Abstract: A metal furnace header gate system haying a recirculation port in the furnace, a hot gas generator, a gas blower, and a furnace door. The door has an embedded gas manifold and outlet ports that each connect the manifold to a directional nozzle. The blower draws exhaust from the recirculation port into the hot gas generator, which generates additional exhaust and mixes the exhaust gases together. The blower forces this exhaust mixture into the manifold, through the nozzles, and into the furnace. A computer controls the blower and the hot gas generator to regulate the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for using magnetic fields (e.g., changing magnetic fields) to control metal flow conditions during casting (e.g., casting of an ingot, billet, or slab). The magnetic fields can be introduced using rotating permanent magnets or electromagnets. The magnetic fields can be used to induce movement of the molten metal in a desired direction, such as in a rotating pattern around the surface of the molten sump. The magnetic fields can be used to induce metal flow conditions in the molten sump to increase homogeneity in the molten sump and resultant ingot.

Abstract: A method of heating a charge material by controlling heat flux in a tilt rotary furnace is disclosed. Combustion by the burner forms a heat release profile including a high heat flux region. The positioning of the high heat flux region is controllable by providing a controlled amount of secondary or staged oxidant. The burner is configured and controlled to position a region of high heat flux at a position corresponding to an area requiring greater heating, such as the area of maximum charge depth in the furnace to provide substantially uniform melting and heat distribution.

Abstract: A metal reclaiming system and method for reclaiming metal from scrap material is provided. The system has a furnace (12) and a controller (106) for controlling operation of the system. The controller (106) operates the metal reclaiming system in a first operating mode in which the furnace (12) is operated at a first temperature in the range of 350° C. to 550° C. to incinerate pollutants and drive off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the scrap material without melting the metal. The controller (106) is operates the metal reclaiming system in a subsequent operating mode in which the furnace (12) is operated at a further, higher temperature to melt metal in the said scrap for reclaiming.

Abstract: A tilting rotary furnace with a door assembly that seals against a furnace vessel. The seal between the door and the furnace vessel allows for regulation of the internal environment of the furnace and control over thermitting of the aluminum. As a result, aluminum recovery may be carried out without the use of salt. A portion of the door may rotate with the furnace vessel and a portion of the door may remain rotationally stationary with respect to the furnace vessel and the rotating portion of the door.

Abstract: A method is described for smelting fragmentized aluminum scrap, with the aluminum scrap to be smelted being molten in a furnace after thermal pre-treatment in a hot-gas stream. In order to provide advantageous process conditions it is proposed that the aluminum scrap is subjected at first in a continuous flow of material to the thermal treatment and is smelted thereafter, and that from the hot gas stream guided in a circulation for the thermal treatment of the aluminum scrap a partial stream is branched off and is guided into the furnace.

Abstract: A simple, compact burner achieves a more optimal melting of a solid charge followed by performance of combustion under distributed combustion conditions. The burner achieves this by fluidically bending the flame towards the solid charge during a melting phase with an actuating jet of oxidant, redirecting the flame in a direction away from the charge, and staging injection of oxidant among primary and secondary portions during a distributed combustion phase.

Abstract: A metal reclaiming system and method for reclaiming metal from scrap material is provided. The system has a furnace (12) and a controller (106) for controlling operation of the system. The controller (106) operates the metal reclaiming system in a first operating mode in which the furnace (12) is operated at a first temperature in the range of 350° C. to 550° C. to incinerate pollutants and drive off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the scrap material without melting the metal. The controller (106) is operates the metal reclaiming system in a subsequent operating mode in which the furnace (12) is operated at a further, higher temperature to melt metal in the said scrap for reclaiming.

Abstract: This invention relates to a waste treatment furnace and method comprising: Generating a molten metal bed, which moves in a forward direction, such as to define a closed circuit in a cyclical and continuous manner, the surface of said bed comprising at least one essentially-slag-free segment. Loading waste onto the aforementioned essentially-slag-free segment, the waste being dragged by the molten metal bed such that it floats in the mentioned forward direction. Retaining the waste on the surface of the molten metal bed as it moves in the mentioned forward direction. Treating the waste under the effect of the constant and continuous heat exchange generated by the movement of the molten metal bed beneath the waste retained thereon.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for a remelt block containing aluminum designed for making aluminum alloy for the aircraft industry in which scrap containing mainly aluminum alloys used in the aircraft industry is supplied during a supply stage, the scrap is melted in a smelting furnace in order to obtain an initial molten metal bath during a smelting stage, the initial molten metal bath is subjected to purification by fractional crystallization in order to obtain a solidified mass and a bath of residual liquid during a segregation stage, and the solidified mass is recovered in order to obtain a remelt block during a recovery stage. The invention is particularly useful for the recycling of aluminum alloys used in the aircraft industry as it makes it possible to purify scrap of series 2XXX or series 7XXX alloys for iron and silicon, without eliminating additive elements such as zinc, copper and magnesium.

Abstract: A metal regeneration method including: a melting furnace cleaning step of melting pure aluminum with an aluminum content of 99.5% by weight or higher in a melting furnace to clean the inside of the melting furnace; and a metal regeneration step of melting waste lithographic printing plates selected from unused lithographic printing plates and used lithographic printing plates, in the melting furnace whose inside has been cleaned by the melting furnace cleaning step, to obtain regenerated metal.

Abstract: A process for recycling composite materials includes the steps of feeding a quantity of composite material composed of at least one polymer and aluminum into at least one first reactor; heating the composite material in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to volatilize the at least one polymer and form a hydrocarbon by-product and aluminum in the at least one first reactor; feeding the aluminum free of the at least one polymer into a second reactor; and heating the aluminum in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to melt the aluminum in the second reactor.

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: A method is described for reclaiming an Al—B4C composite scrap material. The method involves heating a liquid pool of molten aluminum while also pre-heating the scrap material. The scrap material is then added to the molten aluminum and a predetermined melt temperature is maintained in the liquid pool until all of the scrap material melts into the molten aluminum to form a resultant composite melt. Finally, the resultant composite melt is stirred to promote uniformity. A method is also described for preparing a B4C-containing aluminum cast composite products that involves preparing a mixture of free-flowing B4C particles and molten aluminum and stirring the mixture to wet the aluminum to the B4C particles. The mixture is then cast into a cast composite material and processed to form the cast composite product and Al—B4C composite scrap material. The scrap material is then reclaimed by the method described above.

Abstract: A method of recycling metallic coated scrap pieces wherein the coating layer liquidus temperature is lower than the core layer solidus temperature, such as brazing sheet scrap pieces, or metallic coated scrap pieces wherein the upper part of the melting range of the coating layer overlaps the lower part of the melting range of the core layer, by at least partially removing the coating layer from the core layer of the scrap pieces making use of a heat resistant metallurgical vessel having an opening for introducing the scrap pieces into the vessel and an exit for discharging essentially molten alloy. The vessel being rotatable around an axis of rotation.

Abstract: A molten aluminum alloy processing method is intended use sludge produced by the zinc phosphate treatment of structures including those of aluminum alloys effectively as a flux for molten aluminum alloy processing. The flux contains 3 to 30% by mass fluorine-equivalent metal fluorides, 40 to 90% by mass metal phosphates (8 to 18% by mass P) and 50% by mass or below inorganic salts. The sum of contents of the inorganic salts and metal phosphates is 90% by mass or below.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material package comprising a housing, at least one piece of scrap material contained in the housing, wherein the weight of the housing is from 1 to 5% of the weight of said scrap material, and the housing and the scrap material have melting points that are greater than about 300° F. The present invention further relates to associated methods and products employed with material packages as well as meltable housings, per se.

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: An aluminium base alloy for production of casting alloys with magnesium as the most essential alloy element contains at least 50% scrap metal on primary aluminium base and as the remainder primary aluminium and/or scrap metal on secondary aluminium base of known composition. For production of the aluminium base alloy mainly foodstuff and animal feed packings are used, separated with a pyrolysis process and then the aluminium contained in the packing recycled by melting. The casting alloys produced from the aluminium base alloy are suitable in particular for production of heat-resistant and/or corrosion-resistant parts in the engine area, in particular for production of engine blocks, cylinder heads and oil sumps, by means of sand casting, chilled casting, diecasting, thixocasting or thixoforging.

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: 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: 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: 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 manufacturing process for an intermediate product made of a predetermined 7000 series alloy having a target content of at least one first anti-recrystallizing element Z1 selected from the group consisting of Zr and Cr. This process enables effective recycling of scrap, particularly machining scrap made of 7000 series alloys, in the manufacture of intermediated products with high added value.

Abstract: A salt flux composition comprising a high purity salt and additives is used in the recycle of scrap aluminum to increase the recovery of aluminum. The additives include an alkaline agent and a fluoride source.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing an aluminum alloy for automotive parts, comprising adding a scrap of an aluminum wrought alloy or a pure aluminum ingot to an aluminum alloy casting scrap, melting the mixture to dilute impurities, and if necessary, adjusting elements of the resultant. According to the above method, aluminum alloy casting scraps, which contain large amounts of impurities and have been difficult to recycle into other articles until now, can be converted to an aluminum alloy material that is applicable as a wrought material usable as a higher-grade material.

Abstract: An improved method of eliminating phosphorus and/or antimony from molten aluminum containing phosphorus and/or antimony is provided, including the step of adding magnesium or calcium to the molten aluminum maintained at a temperature of 650° to 850° C. while blowing chlorine gas or a chloride thereinto, to remove the phosphorus and/or the antimony contained in the molten aluminum.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for an intermediate product made of a predetermined 7000 series alloy having a target content of at least one first anti-recrystallizing element Z1 selected from the group consisting of Zr and Cr. The product is produced by the steps of: a) supplying machining scrap including at least one second 7000 series alloy having a target content of at least one second anti-recrystallizing element Z2 selected from the group consisting of Zr and Cr, in an amount greater than a maximum accepted content of Z2 in the predetermined alloy; b) conducting at least one refining step of said scrap to reduce the amount of Z2 to a value below the maximum accepted content of Z2 in the predetermined alloy; c) producing a batch of liquid metal having nominal composition, in part or in whole, from the refined scrap; and d) forming the product by casting the liquid metal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reclaiming contaminated scrap metal, more particularly an improved reverberatory furnace designed for melting scrap. The amount of hydrocarbons volatilized from the melting of contaminated scrap is measured and the fumes are passed into the main hearth for burning. As the amount of fuel value contained within the fumes increases, the amount of fuel provided to the burner is proportionally reduced while the amount of oxygen is kept constant. This will ensure that the amount of fuel and the amount of oxygen present within the furnace is completely burned without excessive free oxygen or unburned fuel building up within the furnace or furnace exhaust. The burner will be operating under lean fuel conditions or under fuel rich conditions such that the flame temperature is lower than at stoichiometric firing, whereby the burners create reduced NOx.

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: A salt flux composition comprising a high purity salt and additives is used in the recycle of scrap aluminum to increase the recovery of aluminum. The additives include an alkaline agent and a fluoride source.

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: 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 salt flux composition comprising a standard purity salt and additives is used in the recycle of scrap aluminum to increase the recovery of aluminum. The additives include a carbon source, an alkaline agent and a fluoride source.

Abstract: A method for recycling metal parts contaminated by radioactive elements, in particular by .alpha.-emitters, includes forming a melt and a slag from the metal parts and then separating the slag from the melt. The radioactive elements are oxidized prior to the formation of the melt and the slag. For that purpose, the contaminated metal parts are exposed to an oxygen-containing atmosphere for a period at a temperature below the melting temperature of the metal parts.

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: An inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump is located between one section of a metal-melting furnace and a second section to pump molten metal from the one section, wherein the molten metal is at a higher temperature, into the second section, wherein the molten metal is at a lower temperature, and its effluent is directed into contact with metal chips being charged into the second section, thereby assisting in the more rapid melting of the chips into the molten metal mass in the second section. The inert gas employed to actuate the molten metal pump is captured beneath a heat-resistant and flame-resistant cover located above the exit port of the pump and over a substantial portion of the molten metal mass in the second section, thereby providing a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of the molten metal mass or pool beneath said cover.

Abstract: To provide a method for taking out gas generators readily from waste vehicles and then recovering metallic materials of gas generators taken out efficiently. The method is comprised by a) crushing waste vehicles in which air bag apparatuses are installed by a crushing means so that the crushed pieces have approximately the same size as that of the gas generators themselves and the gas generators themselves can be separated from the air bag apparatuses as single bodies without being substantially crushed; b) taking the gas generators out of the crushed pieces of the waste vehicles; c) charging the gas generators thus taken out into a melting furnace; and d) recovering the metallic materials of the gas generator from the melting furnace.

Abstract: Aluminum scrap containing a carbon-containing coating is cleaned with about 212.degree. F. hot water, and then decarbonized with about 1000.degree. F. superheated steam which produces a carbon-containing volatile from the carbon-containing coating and a decarbonized aluminum scrap. A spent steam and carbon-containing volatile gaseous mixture at about 212.degree. F. is contacted with a warm water filtrate at a nominal temperature of about 132.degree. F., recovered from the process which causes the spent steam to condensed. The condensate at about 212.degree. F. is separated from the carbon-containing volatile and the latter combusted. The combustion products can be used to preheat indirectly other stream in the process or to dry the decarbonized aluminum scrap at a temperature low enough not to cause oxidation of the aluminum scrap.

Abstract: A continuous melting apparatus for a low melting point metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a melting furnace main body (5) forming a combustion chamber (6) surrounded by a refractory lining, a crucible (1) formed with a tapping orifice (2) at an appropriate position of a body and housed at the center portion of said combustion chamber, a burner (8) provided on a side wall portion of said melting furnace main body (5) for heating said crucible (1) in said combustion chamber (6) and a receptacle (6, 13) for receiving a melt flowing out through said tapping orifice (2) of said crucible (1). In the continuous melting apparatus, with employing a melting method of burner heating type which is inexpensive, easy to handle and maintenance, with successfully minimizing oxidation loss which was the shortcoming of the burner type. Also, generation of corundum on the furnace wall surface due to reaction of the aluminum melt and the furnace wall can be successfully avoided.

Abstract: An inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump is located in a metal-melting furnace to effect circulation of molten metal throughout the furnace. The inert gas employed to actuate the molten metal pump is captured beneath a heat-resistant and flame-resistant cover located above the exit port of the pump and over a substantial portion of the molten metal, thereby to prevent splashing, spattering, and disruption of a thin protective layer or skin of oxidized metal at the surface of the molten metal as well as to provide a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of the molten metal beneath said cover. In this manner and by this combination, the inert gas is employed most efficiently and economically.

Abstract: A method by which numerous gas generators from unused air-bags can be scrapped in an environmentally acceptable manner. The method consists ofa) heating the gas generator to actuate the generator to produce combustion gases and an actuated generator having water soluble contaminants thereon;b) washing the actuated generator with a water composition to remove the contaminants from the actuated generator to produce a washed generator and a contaminated water composition containing the contaminants;c) dividing the washed generator to produce divided generator parts;d) chemically treating the contaminated water composition to produce a purified water composition; ande) classifying the divided generator parts into classified generator parts.Optionally, the dividing step can occur before the washing step, or before and after the washing step. The classified generator parts and purified water can be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner.

Abstract: Continuous melting of lightweight shredded metal, e.g., in the recycling of aluminum can scrap is achieved by feeding lightweight scrap portions into a melting chamber through which a heated gas stream flows upwardly at a temperature in excess of the metal melting point and at such velocity that the scrap portions are borne in the flow within the chamber until they melt into denser droplets or globules which drop from the chamber and are collected in a holding furnace.

Abstract: Dross formation in the aluminum melting and/or refining is avoided partially or totally by the method of this invention. The method is useful in unmodified open top furnaces. The elimination or reduction of dross formation is carried out throughout the body of molten aluminum by the installation of gas injection devices to extend through the refractory lining in the bottom of the furnace. For longer life without clogging metal cased refractories of the directional porosity type are used for gas injection. Mixtures of inert and hydrocarbon gases are used with respective proportions chosen to match the design parameters of different types of furnaces. In operation the dross is eliminated by reactions of the injected gases with the impurities of the molten aluminum batch at its hottest temperatures in the body of the aluminum mass to thereby reduce dross generally caused by oxidation of the molten aluminum within the molten mass.

Abstract: A mass flow gravity feed furnace charger comprises a vertically-oriented elongated hollow conduit which is associated with an apertured heat-resistant charge-well cover adapted to lie essentially in contact with the upper surface of a molten metal pool in the charge well of a metal-melting furnace. Presized scrap metal charged into the conduit collects atop the surface of the molten metal pool, since the bottom opening of the conduit communicates with the charge-well cover aperture and permits the metal scrap to fall by gravity directly into the molten metal in the charge well. When the weight of the metal scrap column is sufficient to offset the resistance of the upper surface of the molten metal pool, the weight of the collected metal scrap gravitationally forces it into the molten metal mass where it melts and is assimilated.

Abstract: A method of recovering an aluminum-containing metal from a scrap material containing the metal and an organic contaminant, such as paper, plastics, lacquer, paint or oil. The method involves creating a fluidized bed of solid particles, maintaining a zone of the bed at a temperature in the range of the melting point of the metal to 1000.degree. C., introducing the scrap material into the fluidized zone to cause decoating of the metal within a time in the range of 1 to 40 seconds, at least partially melting the metal, and removing the metal material from the fluidized bed. In this way, decoating and at least partial melting is achieved essentially at the same time for improved efficiency. Metals of different melting point may also be separated from each other by providing a series of temperature zones in the fluidized bed (or in a series of fluidized beds) of progressively increasing temperature.

Abstract: A furnace (1) has a main holding (2) and a charging well (4) into which molten metal from the holding portion is circulated by means of an electromagnetic pump (7). Metal enters the well as a tangential flow and a stationary turbulator (10) is located in the path of the flow so as to upwardly and transversely deflect the flow. Resulting turbulence within the well enhances the rate of assimilation of solids into the melt without resulting in excessive oxidation. The method is suitable for melting aluminium swarf.