Abstract:
The refining hearth (70) comprises an open vessel defining a first deep zone (78) having a predetermined depth, a second deep zone (82) having a predetermined depth, and a shallow zone (80) intermediate the first deep zone (78) and the second deep zone (82), wherein the shallow zone (80) has a predetermined depth less than that of the first deep zone (78) and less than that of the second deep zone (80). A furnace for refining metal is also disclosed which employs a similarly constructed hearth (70). A method of refining metal is also disclosed. The method includes depositing molten metal in a first deep pool (78), passing the molten metal through a shallow pool (80) having a depth less than the depth of the first deep pool (78), directing an energy source (22b) at the molten metal, and passing the molten metal into a second deep pool (82) having a depth greater than the depth of the shallow pool (80).
Abstract:
A magnet for increasing a yield attained during a process in which, when separating metals from scraps occurring during a rare earth magnet production process, alloy materials for rare earth magnet are melt-refined so as to positively separate oxides and then subjected to a secondary melting by using a vacuum high-frequency induction melting furnace; wherein part or all of the scraps (3) are charged into an insulated (2) water-cooled crucible (1) or a refractory crucible (7, 21, 22) and subjected to twin plasma arc (10A, 10b) melting and tungsten arc or migration arc (15) melting.
Abstract:
Apparatus for a metal reduction and melting process is disclosed, in which a metal and carbon containing burden (15) is heated in an induction furnace (10) comprising a heating vessel (11) in which the burden (15) can float in at least one heap (16, 17) on a liquid metal bath (18) in the vessel (11), characterised in that the apparatus includes at least one induction heater or inductor (12) which is located at the bottom centre line (11.1) of the vessel (11) and of which the longitudinal access is oriented perpendicular to the access of the vessel.
Abstract:
Described is a method for producing high purity tantalum, the high purity tantalum so produced and sputtering targets of high purity tantalum. The method involves purifying starting materials followed by subsequent refining into high purity tantalum.
Abstract:
A method for production of black copper comprises an oxidation step (210) and a reduction step (260). The oxidation (210) comprises melting and agitation of an initial material comprising at least Cu, Fe and S and flux into an initial molten slag. An oxidation agent is added. An oxygen potential in the range of 10°- 10 -3 Pa is achieved. A submerged oxidation plasma generator and/or a submerged burner is used for these purposes. S is removed from the initial molten slag. The metallic phase is settled and an intermediate molten slag is formed. The reduction (260) comprises heating and agitation of the intermediate molten slag. An oxygen potential in the range of 10 -5 - 10 -7 Pa is achieved. A submerged reduction plasma generator is used for these purposes. CU 2 O is reduced, metallic Cu is settled in a liquid black copper phase and a final molten slag is formed.