TREATMENT OF MOLTEN METAL BY INJECTION OF GAS

• US 3,689,048 A
• Filed: 03/05/1971
• Issued: 09/05/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jean Foulard, Jean Galey
• Original Assignee: Jean Foulard, Jean Galey
• Inventors: Foulard, Jean, Galey, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Gerald A. Dost
• Application Number:
  US05/121,501
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 75/76,93R,93E,59,96 164/66,67,259,335,337 266/34T,34PP
• US Class Current: 266/220
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 15/006 working up of molten copper, e.g. refining
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/05 Refining by treating with gases, e.g. gas flushing also refining by means of a material generating gas in situ
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/055 while the metal is circulating, e.g. combined with filtration

Abstract

Molten metal is treated by flowing gas through it. The container for the treatment is provided with a fore hearth, with a cover and with means for blowing the gas in fine bubbles into the metal. From the container the treated metal flows into a hopper provided with a cover having means for flushing the hopper with an inert gas.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the treatment of molten metal by injection of gas into said metal, comprising means defining a gas-treatment chamber having a bottom wall and side walls, a pouring box the inner volume of which is very substantially smaller than that of said chamber, said pouring box communicating with the gastreatment chamber for feeding molten metal to said chamber, a cover for said chamber, an outlet in the bottom wall of said chamber, means for closing and opening the outlet, the cover being gas-untight to permit the escape of gas from the gastreatment chamber, at least one gas-permeable, molten metal impervious, member in the bottom of said chamber, and means for supplying gas to said member for introduction into the molten metal in the form of fine bubbles.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and a hopper with which said outlet communicates to receive molten metal from said chamber, said hopper having a second outlet in its bottom, means for closing and for opening said second outlet, a second cover for said hopper, said second cover being gas-untight for the escape of gas from said hopper.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of gas-permeable members in the bottom wall of the gas-treatment chamber, said gas-permeable members being spaced apart by substantial areas of said bottom wall of the gas-treatment chamber, and means for supplying two chemically different gases respectively to two gas-permeable members.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a stopper for removably closing said outlet, said stopper extending up through said cover, the cover having clearance with the stopper for the escape of gas from the gas-treatment chamber.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and means for introducing inert gas under said cover.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, comprising a stopper for removably closing said second outlet, said second cover having an opening therethrough for said second stopper and having clearance with said stopper.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, and means for introducing inert gas under said second cover.