Abstract: A smelting apparatus for smelting metallic ore comprising a furnace having a continuous curved wall and end walls defining a longitudinal volume having a longitudinal axis in a horizontal direction. The continuous curved wall has a lowermost area. The longitudinal volume is divided in at least three longitudinal layers comprising a top layer within which gasified fuel is combusted for creating a hot gas composition to release, from the metallic ore, at least molten metal and slag, a lowermost layer at the lowermost area for holding molten metal, and a mid-layer above the lowermost layer in which the slag accumulates. The present document also describes processes using the smelting apparatus for producing ferrous and non-ferrous minerals from a metallic ore.

Abstract: A fuel lance for a burner of a combustor has a fuel lance body defining a fuel flow passage and a liquid fuel tip attached thereto and in flow communication with fuel flow passage. The liquid fuel tip has a fuel outlet and an array of air passages having outlets which are arranged outside a blank sector of a circumference around the fuel outlet, the blank sector defined by an angle from 30° to 160°. A burner includes the fuel lance and the igniter and a main air flow passage to direct at least a part of a main air flow over the fuel lance and over the igniter, the blank sector has a centre-line angled between +120° and ?120° from a radial line from the axis and passing through the fuel lance. A method includes rotating the fuel lance between a start-up condition and a second condition.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a gas cupola for melting a charging material efficiently by a combustion flame of a combustion burner. The gas cupola includes a furnace body having a melting chamber 10 and a molten metal discharge port 11 for discharging the molten metal and a plurality of combustion burners 4 forming a combustion flame 41. The combustion burner 4 melts the charging material 2 in the melting chamber 10 by ejecting the combustion flame 41 to the charging material 2 in the melting chamber 10. Each combustion burner 4 generates a hollow shaped melting portion 42 at the charging material 2 of the melting chamber 10 by the combustion flame 41 ejected from each combustion burner 4. In the cross sectional view of the furnace body 1 taken along a horizontal direction, the combustion burners 4 are arranged so that the adjacently positioned two hollow shaped melting portions 42 overlap with each other.

Abstract: A device for use in a molten metal pump helps alleviate jams between rotating rotor blades and a stationary pump base. The device includes inlet perimeters that partially define one or more openings, and one or more rotor blades, wherein each rotor blade has a portion that directs molten metal into a pump chamber, and a portion that directs molten metal outwards. Each rotor blade may also include a recess that makes an opening larger to enable more molten metal to pass through the openings.

Abstract: A stack of copper plates is placed in a melting chamber having a closed roof of refractory material. The stack is placed in a tilted orientation leaning against a side wall of the melting chamber, with lower edges of the copper plates resting on an inclined hearth surface. A door to the melting chamber is closed to block the infiltration of oxygen. A burner is fired into the melting chamber to heat the closed roof of refractory material, and the stack of copper plates is melted under the influence of combustion products from the burner and heat radiated from the closed roof. Molten copper is drained downward from the bottom edge of the inclined hearth surface to avoid immersing the copper plates in a molten bath.

Abstract: Method of building a direct smelting plant comprising a metal smelting vessel (11) and ancillary plant components such as the components of a hot air supply station (24), an offgas treatment station (32), a solids feed station (41), a hot metal desulphurization station (47) and hot metal and slag launders extending from the smelting vessel (11). The ring track (53) of a ringer crane (51) is installed in front of location at which vessel (11) is to be installed. Crane boom (54) is laid out along elongate stretch of the building site which becomes a corridor (60) between major ancillary components when plant is fully erected. Boom (54) is connected to crane carriage (52) and hoisted to provide high lift capacity over a ground area embracing proposed site of vessel (11) and ancillary components. Prefabricated components are then lifted by crane (51) into appropriate position for final installation.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved furnace structure and methods of melting material in furnaces, particularly aimed at reducing the start up time for such furnaces. The furnace (2) defines a container for the molten metal having a maximum depth of molten metal in that container during use. A flow generator (30) for the molten metal within the furnace is fed through a first conduit (32) and supplies material back to the furnace through a second conduit (36). The first conduit entrance is provided in the upper 60% of the maximum depth of the molten metal in the container and/or the second conduit exit is provided in the lower 25% of the maximum depth of the molten metal in the container. The flow generator may receive material preferentially from around the periphery of the container and/or direct material towards the centre of the container. The inlet and outlet to the flow generator may be angled downwards towards the container.

Abstract: A melting apparatus facilitates the melting of pieces of solid metal in a bath of molten metal (10). The melting apparatus comprises a device (18) having a lower portion (22), an upper portion (20), and a body portion (24) extending therebetween. Solid metal is introduced into the device (18) through the upper portion (20). A flow inducer, such as an impeller (28) induces flow of molten metal through the device (18). Flow straighteners, such as baffles (38) encourage axial flow of molten metal through the device (18). The body portion (24) is formed with a plurality of apertures (36) therein and the device (18) is arranged, in use, with the lower portion (22) and the plurality of apertures (36) positioned within the bath (10) and the upper portion (20) positioned above the upper surface (12) and the molten metal bath (10).

Abstract: A scrap melter for light gage metal scrap includes a shrouded impeller connected to a shaft, the shaft connected to a rotary power device. The shrouded impeller is immersed in a molten metal pool in a charge bay or furnace. It is inclined at an angle relative to the vertical. The shrouded impeller creates a vortex in the molten metal pool, which includes a whirlpool at the surface of the molten metal. The center of the whirlpool is horizontally displaced from the shaft so that scrap can be charged into the whirlpool to be ingested into the vortex. The shrouded impeller creates a vortex for scrap ingestion and pumps molten metal for re-circulation through the melting system without the need of a separate pump.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a temperature and molten metal height in a gas-fired metal melting furnace whereby metal height and temperature may be more reliably maintained. The control system includes a controller that receives information on metal temperature and metal height. The controller controls metal melting burners so as to operate at different settings between a high output and a low output based upon sensed metal height.

Abstract: Thus, as shown by an exact electrodynamic computation of EMBF and the estimations described above of the velocity of turbulent flows arising due to their effect, application of amplitude- and frequency-modulated helically traveling (rotating and axially traveling) electromagnetic fields in metallurgical and chemical technologies and foundry can considerably increase the hydraulic efficiency of MHD facilities, intensify the processes of heat and mass transfer in technological plants, significantly increase their productivity, considerably decrease energy consumption for the production of metals, alloys, cast articles, and chemical products, and improve their quality.

Abstract: A metallurgical furnace has a cover (20) for a vessel (10) and a charging device (30) for charging material that will be melted in the vessel. The charging device has a rotatable retaining means (31) and a projection (40) is provided at a charging opening (42). The furnace has a maximum filling level (H2) and the rotatable retaining means is pivoted into the projection for the charging operation. The pivotable range of the retaining means does not extend below the maximum filling level (H2). At least two self-supporting material baskets (32) can be positioned in a removable manner above the projection (40), and each comprises an inner chamber that can be closed on the lower side thereof by the retaining means (31) and a volume (C) for receiving the charging materials. A change device (33) interchanges and positions the material baskets (32).

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: There is provided a novel construction of a metal melting furnace that can preheat and melt the entire material more efficiently and that can facilitate operations for removing oxides deposited on the surface around the melting burner and the inside thereof and thus reduce the time for cleaning the inside of the furnace. The metal melting furnace 10 includes a melting chamber 20 that has a material charging port 21 and a flue 22 at the top and a hearth section 25 along which melted material flows down to a molten material holding section 60 at the bottom, wherein a combustion chamber 30 equipped with a melting burner 35 is formed below the hearth section 25, a heating plate 40 comprised of a heat-resistant plate having high heat conductivity is disposed in the hearth section 25 above the combustion chamber 30, and an exhaust gas outflow passage 50 from the combustion chamber 30 is formed in a side wall of the melting chamber 20.

Abstract: In a metal melting furnace, a separation wall 60 is provided between an inclined hearth 30 and a molten metal reservoir 35 to define a molten metal processing portion 65. The separation wall is provided with a connecting passage 61 for the molten metal, between the molten metal reservoir and the molten metal processing portion, at a height level higher than a bottom surface 67 of the molten metal processing portion. The separation wall is also provided on its upper portion with an exhaust gas passage which permits exhaust gas discharged from the molten metal reservoir to pass therethrough. An inspection opening 31 with a door 32 is provided in a furnace wall surface 37W to open into the molten metal processing portion.

Abstract: A metal melting closed furnace which includes a main chamber, a circulation well connected to the main chamber by a communications passageway and a vortex well having a exit outlet for molten metal into the main chamber. A cover is emplaced over the vortex well. An inert gas bubble activated molten metal pump is provided in which there is an entry port in the circulation well and exit port into the vortex well. The exit port is positioned to lie at least partially or entirely above the maximum level of molten metal in the vortex well. This exit port will typically be at or near the top of the vortex well. In order to reduce oxidation, inert gas bubbles are captured from this molten metal pump and creating an inert gas atmosphere or blanket above the molten metal vortex.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the art of ferrous metallurgy, and more particularly, to a multichambered steelmaking apparatus and to a method of steelmaking. A multichambered steelmaking apparatus contains smelting chambers communicating with each other through their upper portions. Process input ports are provided in the chamber side wall, and the smelting chambers are provided with gas-oxygen burners installed on the walls of the smelting chambers facing each other. A method of steel making employs the apparatus in a unique manner. During operation, the smelting chambers are tilted in the direction of the input port and during the discharge of steel they are tilted in the direction of the outlet. During the melting stage carbon monoxide (CO) is afterburned by gas-oxygen burners forming carbon dioxide (CO) in the exit gasses supplied to the gas exhaust system through the coaxial chamber. A portion of a slag from the previous heat is retained.

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 Preheater-Steelmaking Furnace and closed loop Process System for semi-continuous melting of integrally preheated recycled or virgin ferrous charge, by using highly energy efficient combustion process of natural gas combusted by oxygen as the main heat source, after preheating of the cold charge, by fully exploiting thermal energies of the melting process off-gases, in a gas tight, low noise, ecologically friendly PSF with scant CO and drastically reduced CO2 in exhaust gases for semi-continuous, batch self-charging, sealed pairs of eccentrically rotating quasi cylindrical, permeable half drums hoppers creating separate preheating chambers.

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 Preheater-Steelmaking Furnace and closed loop Process System for semi-continuous melting of integrally preheated recycled or virgin ferrous charge, by using highly energy efficient combustion process of natural gas combusted by oxygen as the main heat source, after preheating of the cold charge, by fully exploiting thermal energies of the melting process off-gases, in a gas tight, low noise, ecologically friendly PSF with scant CO and drastically reduced CO2 in exhaust gases for semi-continuous, batch self-charging, sealed pairs of eccentrically rotating quasi cylindrical, permeable half drums hoppers creating separate preheating chambers.

Abstract: A steel manufacturing facility and method are disclosed which utilize ground mobile equipment, as opposed to overhead cranes. At least one material container is loaded with a steel making product and picked up with a transport vehicle that is movable throughout the facility and adapted for various uses within the facility. The material container is placed within an interior chamber of a furnace coupling shell assembly utilizing the vehicle such that the material container is supported by a support mechanism of the apparatus. The shell assembly and the material container are moved together to the furnace utilizing the vehicle. A bottom opening of the shell assembly is positioned over the top opening of the furnace utilizing the vehicle. The furnace is then charged with the steel making product through the top opening. The material container and shell assembly are then removed together from above the furnace using the vehicle and then the furnace can be operated.

Abstract: A method capable of suppressing damages to furnace wall refractories in a melting furnace and making the working life of them longer and a technique capable of obtaining a molten iron with homogenized composition while keeping a high productivity upon arc heating a pre-reducing iron in a melting furnace to obtain a molten iron, the method comprising supplying a pre-reducing iron to a stationary non-tilting type melting furnace and melting the iron by an arc heating mainly composed of radiation heating, the melting being performed while keeping a refractory wearing index RF represented by the following equation at 400 MWV/m2 or less.

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: This apparatus is a furnace for heating molten material which employs oxygen-fuel burner assemblies. Preferably, the assemblies are submerged in the molten material. They are water cooled top down units with burner nozzles being off-set from the supply column. The apparatus utilizes one or more burners for each top down supply column. The supply column and attached burners can be rotated or moved in a manner to avoid the open chimney effect seen with fixed air-fuel burners of the prior art. These burners with an off-set nozzle like the letter L are rotated at high speed or oscillated to distribute the combustion in the form of gas bubbles or a gas curtain. In another embodiment, the oxy-fuel burners are not submerged. The nozzles are aimed at unmelted batch or the upper surface of the molten material for controlled splashing.

Abstract: Gasification of waste is performed in a gasifier having a gasification space (1) and a liquid rotating slag bath (2). The slag bath (2) is preferably caused to rotate by tangentially injecting gasification medium and/or at least a portion of the waste via a burner toward the surface of the slag bath. Waste with a diameter of to 5 mm is preferably introduced into gasifier (1) above the slag bath (2), while larger waste is preferably introduced directly into the slag bath. Slag is a removed, together with cracked gas accumulated during gasification through the floor of the gasifier via a slag drain having a lateral opening which protrudes above the slag bath.

Abstract: This invention concerns a smelting installation with an electric-arc furnace in which the roof of the oven vessel is constructed out of two units (7, 8) which are separated by an aperture (38) and can be moved independently of one another relative to the vessel horizontally. One of these units (8) consists of a shaft (9) which serves as preheater for the charge. The upper part of the vessel and the shaft (9) have a converging wall sector (42a, 58, 59).

Abstract: The invention concerns a resistance-heated vaporizer boat for vaporizing metal. According to the invention, a reduced temperature is generated in the edge region, i.e., along the longitudinal edge of the vaporizer boat, such that there is only a very slight wetting tendency along this longitudinal edge. Consequently, the melt can be localized such that it cannot overflow over the longitudinal edges of the vaporizer boat, without a cavity necessarily having to be provided in the vaporization surface of the vaporizer boat. As a result, optimum wetting and constantly targeted vaporization of the metal upwards towards the area to be vapor-deposited are attained.

Abstract: A cupola emission control system is provided that includes both improved physical emission control equipment and improved controls for operating such equipment. The physical emission control improvements include an orifice ring of restricted diameter above the cupola main afterburners to improve the turbulence of the air in the upper cupola area to allow improved combustion of carbon monoxide. Further, twin venturis are provided with improved air passage control equipment to affect the temperature in the upper cupola combustion area. Further, an improved control system is provided whereby actual time calculations are made for remaining emission permitted amounts of certain pollutants, mainly carbon monoxide, and real time adjustments are made for cupola operation to assure compliance with such permitted emission limits.

Abstract: A method of melting metal scrap in a molten melting media, the method comprising (a) providing a source of molten melting media in a furnace, the melting media in the furnace having a first surface level; (b) providing a first melting bay in fluid communication with the furnace to receive molten melting media from the furnace to provide a body of molten melting media in the first melting bay for purposes of melting floatable metal scrap, the first melting bay having: (i) a bottom; and (ii) an outer wall connected to the bottom defining the first melting bay, the outer wall having a generally spiral shaped cross section terminating in a mouth of a channel for removing melting media and molten scrap to an adjacent bay, the spiral shaped cross section receding away from a generally central axis of the first melting bay.

Abstract: An inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump, for the movement of molten metal in a molten-metal bath, which obviates the necessity of a heatproof and flameproof cover to counteract splashing and spattering at the surface of the molten metal bath above the pump, comprising an inert gas diffusion means at an upper end thereof, the diffusion means having an upper surface containing a multiplicity of small upwardly-opening apertures for the breaking up of large bubbles and the diffusion of small bubbles of inert gas upwardly therethrough. The pump includes a refractory block which comprises a conveying conduit which is preferably elongated in width and a spreader cavity in communication with both a passageway in the block for providing a source of inert gas and a lower end of the conveying conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a shaft-type cupola furnace and located between an upper stack and a lower furnace having a preselected inside diameter. An inverted conical trough is provided for receiving charge materials delivered to the furnace. The conical trough having an axis of rotation with an apex of the trough extending downwardly immediately above the furnace. The trough having an opening at its apex through which the charge materials may flow. The opening sized to have a diameter substantially the same as the inside diameter of the furnace. The trough positioned above the furnace with the opening positioned adjacent to and opening into the furnace. The apparatus further including means for rotating the conical trough about its axis of rotation. A circular charge door wall is provided with a bottom edge sized to abut against the inner surface of the conical trough above the opening.

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: The present apparatus is comprised by two magnetic induction sets, one for melting of the raw material and the second for purification of molten metal; each set comprises a pot or crucible (1, 1'), an electromagnetic device, a filter (11) and a power supply; each crucible (1, 1') is surrounded in the lower part by a hollow permanent magnet (3, 3') in which three pairs of electromagnets facing each other are arranged; the process consists of the following stages: a) charging of metallic raw material inside a crucible (1); b) electromagnetic induction heating to melt the metallic raw material (2) inside crucible (1) through a three-phase magnetic system creating a horizontal travelling or pules magnetic field which builds a turbulent flux inside the melt (2'); c) whirling stirring of melt (2') by electromagnetic induction and purification of it via extraction of hydrogen and of non-electroconductive inclusions by coagulation of them in agglomerates; d) discharging of purified melt (2') by a magneto-hydrodynamic

Abstract: The charge well of a metal melting furnace is provided with an internal cavity having a circular cross section when viewed from the top, preferably a cavity of cylindrical or conical configuration, and with a peripheral exit port located tangentially with respect to said cavity at a lower level thereof for exit of molten metal into the main chamber of the furnace. An inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump brings molten metal from a hotter section of the furnace, advantageously directly from the main chamber, and has its exit port located tangentially to the periphery of the cavity at an upper level thereof, thereby creating vortical flow of molten metal within the charge well for the more rapid and efficient melting of metal chips and scraps into the molten metal therein and for circulation of hotter molten metal throughout the furnace.

Abstract: A melt tank is disclosed having a plurality of cartridges wherein each cartridge is adapted to hold at least one molded part. An annular tank is provided having an open top while a substantially circular plate is coaxially rotatably mounted to the top of the annular tank. The circular plate includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings formed around its outer periphery wherein each opening is adapted to slidably receive and support one cartridge. The annular tank is filled with a heated liquid while a motor rotatably drives the plate with the molded parts immersed in the heated liquid. A robotic gantry selectively lifts the cartridges from the circular plate to enable the removal of finished melted out parts as well as the insertion of new molded over parts into the cartridges.

Abstract: A facility to process metal wastes is provided. The facility includes an inclined heat-insulated casing with a door and a cover, which can be displaced and removed. The inner surface of the casing is provided with removable sheets which form the inner facing (reflectors) of the casing and which are made of metal bead-formed sheets. Inside the casing, on a cantilever-supported shaft, is installed a melting drum, which can be mounted or removed from the shaft both charged and empty. The drum can be charged through the open cover when the casing door is open, while inside the casing it is kept installed on the shaft. A cross-shaped member for stiffening the drum is used also for mixing. The drum is heated via a burner and the heating is controlled with a temperature sensor and by means of an automatic control unit.

Abstract: The magnesium melting furnace (1) has a plurality of chambers. The material to be melted is fed into a melting chamber (2) through a charging chute (20), one end of which terminates under the surface of the melting bath. The melt is slowly transferred into a holding chamber (4) through a passage (3) situated in the lower third of a dividing wall (11) above a layer of impurities settling at the bottom (14) of the melting chamber (2). The melt slowly flows through the holding chamber (4), with impurities rising to the surface or settling on the bottom (15). The purified melt flows through a second passage (5) situated in the lower third of a second dividing wall (12) into a metering chamber (6). The melt can be removed from the metering chamber (6) through a transfer pipe (28) using a metering pump (27). The magnesium melting furnace (1) makes it possible to simultaneously melt, purify and remove the magnesium in metered quantities.

Abstract: An improved hearth section for a shaft furnace may comprise a plurality of splines mounted to the side wall of the hearth section in spaced-apart circumferential positions so that each of the splines extends radially inward from the side-wall and into the interior of the hearth section. The floor of the hearth section may include a plurality of stand-offs positioned in generally spaced-apart relation and that extend upward from the floor and into the interior of the hearth section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a melting furnace of metals and melting method thereof, which can control the rate at which a metallic raw material is introduced from a preheating section to a melting section within an optimum range and which can achieve efficient melting of the metallic raw material using oxygen burners only. The metal melting furnace has a melting section (22) provided with oxygen burners (21) and a preheating section (23) for preheating the metallic raw material located above the melting section, with a reduced section (24), having an inner diameter smaller than those of the melting section (22) and of the preheating section (23), being located between the melting section (22) and the preheating section (23).

Abstract: An aluminum remelting furnace for recycling scrap. In order to prevent atmospheric dispersion of toxic substances from the combustion of aluminum scrap contaminants, the furnace includes a loading chamber positioned on the upper wall of the furnace which is provided with a lower door and an upper door. During loading, the lower door is opened while the upper door remains closed to prevent the escape of the contaminant substances which remained enclosed within the loading chamber. After closing the lower door, the contaminant substances are fed to a post-combustion chamber and then to a gas treatment and purification system.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is a melter housing having a pretreat chamber heated with a feed material heater that is partially isolated from a melter chamber. The method of the present invention has the steps of introducing feed material into a pretreat chamber and heating the feed material to a softening temperature of the feed material, and passing the pretreated feed material to a melter chamber.

Abstract: A method of charging an iron scrap melting cupola with iron scrap and coke enables the iron scrap to be melted with high energy efficiency. The charging pipe feed is set at a level "h" which meets the condition of h .ltoreq. (r-r') tan .theta., and iron scrap of a quantity Ws meeting the condition of Ws .ltoreq. 1/3.multidot..pi.r.sup.3 .multidot.tan .theta..multidot..rho..sub.s is charged through the charging pipe, followed by charging of coke, wherein h represents the height of the charging feed above the material in the cupola (meters), r represents the inside radius of the cupola (meters), r' represents the inside radius of the charging pipe (meters), .theta. represents the angle of repose of the iron scrap (degrees), Ws represents the quantity of iron scrap per cycle (kg/ch), and .rho..sub.s represents the bulk specific gravity of the iron scrap (kg/m.sup.3).

Abstract: A vertical shaft furnace for melting non-ferrous metals, such as copper, aluminum, and their alloys, includes metal blocks disposed in an annular wall just beneath the charging section of the furnace. Preheated air is forced into the furnace shaft through openings in the wall of metal blocks to burn or oxidize substantially all the CO gas contained in the combustion gases rising from the melting chamber of the furnace. A pressurized plenum surrounding the shaft adjacent the charge opening is used to preheat ambient air which is then supplied under pressure to another plenum above the melting chamber where the preheated air is introduced into the shaft.

Abstract: A plant for the production of molten metals, includes a melting vessel and a metallurgical vessel receiving the melt from the melting vessel for aftertreating the melt and closed by a lid. The melting vessel has a tap opening for the melt provided on the bottom level of the melting vessel and located on the periphery of the melting vessel. The tap opening is positioned above a pour-in opening of the metallurgical vessel. In order to ensure a continuous melting procedure, the pour-in opening of the metallurgical vessel following the melting vessel is provided above a melt guiding chute arranged within the metallurgical vessel.

Abstract: The improved method of melting a metal, especially cast iron, in a cokeless cupola furnace includes the step of injecting at least one case product quality improving and stabilizing substance into a space between the grate and the burners. The quality improving and stabilizing substance can be refining substance and a nuclear-enriching substance of the type used in code-fired cupola furnaces including nitrogen-containing substances such as ammonia and hydrazine and halogen-containing substances. A suitable apparatus for performing the improved process is also described having a downwardly direct lance for injection of the quality improving and stabilizing substance with an upwardly-directed mouth portion for forming an upwardly directed jet inserted through a furnace wall in a throughgoing guideway.

Abstract: A furnace system particularly adapted for use with a continuous upcaster. Instead of employing discrete furnaces, tundishes, ladles and the like, the instant unitary system employs a furnace, a feeding mechanism for directly introducing material into the furnace and a plasma torch to melt the material. The rate of material entering the furnace is balanced by the quantity of product emerging from the upcaster.

Abstract: A support plate, together with the shell of an aluminum holding and/or refining vessel, in combination with a refractory sheet positioned on the inner wall of a graphite block in which a heating element assembly is positioned, is used to hold and seal the heating assembly against exposure to air, without the need for enclosing the heating elements in a metal heating element container.

Abstract: A high temperature gas fired heat transfer system ideally suited for melting metals is disclosed. The system generates a heated, reducing furnace atmosphere which prevents formation of metal oxides when the metal is melted. A unique arrangement is provided to draw a portion of the reducing atmosphere from the furnace and combust the drawn furnace atmosphere with high speeds jets of preheated combustion air which convectively impinge and heat the surface of an object to a super heat temperature. That surface is then moved into the furnace enclosure to indirectly heat by radiation and melt the metal at high throughput rates.

Abstract: A process and arrangement are provided for the efficient generation of energy from coal, while at the same time providing for a relatively inexpensive step in processing of iron or steel, and the extraction of valuable materials such as oils from coal. An advantage to the process is that relatively low quality coals can be utilized, since the coal is pretreated before any burning operation. Generally, the process involves three interacting stages. In the First Stage, a coal liquefaction/pyrolysis procedure is utilized to drive off volatiles, and form a very low volatile char. The volatiles can be collected and utilized as a valuable oil product, such as for diesel fuel or the like. The char material is preferably pelletized and utilized as a reductant, in a Second Stage of iron reduction and melting.