Apparatus and method for tapping a reactor containing a molten fluid

• US 5,690,888 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 11/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quantum Catalytics LLC
• Original Assignee: Molten Metal Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Robert, Edgar J.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASTLER, SCOTT R
• Application Number:
  US08/479,508
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 266/45, 266/236, 266/239, 222/590, 222/593, 222/592, 222/594
• US Class Current: 266/45
• CPC Class Codes: C21B 7/14 Discharging devices, e.g. for slag
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2003/0056 through a syphon in a vacuum chamber, e.g. involving aspiration or pressure on the bath
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/14 Charging or discharging liquid or molten material

Abstract

An apparatus and method for tapping a reactor containing a molten fluid are disclosed. A conduit extending from the reactor is heated to a temperature which causes fluid extracted from the reactor to remain molten while in the conduit. Molten fluid is removed from the reactor by reducing the pressure in a receiving vessel attached to the conduit. As the pressure is reduced in the receiving vessel, molten fluid flows out of the reactor and into and through the conduit, discharging into the receiving vessel. The flow of molten fluid can be terminated by repressurizing the receiving vessel, thereby directing molten fluid in the conduit back into the reactor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for tapping a reactor containing a molten fluid, comprising:

a) a straight conduit extending from the reactor at an acute angle measured from a horizontal surface of the molten fluid;

b) heating means at the conduit for heating the conduit to a temperature that causes fluid extracted from the reactor to remain molten while in the conduit;

c) a receiving vessel at said conduit;

d) pressure reducing means at the receiving vessel for reducing the pressure within said receiving vessel, whereby the molten fluid within the reactor is extracted from said reactor through the conduit and directed into the receiving vessel, thereby tapping the reactor; and

e) cooling means at a portion of said conduit most proximate to said reactor, whereby solidification and consequent accumulation of molten fluid within said conduit can be controlled by controlling said cooling means.

2. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for heating the conduit includes a plasma torch.

3. An apparatus of claim 2, wherein the conduit is connected to the reactor by a flanged coupling.

4. An apparatus of claim 3, wherein the conduit is formed of a refractory material.

5. An apparatus of claim 4, wherein the refractory material is a ceramic.

6. An apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one set of molds within the receiving vessel to contain the molten fluid emanating from the conduit.

7. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for heating the conduit includes means for regulating the temperature of the conduit.

8. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for reducing the pressure within the receiving vessel includes means for regulating the pressure within the receiving vessel.

9. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cooling means includes a cooling coil.

10. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for heating the conduit includes a non-transferred plasma arc.

11. An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for heating the conduit includes a transferred plasma arc.

12. A method for controlling a rate at which a molten fluid is discharged from a reactor, comprising the steps of:

a) heating a straight conduit, said conduit extending from the reactor at an acute angle measured from a horizontal surface of the molten fluid, to a temperature that causes at least a portion of fluid extracted from the reactor to remain molten while in the conduit;

b) creating a differential pressure between the reactor and a receiving vessel that is at the conduit, whereby extraction of said molten fluid from the reactor through the conduit into the receiving vessel is controlled by controlling heating of said conduit and controlling said differential pressure; and

cooling a portion of said conduit most proximate to said reactor, thereby further controlling extraction of said molten fluid from the reactor by controlling solidification of the molten fluid and consequent accumulation of material within said conduit.

13. A method for controlling a rate which a molten fluid is discharged from a reactor, comprising the steps of:

a) heating a straight conduit, said conduit extending from the reactor at an acute angle measured from a horizontal surface of the molten fluid, to a temperature that causes at least a portion of fluid extracted from the reactor to remain molten while in the conduit;

b) creating a differential pressure between the reactor and a receiving vessel that is at the conduit, whereby molten fluid is extracted from said reactor through the conduit and directed into the receiving vessel; and

c) cooling a portion of said conduit most proximate to said reactor, thereby controlling extraction of said molten fluid from the reactor by controlling solidification of the molten fluid and consequent accumulation of material within said conduit.