Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cooling the gas flow exiting through the uptake of a smelting furnace such as a flash-smelting furnace with finely dispersed liquid sprays, which prevents the solid matter particles contained within from coalescing and sintering.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for transforming, by chemico-physical reactions inside molten slag, materials to be gasified, thermally destroyed, inertized, or from which elements of commercial value are to be recovered, yielding controlled composition products, in an apparatus made of a single reaction chamber, called reactor, having a substantially cylindrical symmetry, including two portions, a top and a bottom one, said process being characterised in that it comprises the steps of: introducing into the bottom portion of the reactor, sideways through a second injection level and/or vertically from the top thereof, the material to be transformed, the fuel, the comburent and possibly slag inoculants and additives and material-carrying gases; and tapping from the bottom portion of the reactor the transformed material, of controlled composition, and the inert slag.

Abstract: The electric arc furnace is equipped with a supersonic injector comprising a so-called Laval nozzle arranged at a certain distance above the bath. The dimensions of the nozzle are calculated as a function of the desired flow rate of oxygen and the desired velocity of the jet, and the pressure of the oxygen at the intake of the nozzle is such that the static pressure of the jet at the exit of the injector is substantially equal to the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. Preferably, the injector comprises an annular channel for injection of natural gas, and can be used in burner mode at the start of the melting of scrap iron. The velocity of the oxygen is then subsonic.

Abstract: A method for the reduction of metallic oxides and a rotating-hearth furnace. The method is for the reduction of metallic oxides in a furnace with a ring-shaped rotating hearth in which a carbonaceous reducing agent and metallic oxides are deposited in a strip on a part of the rotating hearth and are then transported in a roughly helical movement to a discharge device. The reducing agent is preheated and mixed with the preheated metallic oxides before and/or during their deposition on the rotating hearth. In a first reducing stage, the volatile components of the carbonaceous reducing agent (mainly methane and hydrogen) are used to initiate the reduction of the metallic oxides and, in a second reducing stage, carbon monoxide is used. The rotating-hearth furnace is subdivided into a charging zone, at least one intermediate zone adjacent to the charging zone, and a discharge zone adjacent to the intermediate zone.

Abstract: A combustion chamber in a melter gasifier extends into a fluidized bed to isolate fine particulate ore introduced into the chamber from the remaining internal portion of the melter gasifier. The fine particulate ore is melted in the chamber and falls on the bed to be reduced as it trickles down to the molten metal in the melter gasifler bottom. Reducing gases withdrawn from the melter gasifier are filtered through the bed, thereby preventing the fine particulate ore from being withdrawn with the gases. The chamber can be liquid cooled and use a burner to provide combustion temperatures.

Abstract: A method to minimize oxidation of metal during melting processes is provided, the method comprising placing solid phase metal into a furnace environ-ment, transforming the solid-phase metal into molten metal phase having a molten metal surface, and creating a barrier between the surface and the environment. Also provided is a method for isolating the surface of molten metal from its environment, the method comprising confining the molten metal to a controlled atmos-phere, and imposing a floating substrate between the surface and the atmosphere.

Abstract: A direct smelting process for producing metal from a metalliferous feed material is disclosed. The direct smelting process is a molten bath-based process in which smelting occurs predominantly in the metal layer, carrier gas/metalliferous feed material/solid carbonaceous material are injected into the metal layer via lances/tuyeres, and oxygen-containing gas is injected into the top space above the molten bath and post-combusts reaction gases released from the bath. The injection of metalliferous feed material and solid carbonaceous material causes molten material to be projected from the molten bath as splashes, droplets and streams and to form a transition zone. The process is characterized by forming a pipe of a solid material on an outlet end of at least one lance/tuyere while injecting the metalliferous feed material and the carbonaceous material through the lances/tuyeres and thereby extending the effective length of the lance/tuyere or the lances/tuyeres.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for injecting reducing agents into a shaft furnace in which the reducing agent is transported within a pneumatic delivery stream to the shaft furnace according to the flowing steps; a) dividing the delivery stream into a number of partial streams, b) transferring the individual partial streams through a heating unit, and c) heating the reducing agent within the individual partial streams inside of the heating device. A device for carrying out the inventive method comprises, for example, a delivery line in order to pneumatically deliver the reducing agent to the shaft furnace, and a number of heat exchange pipes which are integrated in the delivery line using a parallel connection, said connection relating to flow techniques, such that the pneumatic delivery stream is divided into a number of partial streams. The inventive device also comprises a heating unit for transmitting heat energy to the individual partial streams.

Abstract: A method of extracting amounts of precious metals from target materials. The target material in particulate form is mixed with particulate copper and coarse-ground wheat flour and roasted at least once in an induction furnace. The roasted mixture is transformed into particulate form and may be re-roasted with additional flour or roasted in a hydrogen furnace, after which it is again transformed into particulate form, mixed with borax and smelted. The result of the smelt contains amounts of precious metals economically recoverable through conventional refining processes, such as electrical-refining.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous degassing of molten metals and subsequent casting of the degassed metal, according to which the molten metal is guided into a vacuum for the purpose of degasification and after degasification is transferred into a casting chamber. To make it possible to carry out these operations continuously and to prevent the degassed metal from coming into contact with untreated metal, the invention provides for the molten metal to be transferred from a first chamber via an ascension pipe having an inlet opening located below the level of the metal bath into a vacuum chamber serving as degasification chamber by utilizing only the lift force resulting from the pressure differential between the vacuum chamber and the first chamber and no other means of transport. From the vacuum chamber the molten meal by gravity flows into the downpipe whose outlet opening is below the level of the molten metal bath in the casting chamber and enters the casting chamber.

Abstract: In a process for melting inorganic materials (7) in a rotary horizontal converter or a rotary kiln (1) by adding fuel (8), oxygen or oxygen-enriched gases (10) and the inorganic materials (7) to a liquid bath (5), solid fuel (8) is added in piece form. The oxygen or the oxygen-enriched gas (10) is blown at high velocity (v) onto the surface of the bath (5), reacts with the solid fuel (8) and releases heat in the course of this. By means of the process of the invention, high temperatures can be achieved with the use of inexpensive fuels.

Abstract: A metal refining method particularly useful with a basic oxygen steelmaking process, wherein during an initial period, refining oxygen is provided into the furnace headspace surrounded by a shroud comprising oxygen and inert gas, and during a subsequent period refining oxygen is provided into the furnace headspace surrounded by a flame shroud.

Abstract: A direct smelting process for producing metals from a metalliferous feed material is disclosed. The process includes forming a molten bath having a metal layer (15) and a slag layer (16) on the metal layer in a metallurgical vessel, injecting metalliferous feed material and solid carbonaceous material into the metal layer via a plurality of lances/tuyeres (11), and smelting metalliferous material to metal in the metal layer. The process also includes causing molten material to be projected as splashes, droplets, and streams into a top space above a nominal quiescent surface of the molten bath to form a transition zone (23).

Abstract: Oxides on the surfaces of metal are reduced by directing reducing gases at them in a forceful and turbulent manner. In a preferred version, the gas is passed through at least two reducing zones designed to maintain a higher concentration of reducing gas in at least one of them than would be the case in a single reducing zone. The oxide-bearing surface is heated at the beginning of the process..

Abstract: Provided is a method for improving energy input in heating and melting of a scrap bulk. The method includes burning a channel into a scrap bulk with a hot, oxygen-containing gas jet having a temperature of at least 500° C. Additional energy for the heating and melting of the scrap bulk is then input through this channel.

Abstract: A hot trap converts unreacted organic metal-film precursor from the exhaust stream of a CVD process. The converted precursor forms a metal film on the surface of the hot trap, thereby protecting hot vacuum pump surfaces from metal build up. A cold trap downstream from the hot trap freezes effluents from the exhaust stream. The metal captured by the hot trap and the effluents captured by the cold trap may then be recycled, rather than being released as environmental emissions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the heat treatment of residues containing heavy metals, carried out in a multiple-hearth furnace which is divided into three zones, each of which comprises several stacked levels. Said method consists of the following steps: continuous feeding of the heavy-metal residues into the top level of the first zone of the multiple-hearth furnace, the residues being gradually transferred to the second zone and dried during the transfer; continuous feeding of reducing agents and desulfurizers into the top level of the second zone, whereby the reducing agents and desulfirizers are mixed with the dried residues and the mixture is heated to approximately 800° C., calcined during heating and gradually transferred to the third zone; heating of the mixture to approximately 1000° C. in the third zone, whereby the metals are reduced and the waste gases resulting in said third zone are drawn off and treated separately; and discharge of the mixture from the multiple-hearth furnace.

Abstract: In a method for producing a hot CO- and H2-containing reducing gas serving for the reduction of fine-grained metal ore, in particular iron ore, the reducing gas is formed in a gasification zone by a gasification of carbon carriers, in particular coal, taking place under the supply of oxygen and subsequently is cooled down to a reducing-gas temperature favorable to the reduction process. In order to produce a thermodynamically more stable reducing gas, the reducing gas by the addition of H2O and/or CO2—in order to prevent the Boudouard and heterogeneous water-gas reaction and a resultant heating of the reducing gas—is converted to a reducing gas that is thermodynamically more stable at the reducing-gas temperature.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuously reducing carbon monoxide (CO), uncombined free hydrogen (H2) and volatile hydrocarbons (VOC's) in molten metal refining vessel off-gases without forming undesirable oxides of nitrogen. Off-gases are directed to a reaction chamber wherein CO, H2 and VOC's are oxidized at a controlled temperature and with a controlled quantity of O2 So as to realize substantially total oxidation of gases present with minimized formation of oxides of nitrogen. Volume and energy of treated gases directed for baghouse treatment are reduced in comparison with prior practice.

Abstract: A granular thermal insulating material comprising rice hull ash, ceramic clay binder, rice bran and an exfoliating agent, and methods to produce the insulating material.

Abstract: A processing apparatus capable of separating and recovering resins and metals, respectively, from an object being processed, which has resins and metals as its constituent, comprises a first gastight area (102), in which temperature and pressure are regulated so as to permit selective thermal decomposition of resins from the object (150) being processed, a second gastight area (103), which is partitioned from the first gastight area by an openable and closeable partition (105C) and in which temperature and pressure are regulated so as to permit selective vaporization of metals from the object, first recovering chamber (111) connected to the first gastight area for recovering gases produced by thermal decomposition of resins, and second recovering chamber (115) connected to the second gastight area for recovering vaporized metals.

Abstract: Device and relative method to inject technological gases and solid material in powder form, in a furnace used in steel and metallurgical melting processes, comprising an emission element including an outlet mouth arranged at a certain distance from the liquid bath, said emission element being innerly shaped as a double nozzle, respectively first and second, the first nozzle having a convergent/divergent conformation defined by a neck and being predisposed for the emission of a jet of gas at supersonic speed, said second nozzle having at the end a conformation convergent towards the axis of the emission element and being pre-disposed, according to the step of the melting process in progress, for the emission of a jet at subsonic speed either of technological gases alone, such as for example oxygen, or of solid material in powder form on a gassy vehicle, or of liquid in atomized form.

Abstract: In a process for vitrifying heavy-metal-containing residues having a chlorine content above 10% by mass, in particular from flue gas cleaning, which are melted in a melting furnace, the constituents which cannot be incorporated into the melt are separated in the main furnace into two fractions, the first fraction comprising the readily volatile components and the second fraction comprising the salt-like less volatile components, and the first fraction is evaporated off, conducted out of the furnace together with the exhaust gas and collected as condensate, and the second fraction is separated from the surface of the melt as liquid salt and is discharged.

Abstract: Arrangement for the reduction of metal-oxide-bearing material, particularly of iron ore, with a reduction vessel in which the metal-oxide-bearing material is reduced in counterflow with reduction gas and which is provided with an inlet for metal-oxide-bearing material, an inlet for reduction gas, an outlet for off-gas and an outlet for reduced material, a vessel for metal-oxide-bearing material, which is connected with the reduction vessel by means of a line and a first supply line for a sealing gas which serves to seal the reduction vessel against the vessel, which first supply line is provided at the connecting line between the vessel and the reduction vessel, characterized in that at least one additional supply line for a sealing gas is provided at the connecting line, which additional supply line is located between the first supply line and the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating combustibles by slagging combustion, such as municipal wastes, plastic wastes, sewage sludges, or automobile wastes. Combustibles and oxygen-containing gas are supplied to a slagging combustion furnace (3), and the combustibles are partially oxidized under a reducing atmosphere in a primary combustion chamber (8) to obtain combustible gas and convert ash content in the combustibles into molten slag which is discharged from a slag separation chamber (10), and then the combustible gas is completely combusted in a secondary combustion chamber (9) by supplying oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A continuous process is provided for rapid melting of a variety of virgin and recycled ferrous and non-ferrous metals. This is accomplished by distributing the introduction of the unmelted charge materials and hence the melting heat requirements along an elongate gas-solid-liquid reaction zone within a rotary furnace, according to the distribution of heat available to effect melting. In the case of fine-sized metal charge materials, fluxes and additive reagents, this charge distribution is implemented by traversing of the nozzle jet, as directed to penetrate into the metal and slag bath from a solids injection lance, successively backwards and forwards and, in the case of coarse-sized materials, by traversing of the discharge from an oscillating conveyor.

Abstract: A mixed layer of fine ore and coal char and a layer of fine coal are stacked on a hearth in the form of separate layers from each other. The fine ore is reduced while fine coal is pyrolyzed to produce coal char. The produced coal char is used repeatedly.

Abstract: An arrangement wherein a coherent jet is established proximate to a powder injection system and the coherent jet not only provides for gas delivery but also serves to improve the efficiency of the delivery of powder from the powder injection system.

Abstract: A dispersion strengthening method for metallic melts that are used to form large articles. The method comprises adding nanophase particles into a molten metallic melt and dispersing the nanophase particles in the metallic melt. The nanophase particles comprising particles with diameters in the range of about 5 nanometers to about 100 nanometers. The step of dispersing the nanophase particles in the metallic melt spaces the particles from each other with an average interparticle spacing (IPS) in a range from about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a metal formed product comprises a molten metal-holding furnace; a semisolidified metal-producing mechanism; a cooling member-restoring mechanism arranged adjacent to the semisolidified metal-producing mechanism, for applying a restoring treatment so that chillers have a desired function; a forming machine for forming semisolidified metal to have a predetermined shape; and an articulated robot capable of transporting a crucible to the molten metal-holding furnace, the semisolidified metal-producing mechanism, and the forming machine. The semisolidified metal-producing mechanism includes first to third agitators. The cooling member-restoring mechanism includes first to third treating sections. These components are arranged in a direction of back and forth movement of the articulated robot. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently obtain the metal formed product having a high quality.

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: The process for melting oxidic slags and combustion residues having a minimum content of metallized portions such as, e.g., iron and/or carbon carriers, of 3% by weight is carried out in a shaft furnace directly heated by means of fossil fuels via burners. The molten slag bath is transferred into a hearth type furnace immediately adjoining the shaft furnace and in which metals such as, for instance, copper are separated by sedimentation under thermal dissociation and discharged separately via a bottom outlet. The completely oxidized slag reaches a consecutively arranged slag treating reactor via a separate discharge.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a gas-supersaturated fluid comprising a fluid reservoir, a fluid pump, a gas source, a high pressure gas exchanger, and one or more arrays of capillary channels is disclosed. Suitable controls such as differential pressure gauge and valves are provided to maintain a near constant hydrostatic pressure of the fluid within the semi-permeable membrane gas-fluid interface of the gas exchanger at approximately 1% to 20% higher than the gas partial pressure of the fluid within the gas exchanger. Gas-supersaturated fluid output from the gas exchanger via the capillary channels is at a flow velocity of greater than 0.05 m/sec, thereby facilitating delivery of large flow rates of gas-supersaturated fluids without cavitation inception.

Abstract: In a method for treating particulate material in the fluidized bed method, the particulate material is maintained in a fluidized bed by a treating gas flowing from bottom to top and thereby is treated. To minimize the consumption of treating gas and to reduce entrainment of fine particles by the treating gas, a particulate material having a wide grain distribution and a relatively high portion of fines is used for treatment and the treating gas in the fluidized bed is maintained at a superficial velocity less than the velocity required for fluidizing the largest particles of said particulate material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the reduction of metal-oxide-bearing material, particularly of iron ore, in a reduction vessel (1), wherein the metal-oxide-bearing material is charged from a vessel (2) for the metal-oxide-bearing material into the reduction vessel (1) and reduced therein by means of a reduction gas flowing counter currently to the metal-oxide-bearing material and wherein waste reduction gas discharged from the reduction vessel (1) is used for preheating the metal-oxide-bearing material in the vessel (2) for metal-oxide-bearing material, which is characterized in that the waste reduction gas discharged from the reduction vessel (1) is combusted and that a gas seal (16) is operated with the combusted waste reduction gas, which is located between the reduction vessel (1) and the vessel (2) for metal-oxide-bearing material, whereby the reduction vessel (1) is sealed against the vessel (2) for metal-oxide-bearing material (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A method for producing solid metal product is disclosed including the steps of providing carbon and metal bearing compounds in compacts, coating the compacts with treatment materials, encapsulating the compacts with carbonaceous containing materials to form a residual layer, and treating the residual layer before introduction of the compacts into a furnace. The compacts contain carbon containing metal bearing compounds, and are coated with mixtures of carbonaceous materials dispersed within a binder material such as a viscous liquid, molasses, alcohol, or fuel oil. The coated compacts are treated to form a hardened outer residual layer. The outer residual layer provides for a sacrificial outer coating on the compacts that reacts with any oxidizing gaseous components within the furnace, while the carbon containing metal bearing compounds within the compacts are heated and metallized inside the compounds.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reduction method in which powder raw material, including powder ore or partially pre-reduced powder ore, forms a fluidized bed with, and is sequentially reduced by reducing gas while being moved between a plurality of fluidized bed chambers; and to a fluidized bed reduction reactor which can be used in the same method. The movement of the powder ore between the fluidized bed chambers is carried out giving priority to relatively larger powder particles with the aim of improving the stability of the fluidized bed in the fluidized bed chambers. The adjustment of the reducing power of each fluidized bed chamber is made possible by introducing the reducing gas into the fluidized bed chambers in parallel, whereby an increase in the degree of reduction of the raw material can be realised.

Abstract: A system for establishing and maintaining a supersonic coherent gas jet, effective with either an oxidizing or an inert gas, employing a converging/diverging nozzle for establishment of a non-disruptive initial supersonic velocity, and a slower moving defined triple layered flame envelope coaxial with the jet for effective maintenance of the supersonic velocity. The invention is particularly useful for providing gas into a pool of liquid.

Abstract: The production of highly metallized feed, an intermediate product produced solely by gaseous reductants in two stage reduction processes of that kind, encounters sticking problems, which interfere with continuous processing and productivity. This problem has been overcome by exploiting a high volatile carbonaceous material, such as coal, as the reducing agent for the (partially reduced) oxide ore starting material in the solid state prereduction stage of a duplex process, in which the final stage consists of smelting, to produce the final metal (alloy). Intermediate products of the first stage are char from the coal, which avoids the sticking problem, partially reduced ore and CO and H2, which participate in the prereduction. The process has particular application to iron ores, such as haematite and magnetite and similar derivatives, namely, chromite and oxidic nickel ores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for pyrometallurgical processing, in a furnace chamber, of metal-containing waste which may also contain a quantity of organic material. The process involves a reducing gas being blown with high velocity onto the surface of the smelt in which the metal oxides are present in the molten state, the reducing gas being made by incomplete combustion of a fuel and/or the organic material and an oxygen-containing gas. Additionally, steam and/or an oxygen-rich gas such as almost pure oxygen are injected, roughly parallel to the surface of the smelt, into the oven chamber above said surface. The total amount of oxygen used in the furnace chamber is lower than the amount required stoichiometrically for complete combustion of the organic material together with the fuel.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously recycling a plurality of used oil filters involves placing a plurality of the filters into a rectangular compartment having a top, opposite sides, a bottom, and first and second ends. Pressure is exerted on the oil filters in a first longitudinal direction, and a second compressive pressure is imposed on the filters in a second longitudinal direction at a substantial right angle with respect to the first longitudinal direction. The first and second pressures are sufficient to compress the air filters to a substantial self-contained rectangular block. This method produces a self-contained block wherein 90% to 95% of the residual oil in the filters is removed.

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: 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 process for recovering metal from spent catalyst, containing at least a metal component, comprising providing a heated, liquid metal bath, at a temperature sufficient to melt the metal in the spent catalyst, and create off gas from any volatile non-metal catalyst components, adding spent catalyst to the bath, collecting off gas from the bath, transporting the collected off gas to a gas cooler, and maintaining the off gas during the transportation at a temperature of at least about 875.degree. F.; rapidly cooling the off gas to less than about 275.degree. F. in no more than about 0.15 seconds, to prevent the formation of dioxin; and withdrawing melted metal from the bath, for reuse as catalyst.

Abstract: This invention covers the method and equipment for the continuous or discontinuous addition of reaction/inoculation materials necessary for desulphurization or the production of ductile iron obtainable during the passage of the base iron through a basin containing the chamber for melting, vaporizing and distributing the reaction-inoculation materials into the melt (e.g. magnesium vapor-Ferrum Silicon). The treatment can be conducted continuously for unlimited or freely definable quantities of iron.

Abstract: A method for purifying liquid metal heat exchange fluids uses a contacting drum in combination with purifiers to control metal hydride precipitation in a process with high hydrogen permeation. The contacting drum receives a slip stream of a circulating liquid metal stream and removes hydrogen from dissolved hydride by providing a high interfacial surface area and sufficient temperature for hydride decomposition under vacuum conditions. The liquid metal with a reduced hydride level may be returned to the circulating heat exchange stream or undergo further purification by hydride precipitation and filtration in a cold trap. The drum may be integrated with the cold traps to decompose re-dissolved hydride from a regenerant stream that dissolves precipitated hydride from the cold traps.

Abstract: A process for purifying waste gases from smelting, resmelting or combustion plant furnaces and the use of the filter dusts produced. The invention is used in particular in the production or preparation of nonferrous metals. According to the invention, at least one alkali compound, in particular NaHCO.sub.3, is injected dry, optionally in the presence of activated carbon and/or open hearth coke, into the waste gas leaving the production process. The separated filter dust is fed back to the smelting or combustion process. It has unexpectedly been found that the returned filter dust can lower the dioxin and furan contents of the crude gas. Owing to the composition of the filter dust, it can also be used as protective salt in secondary aluminum production.

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: A method for processing solid waste incineration residues is disclosed in which the residues are introduced a steelworks slag bath in a sufficient amount so that the residues constitute from 15-45% by weight of the combined weight of the solid waste incineration residues and the steelworks slag bath. The residues are melted to effect the evaporation of heavy metals; which are drawn off from the steelworks slag bath to leave a heavy-metal-depleted slag bath. The residual bath is reduced with carbon carriers to form a slag phase and a pig iron phase. The slag phase can be granulated to produce mixed cement components.

Abstract: A method for disposing synthetic resinous material comprises: dechlorinating a synthetic resinous material by heating the synthetic resinous material and decomposing the same; and supplying the synthetic resinous material into the furnace as a fuel or a reducing agent. An apparatus comprises: a chlorine removing means for dechlorinating the synthetic resinous material by heating the synthetic resinous material; and a pulverizer for pulverizing the dechlorinated synthetic resinous material, a supply means for supplying the processed synthetic resinous material into a furnace.