Monolithic jet column reactor pump

• US 5,863,314 A
• Filed: 10/16/1996
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alphatech, Inc. (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: Alphatech, Inc. (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Morando, Jorge A.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASTLER, SCOTT R
• Application Number:
  US08/733,078
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 75/706, 75/708, 266/228, 266/227
• US Class Current: 75/708
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/45 Mixing in metallurgical processes of ferrous or non-ferrous materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23121 having injection means, e.g. nozzles with circumferential outlet
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/312 with Venturi elements; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/31243 Eductor or eductor-type venturi, i.e. the main flow being injected through the venturi with high speed in the form of a jet
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 2/00342 Moving elements, e.g. pumps or mixers
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2003/0054 Means to move molten metal, e.g. electromagnetic pump
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 27/00 Stirring devices for molten material F27D3/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 27/005 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/14 Charging or discharging liquid or molten material
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/1572 by suction
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 3/16 Introducing a fluid jet or current into the charge porous elements for gas flushing of molten metals B22D1/005

Abstract

A jet column reactor apparatus for moving molten metal in a bath of such metal is formed with a monolithic refractory body.

Claims

1. In a metal treating apparatus having a pot for holding a bath of molten metal, transfer means for moving the molten metal in the pot, including a molten metal-lifting passage having a molten metal inlet opening disposed in the pot for receiving molten metal therein;

the metal-lifting passage having a molten metal outlet opening for discharging molten metal received in the inlet opening to a location above the inlet opening;

the metal-lifting passage having a gas-receiving opening below the molten metal outlet opening;

gas passage means for connecting a source of the gas to the gas receiving opening in the metal-lifting passage such that the gas passes along the metal-lifting passage to induce a flow of metal from the molten metal inlet opening towards the molten metal outlet opening, the improvement comprising;

a monolithic cast refractory block having a planar bottom portion, a top portion, and side portions extending between the top and bottom portions, said molten metal-lifting passage having an inlet opening extending into the monolithic cast refractory block from one of the side portions proximate to the bottom portion, and an outlet opening extending from within the monolithic cast refractory block through one of the side portions proximate to the top portion, the inlet opening and the outlet opening being joined by a metal-lifting passage extending within the monolithic cast refractory block.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1, including a ceramic liner disposed in the metal-lifting passage.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 1, in which the metal-lifting passage has a generally S-shaped configuration from the lower inlet opening to the upper outlet opening, and the lower inlet opening is disposed on the opposite side of the block as the outlet opening.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 1, in which the metal-lifting passage has a generally C-shaped opening whereby the molten metal inlet opening and the metal outlet opening are disposed on the same side of the block.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 1, in which the molten metal inlet opening and the molten metal outlet opening face in different directions.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 1, in which the gas passage means includes a gas-receiving conduit, and a plurality of gas openings connecting the gas-receiving conduit with the metal-lifting passage to provide a gas jet creating a cascade of very small rising bubbles for raising the molten metal in the metal-lifting passage.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 1, in which the metal-lifting passage has an elliptical cross-section.

8. The improvement as defined in claim 1, in which the metal-lifting passage has a convergent/divergent nozzle between the inlet opening and the outlet opening to suppress the enlargement of bubbles formed in the gas passing along the metal-lifting passage.

9. The improvement as defined in claim 1, in which the metal-lifting passage is elongated and the gas is introduced in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the metal-lifting passage.

10. The improvement as defined in claim 1, in which the gas passage means includes a plurality of spaced gas orifices disposed about the metal-lifting passage.

11. The improvement as defined in claim 1, including a gas recovery passage having an inlet opening adjacent the outlet opening of the metal-lifting passage for passing gas removed from the molten metal.

29. The improvement as defined in claim 1, in which the pot has a trough beneath the block for collecting bottom dross.

30. The improvement as defined in claim 1, in which the gas passage means includes a plurality of spaced gas orifices disposed about the metal-lifting passage, and in which each orifice has an orifice opening for passing gas into the metal-lifting passage, each orifice opening being smaller in size than the metal-lifting passage.

31. The improvement as defined in claim 1, including a ceramic liner disposed in the metal-lifting passage;

and

in which the molten metal inlet opening and the molten metal outlet opening face in different directions.

32. The improvement as defined in claim 1, including a ceramic liner disposed in the metal-lifting passage;

and

in which the metal-lifting passage has a generally S-shaped configuration from the lower inlet opening to the upper outlet opening, and the lower inlet opening is disposed on the opposite side of the block as the outlet opening.

33. The improvement as defined in claim 1, including a ceramic liner disposed in the metal-lifting passage;

and

in which the metal-lifting passage has a generally C-shaped opening whereby the molten metal inlet opening and the molten metal outlet opening are disposed on the same side of the block.

12. In a metal treating apparatus having a pot for holding a bath of molten metal, transfer means for moving the molten metal in the pot, including a molten metal-lifting passage having a molten metal inlet opening disposed in the pot for receiving molten metal therein;

the metal-lifting passage having a molten metal outlet opening for discharging molten metal received in the inlet opening to a location above the inlet opening;

the metal-lifting passage having a gas-receiving opening below the molten metal outlet opening;

gas passage means for connecting a source of the gas to the gas receiving opening in the metal-lifting passage such that the gas passes along the metal-lifting passage to induce a flow of metal from the molten metal inlet opening towards the molten metal outlet opening, the improvement comprising;

the refractory block being formed by making a pattern of the metal-lifting passage and the gas passage means, placing the pattern in a refractory-receiving box, filling the box to a depth sufficient to cover the pattern with a castable refractory mix, melting the pattern to form the metal-lifting passage and the gas passage means, and then heating the refractory in a kiln to form a heat resistant casting.

34. The improvement as defined in claim 12, and in which the pattern is formed of a wax material.

13. In a metal treating apparatus having a pot for holding a bath of molten metal, transfer means for moving the molten metal in the pot, including a molten metal-lifting passage having a molten metal inlet opening disposed in the pot for receiving molten metal therein;

the metal-lifting passage having a molten metal outlet opening for discharging molten metal received in the inlet opening to a location above the inlet opening;

the metal-lifting passage having a gas-receiving opening below the molten metal outlet opening;

gas passage means for connecting a source of the gas to the gas receiving opening in the metal-lifting passage such that the gas passes along the metal-lifting passage to induce a flow of metal from the molten metal inlet opening towards the molten metal outlet opening, the improvement comprising;

the cast refractory block being formed by making a thin walled ceramic pattern of the metal-lifting passage and the gas passage means, placing the pattern in a refractory receiving box;

filling the box to a depth sufficient to cover the pattern with a castable refractory mix; and

then heating the refractory in a kiln to form a heat resistant casting.

14. A jet gas reactor device for moving molten metal in a pot of such metal comprising a cast refractory block having a metal-moving passage with a molten metal inlet opening, a molten metal outlet opening, and a convergent/-divergent nozzle between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, the metal-moving passage having a gas-receiving opening between the inlet opening and the convergent/divergent nozzle, and a gas passage means for connecting a source of a pressurized gas to the gas-receiving opening in the metal-moving passage such that the gas passes through the convergent/divergent nozzle to induce a low of molten metal from the molten metal inlet opening toward the molten metal outlet opening.

35. A gas jet reactor device as defined in claim 14, in which the gas passage means is operative to discharge the gas into the metal-moving passage to degas molten metal disposed in the metal-moving passage.

15. In a furnace having a pot holding a bath of molten metal:

a first cast refractory pump having a molten metal inlet opening disposed in the pot for receiving molten metal therein, a molten metal transfer passage having a molten metal outlet opening for discharging the molten metal received in the inlet opening, gas passage means for connecting a source of a gas to the metal transfer passage such that the gas passes along the molten metal transfer passage to induce a flow of metal from the molten metal inlet opening towards the molten metal outlet opening;

a second cast refractory pump having a molten metal transfer passage with a molten metal inlet opening disposed in the pot for receiving molten metal therein, the molten metal transfer passage having a molten metal outlet opening for discharging molten metal received in the inlet opening, gas passage means for connecting a source of a gas to the molten metal transfer passage such that the gas passes along the molten metal transfer passage to induce a flow of metal from the molten metal inlet opening towards the molten metal outlet opening;

each of the cast refractory pumps comprising a monolithic cast refractory block having a planar bottom portion, a top portion, and side portions extending between the top and bottom portions, said molten metal-lifting passage having an inlet opening extending into the monolithic cast refractory block from one of the side portions proximate to the bottom portion, and an outlet opening extending from within the monolithic cast refractory block through one of the side portions proximate to the top portion, the inlet opening and the outlet opening being joined by a metal-lifting passage extending within the monolithic cast refractory block; and

the second cast refractory pump being spaced from the first refractory pump in the pot whereby the two cast refractory pumps cooperate in circulating the molten metal in the pot.

16. In a molten metal treating apparatus including a pot for holding a bath of molten metal, transfer means for moving the molten metal in the pot, including a molten metal transfer passage having a molten metal inlet opening disposed in the pot for receiving molten metal therein, the metal transfer passage having a molten metal outlet opening for discharging the molten metal received in the inlet opening, gas passage means for connecting a source of a gas to the molten metal transfer passage, such that the gas passes toward the outlet opening to induce a flow of metal from the molten metal inlet opening toward the molten metal outlet opening, the improvement comprising:

the gas passage means including a gas ejector nozzle for impinging gas into molten metal in the molten metal transfer passage to move the molten-metal from the inlet opening toward the outlet opening.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, including a convergent/divergent nozzle disposed in the metal transfer passage between the gas ejector nozzle and the metal outlet opening.

17. A monolithic cast refractory block having a planar bottom portion, a top portion, and side portions extending between the top and bottom portions, an inlet opening extending into the monolithic cast refractory block from one of the side portions proximate to the bottom portion, and an outlet opening extending from within the monolithic cast refractory block through one of the side portions proximate to the top portion, the inlet opening and the outlet opening being joined by a metal-transfer passage extending within the monolithic cast refractory block;

gas passage means for connecting a source of a gas to the metal transfer passage such that the gas passes toward the outlet opening to induce a flow of metal from the metal inlet opening toward the metal outlet opening;

the metal transfer passage having a convergent/divergent nozzle for passing molten metal, and

the gas passage means including a gas ejector nozzle for impinging gas upon the molten metal to move the metal toward the convergent/divergent nozzle and the outlet opening.

24. The improvement as defined in claim 17, in which the block is cast with gas passages to discharge the gas into the metal transfer passage so as to de-gas the molten metal as the metal is transferred along the metal transfer passage.

26. A block as defined in claim 17, in which the block is disposed to receive metal through an upright inlet opening that is disposed above the injector nozzle.

27. A block as defined in claim 17, in which the gas metal transfer inlet opening is disposed beneath the injector nozzle whereby the molten metal is drawn upwardly toward the injector nozzle as the gas impinges upon the molten metal to induce a flow toward the metal transfer passage outlet opening.

18. A method for conveying molten metal from a first location to a second location in a molten metal pool, comprising the steps of:

providing an elongated metal transfer conduit having a molten metal inlet opening and a molten metal outlet opening;

providing a gas feed means, and connecting the gas feed means to the metal transfer conduit to induce a flow of molten metal along an axis of metal movement in the metal transfer conduit by means of the gas passing from the gas feed means into the metal transfer conduit; and

delivering the gas from the gas feed means through an opening in the metal transfer conduit located along said axis into molten metal in the metal transfer conduit.

28. A method as defined in claim 18, including reducing the pressure downstream of the gas feed means so as to inhibit the enlargement of gas bubbles as they progress from the gas feed means with the molten metal toward the metal transfer passage outlet opening.

36. A method as defined in claim 18, including the step of reducing the pressure downstream of the gas feed means to inhibit the enlargement of gas bubbles as they progress from the gas feed means with the molten metal toward the molten metal outlet opening.

19. In a container for holding a liquid, transfer means for moving the liquid in the container, including a liquid-moving passage having a liquid inlet opening disposed in the container for receiving liquid therein;

the liquid-moving passage having a liquid outlet opening for discharging liquid received in the inlet opening;

the liquid-moving passage having a gas-receiving opening;

gas passage means for connecting a source of the gas to the gas-receiving opening in the liquid moving passage such that the gas passes along the liquid-moving passage to induce a flow of liquid from the liquid inlet opening towards the liquid outlet opening, the improvement comprising;

the transfer means comprising a monolithic cast refractory block having a planar bottom portion, a top portion, and side portions extending between the top and bottom portions, said liquid-moving passage having an inlet opening extending into the monolithic cast refractory block from one of the side portions proximate to the bottom portion, and an outlet opening extending from within the monolithic cast refractory block through one of the side portions proximate to the top portion, the inlet opening and the outlet opening being joined by the liquid-moving passage extending within the monolithic cast refractory block.

20. An apparatus including a container for holding a bath of a liquid, transfer means for moving the liquid in the container, including a liquid transfer passage having a liquid inlet opening disposed in the container for receiving liquid therein, the liquid transfer passage having a liquid outlet opening for discharging liquid received in the inlet opening, gas passage means for connecting a source of a gas to the liquid transfer passage, such that a gas passes toward the outlet opening to induce a flow of liquid from the inlet opening toward the outlet opening, the improvement comprising:

the gas passage means including a gas ejector nozzle for impinging the gas upon the liquid adjacent the liquid inlet opening to mix the gas with the liquid.

21. In a metal treating apparatus including a pot for holding a bath of molten metal, transfer means for moving the metal in the pot, including a molten metal transfer passage having a molten metal inlet opening disposed in the pot for receiving molten metal therein, the metal transfer passage having a molten metal outlet opening for discharging molten metal received in the inlet opening, the improvement comprising:

a monolithic cast refractory block having a planar bottom portion, a top portion, and side portions extending between the top and bottom portions, said molten metal-transfer passage having an inlet opening extending into the monolithic cast refractory block from the top portion, and an outlet opening extending from within the monolithic cast refractory block through one of the side portions proximate to the top portion, the inlet opening and the outlet opening being joined by the metal-lifting passage extending within the monolithic cast refractory block;

a convergent/divergent nozzle disposed in the metal transfer passage; and

gas jet reactor means for ejecting gas into the metal transfer passage toward the convergent/divergent nozzle into metal passing toward the molten metal outlet opening.

22. In an apparatus including a container for holding a bath of a liquid transfer means for moving the liquid in the container, including a liquid transfer passage having a liquid inlet opening disposed in the container for receiving liquid therein, the liquid transfer passage having a liquid outlet opening for discharging liquid received in the inlet opening, gas passage means for connecting a source of a gas to the liquid transfer passage, such that a gas passes toward the outlet opening to induce a flow of liquid from the inlet opening toward the outlet opening, the improvement comprising:

the gas passage means including a gas ejector nozzle for impinging the gas upon the liquid adjacent the inlet opening to mix the gas with the liquid.

23. In a metal treating apparatus including a pot for holding a bath of molten metal, transfer means for moving the metal in the pot, including a molten metal transfer passage having a molten metal inlet opening disposed in the pot for receiving molten metal therein, the metal transfer passage having a molten metal outlet opening for discharging molten metal received in the inlet opening, the improvement comprising:

a monolithic cast refractory block having a planar bottom portion, a top portion, and side portions extending between the top and bottom portions, said molten metal transfer passage having an inlet opening extending into the monolithic cast refractory block from the bottom portion, and an outlet opening extending from within the monolithic cast refractory block through one of the side portions, the inlet opening and the outlet opening being joined by the metal-lifting passage extending within the monolithic cast refractory block;

a convergent/divergent nozzle disposed in the metal transfer passage; and

gas jet reactor means for ejecting gas into the metal transfer passage toward the convergent/divergent nozzle into metal passing toward the molten metal outlet opening.