Molten metal containment structure having flow through ventilation

• US 20110140318A1
• Filed: 12/08/2010
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novelis Incorporated (Hindalco Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Novelis Incorporated (Hindalco Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Tingey, John Steven, Reeves, Eric W., Hymas, Jason D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,883,070 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 266/215
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 11/103 Distributing the molten metal, e.g. using runners, floats, distributors
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 35/04 into moulds, e.g. base plates, runners
• CPC Class Codes: C21B 7/14 Discharging devices, e.g. for slag
• CPC Class Codes: C21C 5/5294 General arrangement or layout of the electric melt shop
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/14 Charging or discharging liquid or molten material
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/20 Recycling

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a molten metal containment structure including a refractory molten metal containment vessel having an external surface, and a metal casing for the vessel having an internal surface at least partially surrounding the external surface of the vessel at a distance therefrom forming a spacing between the vessel and the casing. The spacing includes an unobstructed upwardly extending gap that is vented to the exterior of the structure by upper and lower openings in the casing. A layer of insulating material is preferably positioned in the spacing between the internal surface of the casing and the external surface of the vessel, with the layer of insulating material being narrower than the spacing at least at upwardly extending sides of the casing, thereby forming the unobstructed gap. The vessel may be a metal conveying trough, a housing for a metal filter, a container for a metal degasser unit, a crucible, or the like.

Claims

1. A molten metal containment structure comprising:

a refractory molten metal containment vessel having an external surface; and

a metal casing for the vessel having an internal surface at least partially surrounding the external surface of the vessel at a distance therefrom forming a spacing between the vessel and the casing;

wherein the spacing includes an unobstructed upwardly extending gap that is vented to the exterior of the structure by upper and lower openings in the casing.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein a layer of insulating material is positioned in the spacing between the internal surface of the casing and the external surface of the vessel, said layer of insulating material being narrower than the spacing at least at upwardly extending sides of the casing, thereby forming said unobstructed gap in the spacing.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the unobstructed gap is formed between said layer of insulating material and the internal surface of the metal casing.

4. The structure of claim 2, wherein the unobstructed gap is formed between said layer of insulating material and the external surface of the refractory vessel.

5. The structure of claim 2, wherein said unobstructed gap is formed on one side of the layer of insulation material, and a second gap is formed on another side of the layer of insulation material.

6. The structure of claim 5, wherein the second unobstructed gap communicates with lower and upper openings in the casing positioned to permit external air to enter and flow upwardly through the second unobstructed gap.

7. The structure of claim 2, wherein said layer of insulation material adjacent to a bottom of the casing is narrower than the spacing, said unobstructed gap thereby extending across said bottom of the casing as well as at said upward extending sides of the casing.

8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the casing has a bottom wall, side walls and a top, and wherein said upper and lower openings in the casing are formed in or adjacent to the top and the bottom wall of the casing.

9. The structure of claim 8, wherein the metal casing comprises separate metal plates forming the sides and bottom of the casing, said plates being positioned to create channels between said bottom wall and each of said side walls, said channels forming said lower openings.

10. The structure of claim 8, wherein said top of the casing has slots therein, said slots forming said upper openings.

11. The structure of claim 1, wherein the unobstructed gap and said openings are dimensioned to cause laminar flow of air through the gap.

12. The structure of claim 1, wherein the vessel is made of a ceramic material.

13. The structure of any claim 1, wherein said refractory vessel is an elongated molten metal conveying trough having an elongated channel extending from one longitudinal end of the trough to an opposite longitudinal end.

14. The structure of claim 1, wherein the vessel has a channel for conveying molten metal, said channel containing a metal filter.

15. The structure of claim 1, wherein the vessel has an interior volume for containing molten metal, and at least one metal degassing impeller extending into the interior volume.

16. The structure of claim 1, wherein the vessel is a crucible having an interior volume adapted for containing molten metal.