Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a camera probe having an elongated housing provided with an external wall made of heat-resistant material enclosing an internal space. The housing has a forward opening covered by a window of heat-resistant radiation-transparent material and a position within the internal space for mounting a camera positioned to receive radiation from the window. At least one cooling channel is provided within or adjacent to the external wall, at least over a part of the external wall exposed to elevated temperatures during use of the probe. At least one gas exit port is provided adjacent the window and is oriented to cause gas leaving the gas exit port to sweep over an external surface of the window to keep it cool and free of debris.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to fluid spraying apparatuses, and related systems and methods. The disclosed fluid spraying apparatuses may be used, for example, to spray a medically suitable fluid on a target region of a subject, such as for treating or removing tissue of the subject. In an embodiment, a fluid spraying apparatus includes a spray mechanism including at least one reservoir, and a spraying device operably coupled to the at least one reservoir which has an adjustable spray nozzle. The fluid spraying apparatus includes a distance sensor configured to sense information at least related to a distance to a target region of a subject and output one or more signals encoding the information, and control electrical circuitry operably coupled to the spray mechanism and the distance sensor. The control electrical circuitry is configured to activate the spray mechanism responsive to receiving the one or more signals.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for inerting the surface of a metal charge in an induction furnace. The process generally involves use of a porous plug positioned near the surface of the metal charge. Argon (or other blanket gases) is flushed through the porous plug to back fill the volume of the induction furnace above the metal charge with an inert gas.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods are described herein that provide an effective inert blanket over a metal surface (hot solid (charge) metal or molten metal) in a container such as an induction furnace. The system includes a container of metal and a system configured to delivery biphasic inert cryogen toward the metal. The delivery system may include a lance disposed at the top of the container. The lance has a hood that directs both a flow of liquid cryogen and a flow of vaporous gas toward the metal surface. The liquid cryogen contacts the metal surface, generating a volume of expanding gas over the metal surface. The vaporous cryogen creates a reinforcing vapor that slows the expansion rate of the expanding gas, localizing the expanding gas over the metal surface.

Abstract: An alloy material with a constant electrical resistivity in a wide temperature range comprises the following chemical formula: AlvCowCrxFeyNiz, wherein v is in the range of 1.9 to 2.1, w is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1, x is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1, y is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1, and z is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1. A method for producing the alloy material comprises the steps of: providing raw metal materials and mixing them according to the molar ratio of the prescription of the alloy materials; disposing the mixed raw metal to materials into a furnace and homogeneously smelting each of the raw metal materials under a protective Ar atmospheric environment; cooling and solidifying the smelted raw metal materials in order to obtain the alloy; and deforming and/or shaping the solidified alloy to predefined figures and dimensions.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices having an integrated purging gas delivery system are described, and such devices can be used to remove dissolved gasses and impurities from molten metals.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for inerting the surface of a metal charge in an induction furnace. The process generally involves use of a porous plug positioned near the surface of the metal charge. Argon (or other blanket gases) is flushed through the porous plug to back fill the volume of the induction furnace above the metal charge with an inert gas.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods are described herein that provide an effective inert blanket over a metal surface (hot solid (charge) metal or molten metal) in a container such as an induction furnace. The system includes a container of metal and a system configured to delivery biphasic inert cryogen toward the metal. The delivery system may include a lance disposed at the top of the container. The lance has a hood that directs both a flow of liquid cryogen and a flow of vaporous gas toward the metal surface. The liquid cryogen contacts the metal surface, generating a volume of expanding gas over the metal surface, The vaporous cryogen creates a reinforcing vapor that slows the expansion rate of the expanding gas, localizing the expanding gas over the metal surface.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods are described herein that provide an effective inert blanket over a metal surface (hot solid (charge) metal or molten metal) in a container such as an induction furnace. The system includes a container of metal and a system configured to delivery biphasic inert cryogen toward the metal. The delivery system may include a lance disposed at the top of the container. The lance has a hood that directs both a flow of liquid cryogen and a flow of vaporous gas toward the metal surface. The liquid cryogen contacts the metal surface, generating a volume of expanding gas over the metal surface. The vaporous cryogen creates a reinforcing vapor that slows the expansion rate of the expanding gas, localizing the expanding gas over the metal surface.

Abstract: The invention relates in particular to a method for the recovery of at least one non-ferrous metal (11) contained in scrap (9), by melting the scrap (9) in a furnace (1), the method comprising: a step of charging the furnace (1) with scrap (9), a step of melting the scrap (9) in order to separate the at least one non-ferrous metal (11) from other components (13) which the scrap (9) comprises. The method is noteworthy in that it comprises a step of adding a silica-comprising product (15) in an amount which is sufficient to form an airtight layer on the surface of the scrap (9).

Abstract: A molten metal treatment consisting of a liquid mixture in which fluorinated ketone is dissolved in liquid carbon dioxide at 0.01 to 10 wt % is put in a container, and the molten metal treatment is vaporized, and is fed as a cover gas to be contacted with the surface of a molten metal.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods are described herein that provide an effective inert blanket over a metal surface (hot solid (charge) metal or molten metal) in a container such as an induction furnace. The system includes a container of metal and a system configured to delivery biphasic inert cryogen toward the metal. The delivery system may include a lance disposed at the top of the container. The lance has a hood that directs both a flow of liquid cryogen and a flow of vaporous gas toward the metal surface. The liquid cryogen contacts the metal surface, generating a volume of expanding gas over the metal surface. The vaporous cryogen creates a reinforcing vapor that slows the expansion rate of the expanding gas, localizing the expanding gas over the metal surface.

Abstract: A molten metal treatment consisting of a liquid mixture in which fluorinated ketone is dissolved in liquid carbon dioxide at 0.01 to 10 wt % is put in a container, and the molten metal treatment is vaporized, and is fed as a cover gas to be contacted with the surface of a molten metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a foamed slag (1) on a metal bath (2) in a metallurgical furnace (3). According to said method, a mixture (4) containing at least one metal oxide and carbon is introduced into the furnace (3), the metal oxide is reduced by means of the carbon below the slag (1) that is located there, and the gases produced during the reduction process form bubbles such that the slag is foamed. In order to optimize the formation of foamed slag, the mixture (4) is delivered into the furnace (3) in such a way that a desired height (h) or a desired section of the height (h) of the layer of foamed slag (1) is generated or maintained.

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods are described herein that provide an effective inert blanket over a metal surface (hot solid (charge) metal or molten metal) in a container such as an induction furnace. The system includes a container of metal and a system configured to delivery biphasic inert cryogen toward the metal. The delivery system may include a lance disposed at the top of the container. The lance has a hood that directs both a flow of liquid cryogen and a flow of vaporous gas toward the metal surface. The liquid cryogen contacts the metal surface, generating a volume of expanding gas over the metal surface. The vaporous cryogen creates a reinforcing vapor that slows the expansion rate of the expanding gas, localizing the expanding gas over the metal surface.

Abstract: A cover gas composition for protecting molten magnesium/magnesium alloy includes a fluorine containing inhibiting agent and a carrier gas. Each component of the composition has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) (referenced to the absolute GWP for carbon dioxide at a time horizon of 100 years) of less than 5000.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for generating pollution credits while processing molten magnesium, aluminum, lithium, and alloys of such metals by contacting the molten metal or alloy with a gaseous mixture comprising a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of perfluoroketones, hydrofluoroketones, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided by which rice hull ash is pelletized for use in steelmaking. The rice hull ash is blended with lime or dolime, and also with a mixture of water and molasses. This generates heat as the lime and water react to form lime hydroxide, a known binder. The heat thus generated reduces the energy required for drying the pellets.

Abstract: A method for preventing oxidation of molten aluminum alloy and magnesium alloy surfaces, the method comprising providing a molten aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy having a molten aluminum or magnesium alloy surface; covering the molten aluminum or magnesium alloy surface with an initial layer of petroleum coke, the initial layer of petroleum coke having an initial layer thickness of about 0.75 inches; oxidizing a portion of the initial layer of petroleum coke to form a working layer of petroleum coke covering the molten metal surface, the working layer of coke having a working layer thickness of about 0.5 inches, and a layer of carbon dioxide immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the working layer of petroleum coke; and adding additional petroleum coke to the working layer of petroleum coke to maintain the working layer thickness at about 0.5 inches.

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: 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: This invention relates to a method for generating pollution credits while processing molten magnesium, aluminum, lithium, and alloys of such metals by contacting the molten metal or alloy with a gaseous mixture comprising a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of perfluoroketones, hydrofluoroketones, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for protecting a non-ferrous liquid metal from oxidation and from firing in a machine processing this metal or its alloys, consisting of disposing a gaseous mixture containing carbon dioxide at the surface of the non-ferrous metal. According to this process, the gaseous mixture is prepared by adding to the carbon dioxide an oxidising gas, argon and xenon only, this gaseous mixture having properties ensuring protection from the ambient atmosphere, and the proportion of carbon dioxide in this gaseous mixture ranging from 50% to 90% by volume.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficient utilization of a cryogen in inerting of solid and molten metals are presented. One method and apparatus of the invention includes providing a source of liquid cryogen; transporting the liquid cryogen through a conduit connected to the source of liquid cryogen to a gas/liquid separator, wherein a portion of the liquid cryogen transforms into gaseous cryogen en route; transporting a portion of the liquid cryogen through a first conduit connecting the gas/liquid separator to a cryogen supply nozzle; transporting the gaseous cryogen through a second conduit connecting the gas/liquid separator to a cryogen supply nozzle; and flowing at least a portion of liquid cryogen and at least a portion of the gaseous cryogen through the cryogen nozzle separately and near a surface of solid or molten metal. Thus liquid that transforms into gaseous cryogen en route from storage is not vented and not wasted, but used in inerting of solid or molten metals.

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 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 method of protecting copper and copper alloys from surface oxidation on an upper melted surface while melting copper and/or copper alloys, such as bronze, using a granular carbon sand layer thereover, such as the carbon sands disclosed in this assignee's U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,215,143 and/or 5,094,289.

Abstract: Tungsten carbide cobalt and tungsten-containing materials are recycled using a single high-temperature oxidation with standard dilution chemistry. The scrap material is ground, oxidized, and subjected to an acid digestion, preferably in hydrochloric acid. This causes the cobalt to form cobalt chloride while the tungsten remains insoluble. The pH is then increased to about 7.0 which causes the cobalt chloride to form cobalt hydroxide which precipitates out of solution. The cobalt and tungsten are separated and dissolved in a high-pH ammonia solution which can then be spray dried to form a precursor powder for subsequent carburization to form tungsten carbide-cobalt powders.

Abstract: A method of heating a melt containing an oxidizable substance in which a fuel is burned with an oxidant by projecting fuel oxidant jets over the melt. The fuel and the oxidant jets have a fuel jet momentum and an oxidant jet momentum, respectively. The oxidant jet produces a top oxidation layer on the top surface of the melt and such top oxidation layer has a thickness. The oxidant jet momentum is adjusted to be below a threshold momentum at which the top oxidation layer is forces aside by the oxidant jet to expose fresh melt that potentially can be oxidized and can increase the thickness of the top oxidation layer. The fuel-jet momentum is adjusted so that it is greater than the oxidant jet momentum to draw the oxidant jet towards the fuel jet and thereby forms a desired combustible mixture in a mixing layer.

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 process for casting high oxygen affinity metals or metal alloys such as titanium through use of an induction furnace while preventing the pick up of contaminating gas by the metals or metal alloys during melting. An inert shielding gas such as nitrogen or argon or carbon dioxide is introduced as a liquid in a closed environment above the metal or metal alloys being melted such that there is preferably no more than approximately 1% contaminating gas in the gaseous environment proximate the surface of the molten metal or metal alloy. Simultaneously, the mold placed under the induction furnace is purged with a similar or different inert gas.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dispersing cryogenic inert gases over the surface of a bath of molten metal by separating vaporized cryogenic gas from the liquid phase of the gas and introducing the liquid phase and the gaseous phase onto the surface of the molten metal in a swirling pattern. Additional inert gas can be introduced into the middle of the liquid phase.

Abstract: It is proposed, in the case of at least one transport and discharge runner installed at a tapping orifice of the metallurgical furnace and a transfer station having a swivel or tilting runner in which the molten metal flows from the discharge runner by way of a distribution system into the outlet openings from which it flows into a preferably movable casting vessel, to cover the discharge runners conveying the molten metal from the tapping orifice of the metallurgical furnace with cover hoods, to screen off the transfer station in a substantially gastight manner, to sweep these interiors with inert gas and in addition to screen off the molten metal discharge stream from the outlet opening to the casting vessel by means of a pressurized inert gas covering which prevents air access and is substantally annular in cross-section. By these means, fume production is effectively avoided.

Abstract: Utilization of metal chips, especially scrap metal chips, particularly brass and aluminum, by introduction of the metal chips into a pool of molten metal of which they are formed or an alloy thereof, with minimization of fuel cost, heat loss, and minimal conversion of the metal at the surface of the molten metal pool to metal oxide, as well as an increase in the yield of utilizable metal from the remelting or recycling operation, by maintaining a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of the molten metal pool and optionally utilizing vaporized residual impurities from chips being recycled such as oil, lacquer, or similar vaporizable impurity to assist in maintaining the non-oxidizing atmosphere, thereby permitting elimination of impurity-removal steps previously required for preparation of the chips for recycling by introduction into such a molten metal pool, and thereby also conveniently and simultaneously substantially reducing environmental pollution from vaporizable contaminants, fumes, and decomposition

Abstract: The disclosure is made for the use of a hearth for receiving metals to be melted and exposing the molten metals to the furnace atmosphere with the upper surface of the molten metal free to float impurities such as oxides, carbides, or other undesirable materials on the upper surface of the molten metal or alloy. Gas jets blow an inert gas in one direction over the upper surface of the molten metal, generally parallel to the upper surface of the molten alloy. Thus, the gas jets remove impurities from the upper surface of the molten alloy by blowing or skimming the impurities off the top of the pool toward the walls of the hearth. The preferred position of the gas jets is in the notch of the hearth over which the molten alloy flows from the main body of the hearth into a withdrawal crucible.

Abstract: Foundry furnace particularly for light non-ferrous metal, such as zinc or aluminum, including a longitudinal chamber (4, 8, 11, 12) made of a heat-resistant material, including close to one end an inlet for scrap (18) and/or bars (5), a slag outlet (5,6), an outlet flow passage (13) including a dispensing opening (14) at the other end, and heating elements for melting the metal, including direct radiating resistance elements (3, 3') in the cover of the chamber (4, 12) and vertically free moving dip-elements (9) extending downwardly from the cover of the chamber (8) for flowing on and into the melt metal in the chamber (8). According to the invention the height of the outlet flow passage is around 1/3-2/3 of the height of the chamber (8, 12), and the active part (7) of the dip-elements in the vertical direction at most equals the distance of the bottom (16) of the outlet flow passage (13) from the bottom (17) of the chamber.

Abstract: An insulating blanket is provided for dispensing an insulating particulate material onto the surface of a molten metal. This blanket comprises a bag containing the insulating particulate material, the bag having flattening means such that when the bag is filled with the particulate material, it maintains a substantially flat shape. The bag is formed of a material which will disintegrate upon contact with the molten metal, thereby allowing the particulate material to spread over the surface thereof.

Abstract: The process for production of lead from lead sulphide ores involves leaching the ores with a ferric chloride solution, at a temperature from about 70.degree. C. to 105.degree. C., at a pH of from about 4.0 to 0.5, recovering the lead by cementation with metallic zinc, recovering the resultant zinc chloride by solvent extraction, and electrowinning zinc metal from the zinc chloride solution. Chlorine is also electrolytically produced for regenerating ferric chloride for the leaching step.