GB804643A - A method of and means for stirring electric-current-conducting melts in furnaces, mixers and like holders - Google Patents

Abstract

804,643. Electric heating. REDFERN, W. D. Dec. 1, 1954 [Dec. 21, 1953], No. 35410/53. Class 39(3) [Also in Group II] Conducting melts especially ferrous or non-ferrous metals and alloys in a mixer or furnace, Which, if heated, are not primarily electrically heated, are stirred, by passage of current through the melt between spaced electrodes E inserted in the melt, a linear conductor C located outside the melt being directly connected to one electrode and extending from one side of one electrode to the opposite side of the other electrode. Stirring is controlled by control of the current. The electrodes E are inserted into the melt from the top, bottom or sides. The conductor is connected in series with the conducting melt. Both electrodes and the conductor may be water-cooled. The conductor C is not in the form of a coil and may extend as shown along a path parallel to a direct line between the electrodes, crosses the line and again runs parallel to the electrodes. Two conductors C, C<SP>1</SP> may be arranged beneath the hearth as in Fig. 2, and the current supply may be changed from one conductor to the other to reverse the direction of stirring. Alternatively, the conductor is arranged on a path at no time parallel to a line drawn between the electrodes. The electrodes and conductors may be water-cooled. The electrodes may extend into the melt from the top or bottom or through the walls and may be protected from slag action. According to the Provisional Specification, A.C. or D.C. is introduced at one or more pairs of electrodes in the hearth of the furnace and one or more immersed refractory walls are introduced to improve the circulation.