US1541778A

US1541778A - Apparatus for refining metal

Info

Publication number: US1541778A
Application number: US675394A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard F Agricola
Original assignee: KARL A AGRICOLA; WILLIAM L AGRICOLA
Current assignee: KARL A AGRICOLA; WILLIAM L AGRICOLA
Priority date: 1923-11-17
Filing date: 1923-11-17
Publication date: 1925-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 1942-06-16

Description

June 16, *1925.

R. F. AGRICOLA APPARATUS FOR RBE'INIIGIETAL mea upv. 1v.

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Patented June 16, 1925'.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD F. AGRICOLA, 0F SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-THIRD TO KARL A. AGRICOLA AND ONE-THIRD T0 WILLIAM L. AGRICOLA, BOTH 0F DETROIT,

MICHIGAN APPARATUS FOR Application led November To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD F. AGRlCoLA, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Saginaw, in the county of Saglnaw and State of Mlchigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Relining Metal, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. The invention relates to apparatus used for the refining of metals and alloys and forms a division in part of my coendin application, Serial Number 423,565, led November 12, 1920.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for introducing a linx, or otherl purifying material, into a gaseous current which may be conducted into the molten mass of the metal to be refined thereby bringing ythe purifying material into intimate contact with all parts of the molten metal and eliminating the impurities by forming a slag on the surface of the metal.

In order to accomplish this purpose I have devised the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawin s, which are hereinafter more fully describe Figure 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

A represents a Crucible containing a quantity of molten metal, such, for instance, as aluminum. B is a pipe or conduit leading from a suitable source of air or steam under pressure and extending down into the mass of molten metal to near the bottom of the Crucible. Mounted upon the conduit B above the surface .of the molten metal is a receptacle or container C surroundingthe conduit D and forming an annular chamber D therebetween. As shown, this container comprises thecylindrical casing E threadedly secured to top and bottom portions F and G respectively, the former being suitably secured to the conduit B and the latter forming an inclined annular wall H forming the bottom of the chamber D. The bottom member G is also rovided with the aperture I forming a bearing for the sleeve valve J, the latter being rotatable about the conduit B and supported by means of the annular flange K resting upon the cooperating an- REFININ G- METAL.

17, 1923. `Serial No. 675,394.

nular Harige .L on the bottom member G. The sleeve valve J is provided with a series of longitudinal slots M arranged to register in one position of rotatveadjustment with the cooperating slots N in the conduit B, these slots beiner located near the bottom of the receptacle For regulating the valve there is provided a handle O secured to the sleeve valve J b suitable means, such as the set screw P. he apparatus may also be provided with the valves Q and R respec g tively located above and below the receptacle C.

With this construction of apparatus a purifying material is placed in the receptacle C surrounding the conduit B and lilling the annular chamber D. The specific material used depends upon the metal or alloy to be puried but when used for the manufacture of aluminum castings it is preferable to employ as a flux a mixture of 25% lime or fluor-spar, 25% sodium carbonate, and of charcoal or other form of carbon. This material is introduced into the receptacle `C in a pulverized form with the ingredients thoroughly mixed.

In the operation of the apparatus, the

valves R and Q are opened whereupon air or steam under ressure will be forced through the conduit B into the molten material in the receptacle A. The sleeve valve J is regulated to admit a certain amount of the pulverized flux through the cooperat- .u ing ports M and N into the gaseous stream where it will be carried in suspension into the molten material. The agitation of the molten metal will bring all parts thereof into intimate contact with the tiux or purifying material and the undesirable impurities will chemically react therewith to form a slag rising to the top of the metal.`

While I have specifically described the apparatus used for purifying aluminum it is obvious that the same apparatus may be employed vfor purifying other non-ferrous alloys, such as copper, brass, bronze, lead, Zinc, etc., in which case the flux or purifying material placed in the receptacle C is selected with reference to the particular metal under treatment.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an a paratus for purifying metals, the combination with a receptacle for holding molten metal, of a container for the tin, l*

purifying material, a conduit passing through said container and extending into said molten mass for conveying a gaseous current thereinto, and means for introducing said purifying material into said conduit in a finely divided state.

2. In an apparatus for purifying metals, the combination with a receptacle for holding molten metal, and a, conduit extending into the molten mass for conveying a gaseous mixture thereinto, of a container for purifying material secured to said conduit to surround the same, said container communicating with said conduit through an adjustable opening in the latter near the bottom of said container.

3. In an apparatus for purifying metals, the combination with a receptacle for holding molten metal, of a container for the purifying material, a conduit passing through said container and provided with a port communicating therewith near the bottom of said Container, said conduit extending into said molten metal, and a valve for controlling the amount of purifying material admitting into said conduit from the receptacle.

4. In an apparatus for purifying-metals, the combination with a receptacle for holding molten metal, and a. conduit extending into the molten mass for conveying a gaseous current thereinto, of a receptacle for a puri- Jtying material surrounding said conduit and secured to the same, a sleeve valve rotatably mounted on said conduit and provided With an aperture registering` in one position with an opening in said conduit near the bottom of said container, and means 'l'or rotating said sleeve valve to regulate the amount of said purifying material admitted.

5. An apparatus for purifying metal comprising a tubular member for conveying a gaseous mixture into a molten mass, said member being provided with a series of peripherally spaced ports, a rotatable sleeve surrounding said tubular member and provided with cooperating ports registrable with the ports in said tubular member, a receptacle for the purifying material supported on said tubular member above the molten mass and surrounding said ports, said container having a bottom portion extending slightly below said ports and forming a support for said sleeve, and a handle secured to said sleeve below said container for regulating the amount of purifying material introduced into said tubularmember.

In testimon whereofI aix m si nature.

R CHARD` F. AG I OLA.