Abstract:
A device to generate and direct electric heat 10 for use over risers, drains, pathways and pour cups during solidification in which less than 2% plasma is utilized, comprising an outer shell 20 having one open heat delivery end 25, at least one lip 30 located at the open end 25, one closed end 35, at least one electric heating element 80 affixed within the closed 35 end and refractory material 60 surrounding the electric heating element 80. A method, employing said device 10, to improve the properties of cast alloys which comprises the heating and blanketing of a molten cast surface with an atmosphere of less than 2% plasma during solidification, said atmosphere of less than 2% plasma thereby controlling temperature during the solidification and shielding the molten cast surface from the affects of oxidation.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method, and apparatus for the recovery of precious metals. Accordingly, it provides a continuous process for obtaining a precious metal composition from a feedstock material, the process comprising the steps of : (i) heating a feedstock material in a plasma furnace to form an upper slag layer and a lower molten metal layer; (ii) removing the slag layer; (iii) removing the molten metal layer; (iv) allowing the removed molten metal layer to solidify; (v) fragmenting the solidified metal layer to form fragments; and (vi) recovering a precious metal composition from the fragments; wherein the feedstock material comprises a precious metal containing material and a collector metal, said collector metal being a metal or an alloy that is capable of forming a solid solution, an alloy or an intermetallic compound with one or more precious metals. This allows for high recovery yields of precious metals. The apparatus comprises a plasma furnace, a casting table enabling continuous casting of the molten metal pool to form a solidified sheet, a fragmentation device and a separation unit for recovering precious-metal-rich alloy from the sheet fragments.
Abstract:
A process for extraction of alumina from aluminum containing ores is disclosed. The process involves the following steps: determining the alumina and silica content in the ore; treating the ore with caustic, subjecting the reaction mass to electromagnetic radiation, leaching soluble intermediate product with water to separate insoluble red mud as residue and to obtain a filtrate containing aluminate, silicate and vanadate; separating silicate and other impurities as residue from the filtrate to obtain beneficiated aluminate liquor and extracting alumina from sodium aluminate by a conventional method.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft einen Elektroofen (1) mit einem Aufnahmeraum (2) für schmelzflüssiges Material (3), wobei mindestens eine Elektrode (4, 5) in den Aufnahmeraum (2) hineinragt und wobei Mittel (6) zur Einbringung von Stäuben in den Aufnahmeraum (2) vorhanden sind. Um eine verbesserte Zuführung des Staubs bei einer einfachen Verarbeitung desselben zu ermöglichen, sieht die Erfindung vor, dass die Mittel (6) zur Einbringung von Stäuben in den Aufnahmeraum (2) eine zumindest teilweise in Längsrichtung (L) der Elektrode (4, 5) verlaufende Bohrung (7) umfassen.
Abstract:
The invention can be used for the cement, chemical and metallurgical industries. The inventive plasma reactor-separator for simultaneously producing the melt of high-melting metal and non-metal materials and fumes comprises a longitudinal hollow partition (17) which is refrigerated from the inside thereof by a raw material and divides a chamber (1) into two equal parts. Said partition is provided with horizontal slit-type openings for material discharging and for additional kish (20) formation in the form of conical slopes on a heel of metal boundaries. Said reactor also comprises hollow stick electrodes (2, 3) whose lower ends are introduced into the melt. The partition (17) is provided with an arc hole which is arranged above the melt surface. Coils (11) make it possible to rotate the melt on a horizontal plane by means of electromagnetic forces for removing a solid raw material from under the electrode and for moving said material in the arcing area. Said invention makes it possible to substantially increase the operational reliability and service life of electrodes, to increase the reactor performance, improve a final product quality and to reduce energy consumption.
Abstract:
The invention can be used for the cement, chemical and metallurgical industries. The inventive plasma reactor-separator for simultaneously producing the melt of high-melting metal and non-metal materials and fumes comprises a longitudinal hollow partition (17) which is refrigerated from the inside thereof by a raw material and divides a chamber (1) into two equal parts. Said partition is provided with horizontal slit-type openings for material discharging and for additional kish (20) formation in the form of conical slopes on a heel of metal boundaries. Said reactor also comprises hollow stick electrodes (2, 3) whose lower ends are introduced into the melt. The partition (17) is provided with an arc hole which is arranged above the melt surface. Coils (11) make it possible to rotate the melt on a horizontal plane by means of electromagnetic forces for removing a solid raw material from under the electrode and for moving said material in the arcing area. Said invention makes it possible to substantially increase the operational reliability and service life of electrodes, to increase the reactor performance, improve a final product quality and to reduce energy consumption.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for optimized mixing in a common hearth in a plasma furnace. The apparatus provides a main hearth, a plurality of optional refining hearths, and a plurality of casting molds or direct molds whereby the refining hearths and molds define at least two separate ingot making lines. A feed chute provides raw material to the main hearth, whereby the feed chute is moveable to optimize its position during operation of the main hearth. Most particularly, the feed chute is moveable to provide better mixing, minimize skull build-up, and optimally place it opposite the overflow in use.
Abstract:
A system, for melting metal and holding molten metal at pre-selected temperatures, comprises a rectifier unit (12) receiving AC electric power (16) and outputting DC electric power, a plurality of inverter units (14), each receiving the DC electric power output from the rectifier unit (12) and outputting AC electric power; and a plurality of induction furnaces (20) each receiving the AC electric power output from a respective inverter unit (14). Each inverter unit (14) comprises a plurality of inverter modules (24) connected in parallel or other suitable configuration; each module (24) independently being connectable to and disconnectable from the rectifier unit and the furnace. The rectifier unit (12) comprises a plurality of rectifier modules (22) connected in parallel or other suitable configuration, each module independently being connectable to and disconnectable from the AC supply and the inverter units (14). Generally, the total power output of the rectifier unit (12) is greater than the sum of electric power required by the total of all of the furnaces (20) if they are all holding a charge of molten metal at a pre-selected temperature, but less than the sum of the maximum power consumption required by the total of all of the furnaces (20) if they are all melting a charge of metal. If the total power demand is greater than the rectifier unit (12) can supply, the power to those furnaces (20) receiving more than the holding power supply is reduced.
Abstract:
A method for refining a titanium metal containing ore such as rutile or illmenite or mixtures to produce titanium ingots or titanium alloys and compounds of titanium involves production of titanium tetrachloride as a molten slag, by processing the ore in a chlorination procedure and removing various impurities by a distillation or other procedure to form a relatively pure titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4). Thereafter, the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the plasma focal point of a plasma reactor in a molten sodium environment for the initial reduction of gas phase titanium into titanium molten drops which are collected by a set of skulls. Thereafter, further processing are carried out in higher vacuum and the titanium is heated by electron beam guns in order to maximize titanium purity and, in a final optional stage, alloying compounds are added under yet higher vacuum and high temperature conditions.