Abstract: A vortex injection system for a metal recycling furnace a delacquering chamber and a melt chamber, and a molten metal flow channel running through each chamber. The system diverts a portion of the molten metal flow through a vortex bowl, after which that portion of the molten metal flow is then returned to the main molten metal flow. The vortex bowl has an insertion port through which scrap metal and other materials may be controllably injected into the molten metal flow.

Abstract: A metallurgical melting vessel has a vertical shaft, surrounded by a housing wall, which receives steel scrap. At least one closure element, having laterally spaced-apart fingers extending parallel to one another, is mounted such that it can move between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the fingers protrude at least partially into the shaft for the purpose of holding back steel scrap. In the open position, the fingers free the shaft at least to such an extent that the steel scrap can fall from the shaft into the melting vessel. The at least one closure element is mounted so as to be movable from the side of the shaft into the shaft and laterally thereoutof.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing material such as organically coated waste and organic materials including biomass, industrial waste, municipal solid waste and sludge, is provided. The apparatus comprises a rotatable and tiltable furnace (1) having a body portion (15), a single material entry point (11) and a tapered portion (13) between the entry point and the body. The furnace has a closure through which material can be introduced to the furnace (1) when open and in which the interior of the furnace is isolated from the external environment when closed. A director at or adjacent the entry point (11) directs gases inwardly of the furnace so as to provide a barrier of gas adjacent the opening to inhibit the entrance of oxygen containing atmospheric gas when the closure is in its open position.

Abstract: A metal melting apparatus has a heating furnace, a melting furnace mounted on the heating furnace, a high-cycle regenerative system (HRS), a raw material feeding device and a melted material feeding device mounted on the melting furnace. The HRS heats and recycles high temperature air in the heating furnace and guides the high temperature air to the preheating screw to preheat metal materials in the preheating screw. Thus, a time for melting the metal materials from solid to liquid is greatly shortened. Furthermore, a series of processes for preheating the metal materials in the raw material feeding device, melting the metal materials in the melting furnace and injecting the molten materials to the molds is fluent, time-saving and safe, and can progress continuously.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a movable sweat hearth for use with a metal melting furnace having a wall provided with a metal-loading entrance. The sweat hearth includes a hearth body movable relative to the furnace into and out of contact with the wall of the furnace at the entrance. The body has exterior walls enclosing a hollow interior except at a furnace-engagable side wall of the hearth body provided with an opening communicating with the interior. The interior has a floor adapted to support a charge of scrap metal, and the opening is positioned relative to the floor to allow molten metal to drain from the interior through the opening. The floor is arranged at an angle to horizontal to slope in a downward direction towards the opening when the container is moved into sealing engagement with the wall of the furnace with the opening aligned with the furnace entrance.

Abstract: A heating device for preheating a container (3), such as a transfer ladle, transferring liquid metal in melting operations, which is lined with refractory material, wherein the container is heated in a heating stand (1) having a container closure lid (2), is characterized by the use of porous burners (7) for heating the container (3) and keeping it warm.

Abstract: A thermal system for separating out co-mingled metals in almost pure form, the system including a tunnel kiln having temperature zones through which the co-mingled metals are conveyed and progressively heated until at least one metal of the co-mingled metals melts thereby separating the melted metal from the other metal or metals of the co-mingled metals. The system includes molten metal catch basins for collecting the melted metal which are arranged beneath a conveyor on which the co-mingled metals are transported within the kiln. The catch basins are tapped to the outside of the kiln so that as the various metals melt out at progressively higher temperatures, they can be collected into cast iron chills or other collection devices to form pure ingots.

Abstract: An installation for production of the secondary steel based on scrap in which the scrap (10) is fed in a scrap preheater (2) through a charging device (1), is preheated there and, finally, is brought into a smelting unit (3) and is melted there with primary energy only, the process gases (19), which leave the smelting unit (3), are not used for directly preheating the scrap (10) but are rather used indirectly by heating a gaseous preheatable medium, e.g., air (18) or inert gas, whereby energetic, fluidic, and spatial decoupling of preheating and melting and of post-combustion and preheating is achieved.

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: A crucible-type continuous melting furnace includes a preheating tower for storing the material to be melted, and an exhaust port on the top thereof; a melting crucible furnace disposed below the preheating tower and having a melting crucible to which the material to be melted is supplied from the preheating tower; a heating burner for heating the melting crucible; and a preheating burner for preheating the material to be melted and disposed in a position that is higher than the heating burner; the melting crucible furnace having an introduction portion for introducing a combustion gas from the heating burner into the preheating tower; and the melting crucible having a molten metal outlet on the side wall for discharging the molten metal obtained by melting the material.

Abstract: Apparatus for the combustion of gas exiting from an electric arc furnace where the heat of combustion is used for the preheating of scraps entering the furnace wherein the apparatus has an insertion device for introducing comburent substance into a preheating chamber or loading tunnel for scrap metal where the loding tunnel has an inlet section for scrap metal, a seal section to prevent an uncontrolled entrance of air in the tunnel, a heating section and an unloading section for delivering scrap metal to the furnace. The insertion device for the comburent substance has one or more adjustable openings placed in the loading tunnel, and said apparatus comprises a device or a series of devices.

Abstract: At the production of the secondary steel based on scrap, wherein the scrap (10) is fed in a scrap preheater (2) through a charging device (1), is preheated there and, finally, is brought into a smelting unit (3) and is melted there with primary energy only, the process gases (19), which leave the smelting unit (3), are not used any more for directly preheating the scrap (10) but are rather used indirectly by heating a gaseous preheatable medium, e.g., air (18) or inert gas, whereby energetic, fluidic, and spatial decoupling of preheating and melting and of post-combustion and preheating is achieved.

Abstract: A material scrap submergence device comprises a body (10) of heat resistant and/or a refractory material that includes a side wall (12) and a base (14) that define a submergence chamber (10). The refractory body (10) can include passages (24) that receive rods (22). The rods (22) can place the refractory body (10) under compression. In another embodiment, the body is confined by a frame (72) attached to the body. The submergence chamber (10) can also be used as a gas injection chamber.

Abstract: Method and plant for pre-heating, transforming and melting a metal charge comprising metal scrap, in an electric arc furnace associated with a tunnel to transport, pre-heat and discharge the scrap. The furnace comprises a hearth and a roof through which the electrodes pass. The method provides that the furnace is weighed at least periodically in order to detect the quantity of discharged scrap present inside the furnace itself, that the temperature of the liquid bath inside the furnace is detected at least periodically and that at least the discharge delivery of the scrap inside the furnace is detected by weighing and is regulated in order to maintain the temperature of the liquid bath around a pre-determined value.

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: The present invention is directed to a method for melting scrap of an aluminum alloy containing lithium. The steps include providing scrap containing aluminum-lithium-type alloys, preparing an initial liquid metal bed of a first composition in a smelting oven, loading the scrap onto the initial liquid metal bed so as to create a floating layer of the scrap with a controlled thickness at the surface of the liquid metal bed, partially melting the floating layer via contact with the metal bed so as to obtain a liquid metal bath having a second composition, and removing the liquid metal from the second composition of the liquid metal bath. The method has technical and economic advantages. It does not require investment in a particular installation and it requires minimal use of expensive expendable materials such as inert gas, because the formation of a floating layer having a controlled thickness makes it possible to effectively protect the surface of the liquid metal from oxidation.

Abstract: To facilitate a trouble-free charging of scrap metal having differing constitutions, such as light and heavy scrap metal, from a lower discharge opening of a shaft-shaped charging device or a charging stock preheater (1) into a melting vessel by a pusher (13), the lateral surfaces of the pusher (13) are formed so as to converge from the upper side to the lower side and the actuating device (2) of the pusher (13) is pivotably supported in a frame structure (3) about a horizontal axis. In addition, the upper boundary of the discharge opening for the charging stock from the shaft (2) is preferably formed by a horizontal, rotatably supported roller (26), more preferably with engaging elements (30) distributed around the circumferential surface. Sections of the charging device that are severely mechanically stressed are preferably formed by steel billet sections connected to form a structural unit.

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: A metallurgical vessel for a melting device for liquid metals has a vessel top, a vessel bottom provided with a collar, and an intermediate ring arranged between the vessel top and the vessel bottom. The vessel bottom receives a melt defining a melting zone within the vessel bottom and, above the melting zone, a slag zone for slag is provided. The intermediate ring is arranged at a level of the slag zone. The vessel top completely bridges the intermediate ring and is supported below the intermediate ring on the collar of the vessel bottom so that the intermediate ring is statically completely relieved of any load.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process plant for the production of molten steel from primary and/or secondary ferrous materials in which no free oxygen is permitted to contact directly carbon-containing iron melts, comprising:—i) at least three pairs of furnaces (1,2; 3,4;5,6), each furnace of a pair having a hearth base (36) and being interconnected so as to form a continuous flowpath loop for molten metal, the first pair (1,2) defining an iron making loop (A) and the second and third pair (3,4;5,6) defining primary and secondary steel refining loops (B,C) respectively, (ii) means (8) for transferring molten metal from the ironmaking loop (A) to the first refining loop (B) and from the first refining loop (B) to the second refining loop (C), (iii) means for controllably supplying heat to, and removing heat from metal in the furnaces (1,2,3,4,5,6), whereby, in use a central region of metal (19a) in the furnace (1,2,3,4,5,6) becomes or is maintained in its molten state and a peripheral region of the metal (2

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: 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 ladle after teeming for a continuous casting and a subsequent slag discharge is mounted on a ladle truck and then moved by the ladle truck to a tapping station. The ladle on the ladle truck is then stationed over a predetermined stand-by time and is then immediately moved to a tapping position to receive a molten steel from a converter. The ladle is quickly heated during the stand-by time, by a regenerative-type burner system carried by a ladle lid which is attached to the ladle to cover the top opening of the ladle. This allows the tapping temperature of the molten steel to be set to a low level, offering advantages such as a remarkable reduction in the consumption of carbonaceous materials as the temperature controller, as well as extended life of ladle refractories through suppression of thermal attack. At the same time, consumption of fuel gas for heating the ladle by the burner system is reduced to contribute to saving of energy.

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 two-chamber furnace for smelting scrap aluminum which is contaminated, has a distillation chamber above the first furnace chamber functioning as a charging stack and separated from the first chamber by a slider or flap arrangement. Flue gas from the first chamber is forced through the distillation chamber to destructively distill off the contaminants. The hood of the distillation chamber is equipped with a pressing body to compact the charge.

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: A vertical shaft furnace for melting scrap metal, particularly copper scrap, uses one or more burners operated superstoichiometrically in order to provide excess oxygen to react with a waste gas stream passing up through the copper scrap thereby reducing the amount of carbon dioxide and visual contaminants in the waste gas stream.

Abstract: A metal scrap submergence device comprising an open top chamber including walls of a heat resistant material, an inlet positioned in a side wall of the chamber, an outlet positioned in the base of said chamber, and a ramp adjacent said side wall of the chamber.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for preheating, melting, refining and casting of steel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reclaiming metal chips formed while machining metal castings to their finished shape. The apparatus includes a stationary charging tube extending in a generally perpendicular direction from the charge well of a reverbratory furnace. The lower end of the charging tube is attached to a box-shaped structure which has an open bottom. The sides of the structure extend into a pool of molten metal contained in the charge well. A variable rate feeder provides a continuous supply of metal chips to the charging tube at a rate which is essentially the same as the rate at which the chips are being produced. The chips form a column within the charging tube which extends through the box-shaped structure and into the pool of molten metal. As the chips at the bottom of the column are melted, additional chips are added to the top, forcing the bottom of the column of chips into the pool of molten metal.

Abstract: Melting apparatus for melting a metal, such as aluminium, comprising a melting chamber, a burner chamber and a passage which extends between the melting chamber and the burner chamber and which has an inlet opening on the melting-chamber side and an outlet opening on the burner chamber side for allowing molten metal to pass from the melting chamber to the burner chamber, circulation means being suitable for transferring molten metal from a first or suction connection to the burner chamber to a second or pressure connection to the melting chamber. According to the invention, the residual bath when changing the metal composition ins minimized and productivity maximized.

Abstract: In order to preheat pieces of iron scrap of various sizes and shapes highly effectively while avoiding the fusion of the pieces of iron scrap, a rotary kiln type preheating furnace and a shaft type preheating furnace are arranged in parallel with each other in the front stage of a melting furnace in which iron scrap is melted, and preheated iron scrap is charged from both preheating furnaces into the melting furnace. A damper is provided between the shaft type preheating furnace and the melting furnace, so that exhaust gas discharged from the melting furnace is prevented from directly flowing into the shaft type preheating furnace and introduced into the rotary kiln type preheating furnace. Exhaust gas which has passed through the rotary kiln type preheating furnace is introduced into the shaft type preheating furnace preferably from an upper portion and discharged from a lower portion.

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: The invention provides a novel preheating apparatus and method for preheating a ferrous scrap mixture prior to feeding the scrap into a metallurgical furnace, primarily using heat recovered from hot waste gases emitted from the furnace exhaust port, and simultaneously reducing contaminants from the scrap and from the waste gases, with concurrent downward flow of hot waste gases and downwardly descending scrap. The apparatus has a chamber, including a top compartment with a cold scrap input for depositing cold scrap into the top compartment and a hot waste gas inlet in flow communication with the furnace exhaust port. The chamber also has a bottom compartment with a heated scrap discharging mechanism for force delivering the heated scrap into the furnace and a waste gas outlet in flow communication with a vacuum exhaust for evacuating spent waste gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to produce steel from a ferrous material, by using one furnace divided into, at least, two vessels which are connected to each other at least by ducts for the off-gases and ducts for the melted metal.

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 method for heating and/or melting a charge such as aluminum in a furnace using heat generated by combustion to radiatively heat the charge through a layer of protective gas wherein combustion reaction products generated by the combustion are exhausted from a lower level within the furnace, and, during melting, the protective gas layer has a higher upper boundary than during a subsequent heating period, enabling reduced NO.sub.x generation, lower fuel and oxygen consumption and reduced refractory corrosion by avoiding furnace gas flow through the high temperature upper furnace region.

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: A burner/injector for providing a localized impingement flame or multiple flames for scrap heating and melting through use of a fluid fuel and at least one oxygen rich oxidizing gas. The burner/injector includes a liquid-cooled combustor for generating an impinging flame directed toward a scrap pile and a structure for injecting a controllable amount of a solid material and a controllable flow of high velocity oxidizing gas. The burner/injector may be arranged as a simple liquid-cooled combustor permanently mounted through the furnace wall or roof, and may be equipped with single or multiple channels for injection of solid material and high velocity oxidizing gas. The burner/injector can also be arranged as a water-cooled burner/injector lance accompanied with a water-cooled oxygen injecting lance, both movable through the slag door opening toward the furnace interior.

Abstract: A plant for producing metal includes a electricity supply system and a direct-current electric arc furnace connected thereto, where in order to make do with an electricity supply system possessing a relatively small short-circuit capacity, the direct-current electric arc furnace has at least two electrodes and the electricity supply system has a system short-circuit capacity S.sub.k which is at least equal to ##EQU1## wherein S.sub.i is the nominal power per electrode and i represents an index for the electrodes that varies from 1 up to the maximum number of electrodes in the direct-current electric arc furnace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating residual or waste materials that can be recycled energetically, especially light-weight refuse from shredders, which, reduced in size and classified, are stored in bunkers. The residual or waste material is fed by portions from the bunkers to a supply trough in a metal melting furnace, especially an electric arc furnace for melting steel. After a predetermined time, the residual material is placed by portions into a sluice that can be closed in a gas-tight manner. After the sluice is closed, the residual material is subjected to an oxygen-containing gas, the pressure of which is higher than the pressure at the furnace head of the metal melting furnace, until the pressure within the sluice exceed the pressure in the furnace head. The sluice output opening facing toward the furnace vessel bottom is opened after the pressure within the sluice exceeds the pressure in the furnace head and the residual material is conveyed pneumatically into the chamber part.

Abstract: Mass flow gravity feed furnace charger apparatus includes (1) a charge-well cover having an aperture and (2) an essentially vertical conduit for forming a substantially vertically-oriented column of metal chips or scrap within and above the aperture, and (3) structure for bringing both (1) and (2) into position above a charge well. The conduit is rapidly moveable up and down to force the metal chips or scrap into molten metal in the charge well even when the dross level at the surface of the molten metal is considerable, so that the apparatus and corresponding method permit charging when gravity feed alone is not sufficient or sufficiently rapid. In a preferred embodiment, the conduit has an interior surface provided with gripping means to assist with the downward movement of metal chips or scrap into the molten metal in the charge well when the up and down motion of the conduit is in effect.

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: A burner/injector for providing a localized impingement flame or multiple flames for scrap heating and melting through use of a fluid fuel and at least one oxygen rich oxidizing gas. The burner/injector includes a liquid-cooled combustor for generating an impinging flame directed toward a scrap pile and a structure for injecting a controllable amount of a solid carbonaceous fuel and a controllable flow of high velocity oxidizing gas into space that has been previously occupied by the impinging flame. The burner/injector may be equipped to inject a solid slag forming materials and/or slag deoxidizing materials, and/or to inject an additional oxidizing gas for burning a small portion of preheated scrap, post-combustion of CO and iron-carbon melt refining. The burner/injector may be arranged as a simple liquid-cooled combustor permanently mounted through the furnace wall or roof, and may be equipped with single or multiple channels for injection of solid material and high velocity oxidizing gas.

Abstract: A heat processing furnace is provided with a bifurcated feeder which allows scrap steel to be introduced to the furnace from an associated preheater, and direct reduced iron, slag formers, carburizers, and other alloys to be introduced through a lower channel in the connecting car pan directly into the furnace. The feeder is arcuate which prevents collection of molten metal and slag splash and spatter in the corners. The feeder is mounted on a connecting car, which is preferably removable and interchangeable. Apparatus for accomplishing connecting car interchangeability is also disclosed.