with oxygen top blown over the molten steel. In order to monitor the treatment process the intention is for a temperature probe (21) to be integrated into the water-cooled lance head (2) behind the front end (11a) of the lance head and between the cooling chambers (5-10) formed in the lance head (2). The signal lines (26) of the temperature probe run through the lance body (1), more specifically, in a central protective pipe which has no fluid communication with the cooling medium or to the oxygen conducted by the lance.

Abstract: The recoiling temperature of a metal strip from a continuous heat treatment line is controlled by continuously passing the metal strip through an accumulator system where it passes around spaced accumulator rolls. While travelling through the accumulator, the metal strip is subjected to ambient cooling air and the length of aluminum strip travelling through the accumulator determines the amount of cooling that takes place. The length of the metal strip in the accumulator is in turn controlled by varying spacing between the accumulator rolls around which the metal strip travels. The spacing is preferably controlled by a programmed controller in response to temperature signals.

Abstract: The joint properties of a metal strip being rolled in a hot strip rolling mill, especially a steel strip, are adjusted in the cooling stretch of said mill by cooling. According to the invention, a time-related cooling course is predetermined for each strip point of the metal strip. An individual cooling curve is established as a function of time for each strip point, the established time curve is constantly compared with the model time-related cooling curve for each strip point and process control signals for controlling and/or regulating the cooling stretch are derived from this comparison. The corresponding device is provided with a calculating device and a process control device.

Abstract: Vacuum carburizing of ferrous workpieces is performed at low pressure in a vacuum furnace using a napthene hydrocarbon as the carburizing medium. The furnace is constructed to be generally transparent to the napthene so that cracking tends to occur at the workpiece which functions as a catalyst to minimize carbon deposits. The napthene is supplied in liquid form to fuel injectors which inject the liquid napthene as a vapor at duty cycles and firing orders to produce a uniform dispersion of the hydrocarbon gas about the work resulting in uniform carburizing of the workpieces. An in-situ methane infrared sensor controls the process. Hydrogen is added to the napthene to either assure full carbon potential and produce methane or to perform variable carburizing.

Abstract: A device for continuously measuring the temperature in pelletizing furnaces basically comprised of a plurality of temperature detectors (1, 2) disposed at fixed sites on the grate car (10) that follow the latter along the furnace and inform continuously and instantaneously the actual burning temperature of the product at the detected site through data collectors and measuring units; said data collectors being enclosed in housings (20) which also are attached to the grate car (10) in order to follow the latter while it moves through the interior of the furnace.

Abstract: In the apparatus for distilling molten baths, substantially comprising a two-part vacuum tank (2), a melting crucible (5) disposed in the bottom housing part (3) of the vacuum tank and surrounded by a heating coil (4), a hat-shaped metal vapor condenser (8) held in the top housing part (6) of the vacuum tank (2), and a draining channel (10) disposed between the melting crucible (5) and the metal vapor condenser (8), a filter element (16) penetrated by a metal vapor thermometer (19) plus probe (20) is provided above the metal vapor condenser (8) in an opening (15) of the top housing part (6), wherein both the filter pot (17) surrounding the filter element (16), as well as the space (22) behind the coil, as well as the top housing part (6) are connected by separate individual vacuum lines (18, 23, 25) to a vacuum source (7).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating artificial atmospheres in a furnace for the heat treating of materials. The furnace includes a substantially isolated chamber having a discharge receiving orifice for accepting a bi-phasic cryogen into a hot/work zone of the chamber. A low pressure cryogen source feeds a bi-phasic inert gas into the chamber in order to allow the volumetric expansion of the evaporating liquid constituent of the bi-phasic cryogen to purge a substantial portion of the ambient oxygen from the chamber and to allow a substantial residual concentration of the inert gas to blanket the process area without significant dissipation during the heat treating process. Oxidizable materials heat treated in artificial atmospheres generated by use of bi-phasic cryogens show no signs of scaling or staining through the process and thus do not need to undergo acid bathing prior to subsequent processing.

Abstract: An oxygen fueled combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner, an oxygen supply for supplying oxygen having a predetermined purity, and a carbon based fuel supply for supplying a carbon based fuel. The oxygen and the carbon based fuel are fed into the furnace in a stoichiometric proportion to one another to limit an excess of either the oxygen or the carbon based fuel to less than 5 percent over the stoichiometric proportion. The combustion of the carbon based fuel provides a flame temperature in excess of 4500° F. The exhaust gas stream from the furnace has substantially zero nitrogen-containing combustion produced gaseous compounds from the oxidizing agent and reduced green-house gases. Substantially less carbon based fuel is required than conventional combustion systems without a loss of energy output.

Abstract: A method for management of an anode furnace, from which an adjustable volume of flue gas is directed into a flue system, comprises the steps of measuring the actual flue gas temperatures in flues of each section as actual temperatures, taking related set temperatures from a set temperature schedule, calculating a time integral of deviation between actual and set temperatures, modifying the actual temperature during a baking process such that the time integral is reduced to zero at the end of the process, registering at least one of the oxygen content and the fuel load in each flue, and setting burner capacity according to the set temperature and to the available oxygen content in the flue.

Abstract: Temperature in the vicinity of a heated point on a work (1) surface on a moving locus of flame poured from a torch (3) is measured, the measured value is inputted into a controlling unit (8). It is converted into a physical quantity which appeals to the perception of a worker, such as light, sound, or vibration, and outputted to warning means (5, 9, and 10). The measured value is compared with a predetermined standard temperature range, and as the measured value approaches the upper limit or the lower limit of the standard temperature range, the physical quantity produced as warning signal is stepwise changed. This permits the worker to perceive the change in the measured value, and to easily change the position of the torch or the moving speed thereof so that the temperature at the heated point is maintained within the standard temperature range.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing fine metal balls comprising a crucible 3 for holding a metal melt and equipped with orifices 2 for ejecting the metal melt; a vibration rod 6 for giving vibration to the melt 1 held in the crucible 3; a vibrator 4 for giving vibration to the vibration rod 6; a means 5 for transmitting the vibration of the vibrator 4 to the vibration rod 6; and a chamber 7 in which melt droplets 9 ejected through the orifices 2 are solidified while dropping, the vibration-transmitting means 5 having one end in contact with the vibrator 4 and the other end abutting a support member 11 connected to the vibration rod 6; the vibration-transmitting means 5 having a cross section decreasing as it nears the support member 11.

Abstract: A device (100) for the thermal treatment of friction lining surfaces (19) (scorching) is characterized in that at least one infrared light source is placed in the heating station (10) for heating the friction lining surfaces. Short-wave infrared light of approximately 780 to 1400 nm with a maximum at 1200 nm is preferably used. A suction bell (11) and a fan (12) for removing the decomposition gas are above the heating station (10). The irradiation can take place in depression or in special chemical atmospheres. An infrared thermometer (20) supervises the temperature of the friction lining surfaces (19) and eventually causes an elimination (14) of parts. A cooling station (17) is following the heating station (10).

Abstract: In a method for cooling hot-rolled profiled sections from the rolling heat, wherein the profiled sections are formed of section parts of different mass, wherein, by using measuring-technological means in cooperation with a computer with the aid of a computing program, the quantity of heat to be proportionally removed from the different section parts in accordance with their mass and temperature and the amount of cooling medium required therefor are calculated and controlled, the course of temperature for the rolling stock in the rolling mill is simulated already before the actual rolling and cooling process by performing several simulation calculations by varying the cooling parameters in the simulation calculation to obtain calculated parameters. The actual values are measured upstream and downstream of the cooling stretch.

Abstract: An element portion of a thermistor element is composed of a mixed sintered body (MM′)O3·AOx of a composition of a complex perovskite oxide presented as (MM′)O3, and a metallic oxide presented as AOx. In said complex perovskite oxide (MM′)O3, M is at least one element selected from the elements of the groups 2A and 3A excluding La in the Periodic Table, and M′ is at least one element selected from the elements of the groups 3B, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A and 8 in the Periodic Table. Said metallic oxide AOx is a heat-resistant, metallic oxide having a melting point of 1300° C. and more, and a resistivity of AOx itself at 100° C. in the form of a thermistor element is 1000&OHgr; or more.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus includes rollers that slide and move an image recording sheet on the surface of a heating member while pressing at least a portion of the sheet against the surface of the heating member. The temperature of a dummy unit, provided at a position adjacent to the rollers, is measured by a temperature sensor. The measured temperature has a relationship with a change in the temperature of the rollers. Temperature control is performed based on the measured temperature in order to adjust the temperature of the rollers. A cushion disposed on a surface of the heating member is arranged to moderate the pressure which is exerted by the rollers on the sheet. A pulling mechanism provides a tension to the cushion, which is detachable from the heating member.

Abstract: An immersion measuring probe for measurement in liquids, in particular in molten metals, has a carrier tube, a measuring head mounted on one end of the carrier tube, and measuring elements as well as signal lines for the measuring signals generated by the measuring elements arranged on the measuring head. The signal lines are longer than the carrier tube and run from the end of the measuring head facing the inside of the carrier tube. In order to improve the handling of the immersion measuring probe, the signal lines are guided through the inside of the carrier tube and are wound up there around its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A process and arrangement for manufacturing brush-type seals having inclined bristles provides at least one ring-shaped brush-type seal having radially extending bristles of a length which, by way of the inclining of the bristles with respect to the radii of the ring-shaped brush-type seal leads at least essentially to the desired brush diameter; positions the at least one brush-type seal and at least one heatable annealing wall of an annealing device relative to one another so that the free bristle ends, while the bristles are bent, rest against the annealing wall, and simultaneously or subsequently rotating the at least one brush-type seal and at least the heatable annealing wall relative to one another until the bristles are inclined with respect to the radii of the ring-shaped brush-type seal in its ring plane by a definable angle; heats the annealing wall to a definable temperature; maintains the temperature of the heated annealing wall for a definable time period; and removes the at least one brush-type

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for increasing the productivity of a direct reduction process in which iron oxide is reduced to metallized iron by contact with hot reducing gas; comprising the steps of: a) providing a first hot reducing gas consisting essentially of CO and H2; b) providing additional reducing gas by reaction of a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon fuel with oxygen; c) mixing the first hot reducing gas with the additional reducing gas to form a reducing gas mixture; d) enriching the reducing gas mixture by the addition of a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon; e) injecting oxygen or oxygen-enriched air into the enriched mixture; and f) introducing the enriched mixture into an associated direct reduction furnace as reducing gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a fusion gasifier and a reduction shaft arranged thereabove and for reduction of iron ore in spongy iron. The spongy iron is introduced through horizontal discharge devices in the lower section of the reduction shaft, and a pipe connection is introduced into the head section of the fusion gasifier where it is melted using a oxygen-containing gas and gasifying means also conveyed into the head of the fusion gasifier, and is reduced to liquid crude iron. A reduction gas is produced at the same time which is conveyed out of the head of the fusion gasifier. The discharge devices lead into a dust-blocking container arranged in a lower section of the reduction shaft and to which the pipe connection leading to the fusion gasifier is attached.

Abstract: A process for heat treatment of a plastically moldable workpiece, by plastically molding the workpiece at a first temperature to form a shape, mechanically restraining the workpiece by means of form-fitting, bringing the workpiece to a second temperature and subjecting it at least partially to a heat treatment, and removing the workpiece, wherein mechanically restraining the workpiece by means of form-fitting is accomplished by embedding the workpiece in a densely packed pourable embedding material located in a container, wherein the embedding material is stressed. The invention also includes an apparatus for practicing the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for conducting gas through material (1) to be sintered, which material is set in an essentially continuous motion, particularly when gas is used for sintering the material; said apparatus comprises a flow guide (7) for conducting gas essentially near to the material (1) to be sintered, and a gas collecting member (10) for collecting the gas that has been made to penetrate the material to be sintered. According to the invention, in the gas flow guide (7) the gas inlet (8) is located centrally with respect to the material (1) to be sintered, and the gas outlet (9) extends essentially over the whole material to be sintered in the transversal direction, when observed in the proceeding direction of said material; and the gas collecting member (10) is composed of funnel elements (11), which are installed essentially at the gas flow apertures (5) provided in the member for conveying the material to be sintered.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for improved recovery of metal from dross, wherein a dross treating furnace is provided with a refractory wall or lining with good capacity to store and conduct heat. This furnace is preheated to a desired temperature by injection of oxygen to burn non-recoverable metal remaining in the residue after tapping of the recoverable metal contained in the dross. When dross is treated in such preheated furnace, the heat emanating by conduction from the furnace wall is sufficient to melt and separate the recoverable metal contained in the dross, without addition of an external heat source, such as fuel or gas burners, plasma torches or electric arcs.

Abstract: Described herein is an Improved Converter System designed to help reduce air, land and water pollution by completely converting materials that presently cause pollution into clean burning fuels and a host of other products beneficial to mankind. The primary conversion unit in the system is a zone controlled multipurpose slagging-ash oxygen jet blast converter. All incoming materials are passed through this process computer aided talented offspring of its two ancient prototypes the blast furnace and slagging-ash gas producers and the zone controlled blast furnaces described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,381,938, 4,495,054, 3,928,023 and 3,814,404. It employs two sets of tuyeres located in the bosh to input endothermic reacting gases, vapors and dusts through tuyere sets T1 and T2. A 100% oxygen jet blast is also input through tuyere set T2.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously annealing amorphous metal alloy cores with a closed magnetic path consists of a tunnel furnace having a bus bar connected sequentially to a DC power source. Switching is provided to simultaneously close and open electrical contacts provided on either end of the bus bar to ensure a continuous supply of power while loading or unloading jobs. The apparatus has a conveyer and loading and unloading mechanisms at the feeder end and discharge end of the furnace. The bus bar passes through the core window of the amorphous metal alloy core during the annealing process. The apparatus also consists of conventional trip mechanisms, heating and cooling mechanisms and mechanisms for gas flow through the furnace.

Abstract: A method of controlling a reheat furnace to deliver pieces at an aim discharge temperature comprises the steps of determining the ratio between calculated reheat furnace discharge temperatures and measured temperatures of pieces in a rolling mill receiving the output of the reheat furnace, filtering this ratio based upon time in the rolling mill to provide the current filtered relationship between calculated discharge temperatures and said measured temperatures to provide filtered ratios, comparing desired temperatures in the rolling mill with said measured temperatures of pieces in the rolling mill to establish error values, filtering the error values based upon time in the mill to provide filtered error values, and processing the filtered error values and the filtered ratios to establish a short-term bias to the aim extract temperature.

Abstract: A method by which ingots of thixotropic metal alloy are brought to the semisolid or semiliquid state comprises the steps of introducing the single solid ingots at ambient temperature into a heat chamber, generating air currents within the chamber so that the ingots are heated principally by convection, controlling the temperature of the ingots, and removing them from the chamber once a predetermined temperature has registered and been held steady in the metal alloy for a duration sufficient to induce the semisolid or semiliquid state; the ingots are supported and conveyed through a circular path internally of the heat chamber by a set of radial platforms revolving between an infeed zone and an outfeed zone.

Abstract: A method and tracking system for optimizing the tracking of a metal strip traveling over a plurality of crowned rolls in a continuous heating system designed to track a design strip having a design strip temperature profile. The invention attains an actual strip temperature profile in the metal strip that approximately coincides with the design strip temperature profile. This is accomplished by inputting metal strip variables and heating system variables into a control system and directing the control system to access a thermal model and a design strip temperature profile model. The control system then directs the operation of the heating system based on the metal strip variables, the heating system variables, the thermal model and the design strip temperature profile model such that the metal strip is heated to have an actual strip temperature profile that approximately coincides with the design strip temperature profile.

Abstract: An annular furnace capable of delivering precise temperature control. The furnace may also take the form of a toroid. The furnace may be employed in the heat treatment of many types of material including superconducting tape.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for recovering solder from dross. Dross is poured into a heated chamber (1). The heated dross is then compressed by a piston (21) to force good solder out of the dross into a collecting tray (17).

Abstract: Ultra high purity materials, particularly metallic materials such magnesium and similarly high volatility materials, are produced by a vacuum distillation method and apparatus to increase purity by approximately five hundred times in a single step. For example, magnesium purity, exclusive of zinc content, is increased from 99.95% to greater than 99.9999%. A distillation column is formed of a high purity (less than 10 ppm ash) graphite, and includes a crucible, a vertical condenser in which horizontal high purity graphite baffles are selectively located at a plurality of levels, for example at nine levels. The column is contained in a three-zone resistance furnace that is controlled to heat the crucible to evaporate the material, maintain the condenser immediately above the crucible to above the boiling point of the material, and maintain the portion of the column thereabove at below the boiling point of the material, preferably with the temperature gradually decreasing with the height of the column.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for recovering a non-ferrous metal, preferably aluminum and aluminum alloys, in molten coherent form from a charge of material to be processed containing the metal. The charge is introduced into a sealable furnace which is then sealed. The charge is agitated. A control parameter indicative of conditions inside said furnace is monitored and compared to a pre-determined first condition for the parameter. A heat source is operated to heat the charge until the control parameter reaches the first condition. The operation of the heat source is then stopped. A controlled amount of oxidizing agent and an inert carrier is then introduced into the furnace. The control parameter is monitored and compared to a predetermined second condition for the parameter. The flow of the oxidizing agent and the carrier is controlled to maintain the control parameter at about the second condition. The molten metal is subsequently removed from the furnace.

Abstract: A process for producing pig iron from iron ores involves the iron ores traveling from the top downwards through a reduction unit via a succession of oblique trays which are staggered in a cascade-like manner. A hot reduction gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen flows from the bottom of the reduction unit upwards. A reduction product is drawn off at the bottom end of the reduction unit and is fed to a unit for further treatment thereof. A reduction gas is generated in a gas generator by partial oxidation of carbon carriers or by cracking of natural gas or petroleum. Iron ores having at least a high proportion of dust-like and/or fine granular iron ores are sorted into fractions according to grain size and introduced into the reduction unit in such a way that the course fraction of the iron ore is introduced into the top section of the system and the fine fraction of the iron ore is introduced into the middle zone or into the middle and bottom zones of the system.

Abstract: Equipment for bringing ingots of thixotropic metal alloy to the semisolid or semiliquid state including a heat chamber for holding the solid ingots introduced at ambient temperature, and a source generating air currents within the chamber to heat the ingots principally by convection, and a unit for controlling the temperature of the ingots. The ingots are supported and conveyed through a circular path internally of the heat chamber by a set of radial platforms revolving between an infeed zone and an outfeed zone.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for performing thermomechanical processing of gears in which precise control of the thermal, metallurgical and mechanical action during the forming process is maintained. The apparatus comprises an induction heating system which reaustenitizes the surface of the gear with minimum decarburization, a material transfer system which provides timely operations on the work piece, tooling and fixture adjustments which provide accurate initial conditions for forming, and a process control architecture that provides the precise sequence and timing necessary to achieve metallurgically sound and dimensionally accurate gears. The induction heating cycle can be controlled from the peak, average or minimum gear surface temperature detected with a high response optical pyrometer. An inert environment is maintained around the workpiece during the induction heating and transfer to quenching above the M.sub.s temperature.

Abstract: A plurality of treatment station includes a plurality of heat treatment portions and staging portions. The staging portions utilize non-contact temperature sensors to measure an intensity of infrared radiation emitted from a part to be heat treated. A plurality of wavelengths of infrared energy emitted from a part are read with the wavelengths used as inputs to an empirical equation to calculate an apparent actual temperature of the part. The staging portions and the heat treatment portions are shielded to prevent infrared energy from the heat treatment portion from interfering with the accuracy of the staging portions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering free aluminum from a metal bearing dross containing free aluminum metal and oxides of the metal. Hot dross is collected from a hot dross source into a vessel, and the vessel is placed into a sealable storage container. The storage container is insulated to maintain heat generated by the hot dross within the interior of the storage container to maintain the dross at or near its temperature when first placed in the storage container. An inert gas is then introduced into the container to purge the container of all gasses other than the inert gas. The inert gas reduces thermiting of the hot dross and limits the cooling of the hot dross in order to maintain the hot dross at an elevated temperature while the hot dross remains in the storage container. The dross is then removed from the vessel and introduced dross into a dross processing device such as a furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for heat treating a product. The apparatus includes a plurality of lamp assemblies. Each of the assemblies has an infrared lamp disposed within a quartz conduit. The quartz conduit is formed of material which is generally transparent to infrared radiation. A cooling quartz is admitted into the lamp conduit. A frame is provided defining the heat treatment. The frame supports the lamp assemblies with the assemblies opposing the heat treatment area. Reflective refractory materials surrounds the lamps and the heat treatment area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for atomizing liquid metal are disclosed. A liquid metal supply is coupled to a nozzle for atomizing a stream of liquid metal in an atomizing zone extending from the nozzle. A viewing instrument provides a field of view extending to the atomization zone. A sensor coupled with the viewing instrument generates an image of the atomizing zone, and a control adjusts a flow rate of the stream responsive to the image.

Abstract: A method for heat treating a metal component uses a first heating system having a first high intensity heating portion to rapidly heat the component to a desired temperature and a second heating portion to maintain the component temperature for solution heat treatment. The heating system is an indexing-type system which includes a plurality of individual heating stations to effect solution heat treatment of the component. Following quenching, a second heating system having a first high intensity heating portion to rapidly heat the component to a desired temperature and a second heating portion to maintain the component temperature artificially ages the component.

Abstract: Described is in situ refining high purity elements in Groups IIA and VIB of the Periodic Table in a hermetically sealed apparatus by distilling, condensing and zone refining material within the apparatus.