Ultrasonic degassing of molten metals

• US 9,617,617 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2013
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Southwire Company
• Original Assignee: Southwire Company
• Inventors: Rundquist, Victor F., Gill, Kevin S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kastler, Scott
• Application Number:
  US14/024,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20140008848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 266217, 266220
• CPC Class Codes: C21C 7/072 Treatment with gases C21C7/06, C21C7/064, C21C7/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/06 refining electrolytic refining C25C; C22B21/0046, C22B21/0061 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 21/064 using inert or reactive gases C22B21/066 and C22B21/068 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/00 General processes of refining or remelting of metals; Apparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/02 Refining by liquating, filtering, centrifuging, distilling, or supersonic wave action including acoustic waves; C22B9/003, C22B9/006, C22B9/05, C22B9/22 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 9/026 by acoustic waves, e.g. supersonic waves
• 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: F27D 2003/166 the fluid being a treatment gas
• CPC Class Codes: F27D 2003/169 Construction of the lance, e.g. lances for injecting particles
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/20 Recycling

Abstract

Methods for degassing and for removing impurities from molten metals are disclosed. These methods can include operating an ultrasonic device in a molten metal bath, and adding a purging gas into the molten metal bath in close proximity to the ultrasonic device.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic device comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer,

an elongated probe comprising a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the ultrasonic transducer and the second end comprising a tip, wherein the elongated probe comprises a ceramic;

a purging gas delivery system, wherein the purging gas delivery system comprises a purging gas inlet and a purging gas outlet, wherein the purging gas outlet is at the tip of the elongated probe; and

a booster between the ultrasonic transducer and the elongated probe, wherein the purging gas inlet is in the booster.

2. The ultrasonic device of claim 1, wherein the ceramic is a Sialon.

3. The ultrasonic device of claim 2, wherein the elongated probe is a unitary part.

4. The ultrasonic device of claim 1, wherein the ceramic is silicon carbide.

5. The ultrasonic device of claim 4, wherein the elongated probe is a unitary part.

6. The ultrasonic device of claim 1, wherein the tip of the elongated probe comprises a ceramic.

7. The ultrasonic device of claim 6, wherein the ceramic is a Sialon.

8. The ultrasonic device of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic device comprises two or more elongated probes.

9. The ultrasonic device of claim 1, wherein the elongated probe is generally cylindrical and the ceramic is silicon carbide.

10. The ultrasonic device of claim 1, wherein the elongated probe is a unitary part.

11. The ultrasonic device of claim 1, wherein the purging gas delivery system is capable of a volumetric flow rate in a range from about 0.1 to about 150 L/min.

12. The ultrasonic device of claim 1, wherein the purging gas delivery system comprises a purging gas delivery channel in the elongated probe.

13. The ultrasonic device of claim 1, further comprising a cooling system surrounding at least a portion of the elongated probe.

14. The ultrasonic device of claim 13, wherein the cooling system comprises channels for a cooling fluid.

15. An ultrasonic device comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer,

a unitary, generally cylindrical, elongated probe comprising a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the ultrasonic transducer and the second end comprising a tip, wherein the elongated probe comprises a Sialon;

a purging gas delivery system, wherein the purging gas delivery system comprises a purging gas inlet and a purging gas outlet, wherein the purging gas outlet is at the tip of the elongated probe; and

a booster between the ultrasonic transducer and the elongated probe, wherein the purging gas inlet is in the booster.

16. The ultrasonic device of claim 15, wherein the purging gas delivery system comprises a purging gas delivery channel in the elongated probe.

17. The ultrasonic device of claim 15, wherein the purging gas delivery system is capable of a volumetric flow rate in a range from about 0.1 to about 150 L/min.