Abstract: A metal melting furnace including a stirring device as includes: a furnace body defining a chamber for accommodating molten metal; the stirring device including a stirring disc and a drive device, the stirring disc including a disc body, a feedstock holding portion, and a feedstock inlet via which feedstock is replenished to the feedstock holding portion, a stirring rod being connected on the disc body, a plurality of vertically through openings being provided on the disc body and/or on the feedstock holding portion, the drive device being in drive connection to the stirring rod, the drive device being configured to drive the stirring rod to lift such that the stirring disc is immersed in or lifted out of the molten metal in the chamber, the feedstock holding portion being configured to hold the feedstock on the stirring disc such that the feedstock move together with the stirring disc.

Abstract: A method for heating a furnace (40) used for metal processing by combusting a fuel in the furnace (40) by supplying an oxidizing gas through an oxidizing gas supply line (20) into the furnace (40) and by supplying a fuel through a fuel supply line (30) into the furnace (40), wherein the oxidizing gas is supplied in form of a central oxidizing gas flow (24) together with a first shroud gas flow (25), and/or the fuel is supplied in form of a central fuel flow (34) together with a second shroud gas flow (35), and to a corresponding burner (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to production of alloys based on aluminum. A method is proposed for producing aluminum-based alloys by electrolysis, according to which low-consumable anode of aluminum pot is used as a source of alloying elements. At the same time, in order to optimize master alloy consumption, one of the following options is chosen: dissolution of alloying elements from slightly soluble anodes; adding oxides and/or fluorides and/or carbonates of alloying elements to electrolyte melt of aluminum pot; simultaneous dissolution of alloying elements from slightly soluble anodes with addition of oxides and/or fluorides and/or carbonates of alloying elements to electrolyte melt of aluminum pot.

Abstract: Ultrasonic probes containing a plurality of gas delivery channels are disclosed, as well as ultrasonic probes containing recessed areas near the tip of the probe. Ultrasonic devices containing these probes, and methods for molten metal degassing using these ultrasonic devices, also are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preventing the ignition of molten magnesium by contacting the molten magnesium with a gaseous mixture comprising a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of perfluoroketones, hydrofluoroketones, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The melter furnace includes a heating chamber (16), a pump chamber (18), a degassing chamber (20), and a filter chamber (22). The pump chamber (18) is located adjacent the heating chamber (16) and houses a molten metal pump (30). The degassing chamber (20) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the pump chamber (18), and houses a degassing mechanism (36). The filter chamber (22) is located adjacent and in fluid communication with the degassing chamber (20). The filter chamber (22) includes a molten metal filter (38). The melter furnace (12) is used to supply molten metal to an externally located holder furnace (14), which then recirculates molten metal back to the melter furnace (12).

Abstract: A process for melting an aluminum charge into molten aluminum and simultaneously refining the molten aluminum to produce a refined molten aluminum having a low hydrogen content in a direct fired furnace (10) is provided.

Abstract: A shaft for use in a method for treating molten aluminum using an impeller mounted on the shaft comprising a protective refractory sleeve resistant to attack by molten aluminum, the protective sleeve mounted on the shaft by casting to extend above and below the molten aluminum surface when the shaft is in use.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating molten aluminum or zinc having a housing providing a chamber for containing a molten metal. The chamber including an inlet opening and an outlet passage. A rotatable impeller disposed within the chamber for drawing molten metal in through the inlet and expelling molten metal through the outlet passage. A convergent nozzle being positioned in the outlet passage. A gas injection conduit having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of purifying gas and an outlet in proximity to the chamber, and positioned upstream of the nozzle.

Abstract: A method of heating a body of molten metal passing through a treatment bay. The method comprises providing a body of molten metal in a treatment bay and providing a baffle heater in the treatment bay to contact the molten metal. The baffle heater is comprised of a member fabricated from a material substantially inert to the molten metal, the member containing at least one heating element receptacle. An electric heating element is positioned in the receptacle for heating the member, the element protected from the molten metal by the material constituting the member.

Abstract: A method of liberating or producing chlorine from hexachloroethane, the method comprising the steps of providing a body comprised of solid hexachloroethane and heating the body to a temperature sufficient to cause the solid hexachloroethane to produce hexachloroethane vapors. Thereafter, the hexachloroethane vapors are exposed to a heated surface and the hexachloroethane vapor decomposed utilizing heat from the heated surface to liberate chlorine from the hexachloroethane vapor.

Abstract: Offgas recycling processes, including an argon degassing embodiment which cyclically regenerates one treatment flow path while the other treatment flow path is treating the offgas. The system is changed into a second mode to regenerate the previously treating portion of the system while the offgas is being treated by the previously regenerated treatment device. A second embodiment oxidizes a copper chloride bed to release chlorine, which is injected into the melt. The offgas contains chlorine and HCl, which react with a second bed, containing oxides of copper, forming copper chloride. Water vapor and nitrogen are exhausted to the environment. Before the beds are fully reacted, the flow of gas through the beds is reversed, oxidizing the CuCl bed and reducing the copper oxides.

Abstract: A method of liberating or producing chlorine from hexachloroethane, the method comprising the steps of providing a body comprised of solid hexachloroethane and heating the body to a temperature sufficient to cause the solid hexachloroethane to produce hexachloroethane vapors. Thereafter, the hexachloroethane vapors are exposed to a heated surface and the hexachloroethane vapor decomposed utilizing heat from the heated surface to liberate chlorine from the hexachloroethane vapor.

Abstract: An improved method for processing a body of molten metal using an impeller and a rotatable container, the method including increasing shear forces in the body of molten aluminum and reducing vortex formation, the method comprising the steps of providing a body of molten metal in a container and projecting an impeller on a shaft into the body. The impeller is rotated in one direction and the container and the body of molten metal is rotated counter or in a direction opposite of rotating the impeller, the container and the impeller being rotated at a rate which minimizes vortex formation and which maximizes shear forces in the body for purposes of improved processing.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating molten metal to achieve effective removal of such unwanted inclusions as gases, alkali metals, entrained solids, and the like. The method comprises continuously introducing molten metal into a container forming a trough or trough section, such as the trough provided between a melting furnace and a casting machine, providing at least one mechanically movable gas dispenser submerged within the metal in the container and introducing a gas into the metal adjacent to the gas disperser in a part of the trough forming a treatment zone such that the gas is broken into smaller bubbles by the gas dispenser and dispersed through the treatment zone. The trough or trough section is such that it exhibits a static to dynamic metal holdup of less than 50%.

Abstract: An improved method for dispersing high levels of fluxing gas in a body of molten aluminum using an impeller or disperser to disperse the fluxing gas in the body of molten aluminum, the method producing increased shear forces in the body of molten aluminum and reducing vortex formation. The method comprises the steps of providing a body of molten aluminum and a disperser in the body. A fluxing gas is added to the body at the rate of 1 to greater than 200 SCF/hour and dispersed by rotating the disperser in one direction and thereafter reversing the direction of rotation to a counter direction. The direction of rotation is reversed periodically to substantially reduce formation of a vortex and to provide increased shear forces in the body for purposes of improving dispersion of the fluxing gas in the molten aluminum.

Abstract: An improved method for treating a body of molten aluminum using an impeller suitable for dispersing fluxing gas or solid particles in the body of molten aluminum. The method produces increased shear forces in the body of molten aluminum and reduces vortex formation. The method comprises providing a body of molten aluminum and projecting an impeller on a shaft into the body, the impeller comprising a rectangular-shaped body having a first rectangular-shaped face and a second rectangular-shaped face disposed substantially opposite the first face, the faces substantially parallel to the shaft and defined by a length L and a height H wherein the length L is greater than the height H.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved process for treating molten aluminum or aluminum alloys containing impurities, such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and hydrogen, to reduce the amount of impurities contained therein by in-line rotor degassing. The process comprising the sequential steps of: (a) contacting said molten aluminum or aluminum alloy with chlorine gas by rotor injection; and (b) contacting the molten aluminum or aluminum alloy with a mixture of chlorine gas and sulfur hexafluoride gas by rotor injection, wherein the chlorine gas flow rate in step (a) is between approximately 0.005 to 0.025 scfm and the gas flow rate in step (b) is a combination of a sulfur hexafluoride gas flow rate of between approximately 0.012 and 0.032 scfm and a chlorine gas flow rate of between approximately 0.005 to 0.025 scfm and wherein the ratio of sulfur hexafluoride flow to chlorine gas flow in step (b) is between approximately 1.25 and 2.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating molten metal to achieve effective removal of such unwanted inclusions as gases, alkali metals, entrained solids, and the like. The method comprises introducing molten metal into a trough, such as the trough provided between a melting furnace and a casting machine, providing at least one mechanically movable gas injector submerged within the metal in the trough and injecting a gas into the metal in a part of the trough forming a treatment zone through the injector(s) to form gas bubbles in the metal while moving the injector(s) mechanically to minimize bubble size and maximize distribution of the gas within the metal.

Abstract: There is provided an improved method for dispersing a treatment media in a body of molten metal using an impeller to disperse the media in the body of molten metal, the method producing increased shear forces in the body of molten metal and reducing vortex formation. The method comprises the steps of providing a body of molten metal and an impeller on a shaft in the body. A treatment media is added to the body and dispersed by rotating said impeller in one direction and thereafter reversing the direction of rotation of the impeller to a counter direction. The direction of rotation of the impeller is reversed periodically to substantially reduce formation of a vortex around the shaft of the impeller and to provide increased shear forces in the body for purposes of improving treatment of the molten metal by improved dispersion of the media therein.

Abstract: A method of gas fluxing molten aluminum with at least two, relatively small diameter upper and lower rotatable dispersers located in the molten aluminum and mounted on a shaft. Fluxing gas is added to the molten aluminum beneath each of the rotatable dispersers at a substantial rate of gas flow while rotating the dispersers at a substantial rpm in the molten aluminum. The dispersers directly shear gas bubbles that form in the molten aluminum as the fluxing gas is directed into the molten aluminum beneath each of the dispersers. The direct shearing of the gas bubbles maintains a high surface area between the bubbles and molten aluminum to effect efficient removal of impurities in the molten aluminum.

Abstract: This invention relates to master alloy hardeners for use in preparing aluminum base alloys. The respective concentrations of the alloying elements in the master alloy hardener are a multiple equal to or greater than 2 of the concentrations of such elements in the base alloy, and the ratios of the alloying elements in the master alloy hardener to each other are the same as the ratios of the alloying elements in the base alloy. After the aluminum base alloy and the concentration of each alloying element therein are identified, a desired multiple of such concentrations is determined. An aluminum master alloy is prepared that contains the alloying elements at concentrations equivalent to such multiple of the corresponding concentrations of the elements in the base alloy. The master alloy hardeners are added to commercially pure aluminum to provide the desired base alloy.

Abstract: There is provided an improved method for dispersing a treatment media in a body of molten metal using an impeller to disperse the media in the body of molten metal, the method producing increased shear forces in the body of molten metal and reducing vortex formation. The method comprises the steps of providing a body of molten metal and an impeller on a shaft in the body. A treatment media is added to the body and dispersed by rotating said impeller in one direction and thereafter reversing the direction of rotation of the impeller to a counter direction. The direction of rotation of the impeller is reversed periodically to substantially reduce formation of a vortex around the shaft of the impeller and to provide increased shear forces in the body for purposes of improving treatment of the molten metal by improved dispersion of the media therein.

Abstract: A device is described for injecting gas into molten metal, e.g. molten aluminum, in a furnace chamber. It comprises: (a) a stirring apparatus having a reservoir chamber separate from the furnace chamber, a connector portion with an orifice connecting the interior of the furnace and the reservoir for the passage of the molten metal between them through the connector portion, vacuum/pressure generating means connected to the reservoir chamber interior for alternatively and successively producing therein a vacuum for drawing molten metal into its interior from the furnace chamber and a positive pressure for expelling the molten metal therefrom into the furnace chamber through the orifice in the form of a high velocity stirring jet, and (b) gas injector means adapted to inject gas into the high velocity stirring jet such that the gas is broken down into a large number of small bubbles which are circulated throughout the furnace chamber with the stirring jet.

Abstract: The present invention includes process and apparatus for continuously monitoring or detecting a liquid element or compound in another, different liquid including introducing a gas into a first liquid, measuring bubble size of bubble formation of the gas in the first liquid, introducing a second liquid element or compound into the first liquid to form a combination liquid, introducing a gas into the combination liquid, measuring bubble size of bubble formation of the gas in the combination liquid, and comparing gas bubble formation in the first liquid with gas bubble formation in the combination liquid to determine the amount of the second liquid in the combination liquid. The present invention further includes controlling or adjusting the amount of the second liquid contained in the first liquid in response to the monitoring and detecting determination of the present invention.

Abstract: When molten aluminium is treated with chlorine to remove alkali and alkaline earth metals and hydrogen, there is formed a brittle oxide crust which does not protect the metal from oxidation. This problem is solved by admixing with the chlorine a minor proportion of a gaseous compound of fluorine, preferably sulphur hexafluoride, which can form alkali or alkaline earth metal fluorides in the presence of molten aluminium. The proportion of sulphur hexafluoride to chlorine gas is preferably from 0.01 to 1.0. Ingots cast using the treated metal are free of oxide patches on their surface.

Abstract: The process for purifying a metal melt operates with an active gas introduced into the lower region thereof and consisting of an inert carrier gas and an active, gaseous halogen which are introduced under control into a vessel with the stagnant or flowing metal melt.The active, gaseous halogen is generated at a controlled rate in at least one gas evolution cell and introduced into the carrier gas. The active gas mixture is passed directly into the metal melt. The gas feed line of the halogen does not have any control element.The gas evolution cell for generating the halogen is preferably an exchangeable electrolysis cell, gas being produced only when the electrolysis current is switched on, which follows a nominal curve proportionally to the current intensity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of a liquid with a gas. A gas injector, for example oxygen, is surrounded with a sheath to carry a flow of a liquid under treatment (for example lead) which is taken up and circulated by the pump. The end of the injector is thereby protected by moving away the bubbles of oxygen. Application for example in the refining of metals, for example non ferrous metals, food liquids, paper pulps and the production of sulfur.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for purifying aluminum and lithium including recovering aluminum and lithium through layered electrolysis through a lithium transport cell to form purified lithium metal and residual aluminum and purifying the residual aluminum through a second stage layered electrolysis through a second stage lithium transport cell to form purified aluminum metal. In one aspect, the process provides the second stage step for purifying the residual aluminum by chlorinating the residual aluminum to form a purified aluminum.In one aspect, layered electrolysis is provided by a three-layered electrolysis cell including an end layer of molten aluminum-lithium alloy, a middle layer of molten salt electrolyte, and an opposite end layer of molten lithium.

Abstract: A method for controlling the magnesium content of molten aluminum includes the steps of injecting a halogen gas into the molten aluminum, sampling a portion of the resulting gases evolved from the molten aluminum, detecting the presence of constituents in the sampled gases and/or characteristics of the sampled gases indicative of the imminent evolution of unreacted halogen gas, and adjusting the rate of halogen gas injection to approach the point where unreacted halogen gas is about to be evolved. In the preferred embodiment, the halogen gas is chlorine; the detected constituents are gaseous hydrogen chloride (CHl) and aluminum chlorhydrate compounds (Al.sub.2 Cl.sub.x .multidot.(OH).sub.6-x); and the detected characteristic is the opacity of the sampled gases. The invention includes a technique for adjusting the rate of halogen gas injection so as to approach the optimal rate. The invention also includes (1) a sensor for detecting the content of HCl and Al.sub.2 Cl.sub.x .multidot.(OH).sub.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of the inline degassing of the molten metal employing a fluxing gas.

Abstract: A process is described for recycling scrap aluminum-matrix composites, e.g. gates and risers from a casting operation. A melt of the scrap composite is provided in a treatment vessel by heating at a temperature of 720.degree.-750.degree. C., such as to avoid unwanted stirring and contamination of the melt. While mixing with the impeller, a gas is injected through a gas outlet beneath the surface of the melt and near the rotating impeller. This melt is mixed with a vaned rotor impeller such that no vortex is formed and oxide film is not drawn into the melt. This treatment gas comprises a mixture of a major proportion of an inert gas and a minor proportion of reactive gas. The gas injection is continued only until small gas bubbles have been well distributed through the melt but before the gas causes the reinforcing parties to start rising to the surface. After the gas is stopped, the melt is allowed to rest for a period of time at the reaction temperature of 720.degree.-750.degree. C.