US2917798A

US2917798A - Method and apparatus for casting and handling ferro-manganese

Info

Publication number: US2917798A
Application number: US700193A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ross Haldon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-12-02
Filing date: 1957-12-02
Publication date: 1959-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 1976-12-22

Description

Dec. 22, 1959 H. ROSS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING AND HANDLING FERRO-MANGANESE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 2, 1957 INVENTOR HALDON ROSS Dec. 22, 1959 2,917,798

H ROSS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING AND HANDLING FERRO-MANGANESE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2, 1 957 INVENTOR HALDON ROSS ATTORNEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING AND HANDLING FERRO-MANGANESE Haldon Ross, Rockwood, Tenn; Application December 2, 1957, Serial No. 700,193

2 Claims. c1. 22-200 This invention relates to the casting and handling of ferro-rnanganese and, in particular, relates 'toa method of casting ferro-manganese ingots and loading the ingots so cast on a transporting vehicle. i

The casting and handling of ferro-manganese has heretofore been laborious. Methods used in casting of-other type metals, such as, for example, pig iron, steel, or lead, are not adaptable to ferro-manganese casting procedures because molten ferro-manganese has a very high temperature, about 2900 F., and because ferro-manganese cracks or partially disintegrates in the cooling stage. Because of the peculiar characteristics of ferro-manganese, it has been common practice to cast term-manganese in a bed, and then break up the casting into small pieces and load the pieces into pans for subsequent transporting.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method of, and apparatus for, casting and loading ferro-manganese, which method and apparatus eliminate the need for breaking up a casting in order to transport it.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of, and apparatus for, casting and loading ferromanganese which reduce the cost of equipment necessary method of, and apparatus for, casting and loading ferromanganese blocks, which method and apparatus provide for preparing the surface of a vehicle on which the blocks are to be loaded.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method of, and apparatus for, casting and loading ferromanganese blocks, which method and apparatus provide for a convenient means to lift the ferro-manganese blocks from the bed so that they may be loaded on a transporting vehicle.

Other objects and the advantages of this invention will become apparent when the following description is considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a bed and transporting vehicle used for casting and handling ferro-manganese in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; i

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a ferro-manganese block cast in accordance with this invention and being handled as provided by this invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a stool provided for handling the ferro-manganese;

Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional as isshown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a side view of a divider used in-a ferromanganese bed in accordance with this invention;

view of a stool such ire Figure 7 is an end view of a divider such as isshowh in Figure 6; t

Fgure 8 is a side view of a fillet which may be used in a ferro-manganese bed in accordance with this invention; and

Figure 9 is an end view of a fillet such asis shown in Figure 8.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of and apparatus for casting and molding ferro manganese blocks, which niethod and apparatus provides for casting beds having dimensions suitable for casting ferro manganese in accordance with this invention.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates a bed area which may have any suitable foundation, such as, for example, an excavated area in the ground. The numeral 2 generally designates a singe bed within the bed area 1. The bed comprises a plurality of side plates 3 joined end to end continuously so as to define a rectangular bed 2. Disposed within the bed are dividers 4, stools 5, and

As best shown in Figure 2, the floor of the bed com prises a layer of sand 7 over which is disposed a layer of cast iron blocks 8.

The numeral 9 designates a trough through which molten ferro-manganese is distributed to the bed area, and the numeral 10 designates a side trough, leading from the main trough 9. Through the trough 9 molten ferro-manganese is delivered to the bed 2. The numeral 11 designates a transporting vehicle which, as shown, is a flat top railroad car.

The dividers 4 are disposed in the bed 2 so as to divide it into sections 22, a fillet 6 is disposed at either end, and, as shown, two stools are disposed within each section.

Referring now more particularly to the components of the bed, it will be noted that the side plates 3 are, as shown, rectangular in form. They are made of any suitable material, such as heat-resistant steel. It should be understood, however, that the side plates may be of any suitable shape without departing from the scope of the invention.

As best shown in Figure 6, the dividers have an elongated base portion 13 and an upwardly extending shank portion 14. At the top of the shank portion 14 is an eye 15 which is. made, as shown, of a looped bar which extends through shank portion 14 into base portion 15.

The

components

13, 14 and 15 may be. joined in any suitable manner, such as by welding or may be cast together. The base portion 13 of the dividers 4 is tapered to facilitate removal of blocks cast in the bed. By reference to Figure 2 it will be noted that the base portion 13 of the dividers is of less vertical heightthan the ver tical height of the side plates 3. This feature is significant in that it allows for flow within a given bed, from section to section. It should be understood that a divider, as referred to in this application, refers to any structure which is used toseparate a casting bed into sections. The hook 15, shown as connected with shank 14, facilitates move inent ofthe divider by a crane.

in accordance withthis invention to aid in of cast ingots on a transporting vehicle;

The fillets 6, as shown in detail in Figures 8 and 9, comprise a triangular base portion 20 into which are plates 3 optimum minimum. .ured between the outermost extension of adjacent base .;side plates of two beds at the same time.

ofanysuitable material, such as heat-resistant steel.

\In carrying out the invention, a bed would be pro- .vided by first defining a bed area and then covering the surface of that area first with a layer of sand-tilt, such as thatdesignated by the numeral 7, and then with a layer of cast iron blocks, such as those designated by the numeral 8 in Figure l. The side plates, such as those designated by the numeral 3, would be inserted so as to define a bed, and dividers 4 would be placed so that the bed 2 defined by the side plates 3 would be divided into sections. Fillets, such as those designated by the numeral 6, would be inserted at each end of the bed.

Because of the temperatures which are encountered when casting ferro manganese, the sections 22 of a bed should have certain minimum dimensions. The depth of a section should be one foot or more, one foot, four inches being the optimum minimum. This depth is measured from the top of blocks 8 to the top ofside plates 3. The width of the section between defining side should be five feet or more, six feet being the The length of the section as measportions 13 should be five feet or more; five feet, four inches being the optimum minimum. Although the dimensions of the sections have critical minimum dimensions, there is no maximum limit, except that imposed by handling apparatus.

qT'he expose-d interior surfaces of the bed, that is, thse which will come into contact with the molten ferromanganese fiowed into the bed through troughs 9 and 18, are coated withanaqueous mixture generally designated by the numeral 2-8. The mixture is preferably one consisting of water and lime or water and graphite.

Example .1

The beds were coated with a mixture of undissol-ved lime in a saturated solution of lime and water.

Example 2 The beds were coated with a mixture of undissolved.

of the bed.

After the coating has been applied, molten ferro-manganese is i'lowed'into the bed z'throu gh the troughs 9 and 10. Offcourse, the section nearest trough 10 fills first, however, as soon as filled to the level of the baselS of the divider 4 separating that section from the next, the

molten term-manganese spi ls over into the next section,

and the process continues until all beds are filled to the level of the bases 13 of the dividers .After the beds are filled, preferably to this level or slightly above it, the flow 'ofmoiten form-manganese to bed 2. is stopped. It shouid'be understood thatiseveral side-by-side beds may be usedand filied simultaneously. :Qf course, this ailows the side plates between any two .walls to serve as. defining After the beds-are filled to" the desired level, the. metal is left to cool. This cooling period should'be. at least 4 one hour. During the cooling period, the metal will contract so as to draw away from the side plates and crack above the dividers.

After the cooling period has terminated, a hoist may be attached to the stools and the cast blocks 23 of ferro-manganese lifted from the sections, as shown in Figure 3.

It is usually desirable to transport the cast blocks to a stockpile. This is .done by employing a transporting vehicle, such as that generally designated by the numeral 11, the surface of which has been prepared by covering the same with a layer of fire brick 26 on top of which is placed a layer of sand 27.

When it is desired to use the blocks 23 cast according to this invention, they are transported to the desired point. The stools 5 are easily removed from the blocks 23 because, as stated hereinabove, the ferro-manganese contracts while cooling, and draws away from the stools. Of course, the shape of the stools is such that even after contraction, the stools may be used for lifting purposes,

i.e., they are provided with a tapering base comprising portions 16 and 17 (Figure 5).

Havingthus set forth the invention, it is apparent that the objects above noted have been successfully achieved by this invention. Variousrnodifications of the invention .will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the matter contained in the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings be interpreted in an illustrative sense, and not in a limiting sense, when consideration is given to the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A new and improved method of casting and handling;ferro-m anganese in a bed having connecting side .plates and containing stools, dividers, and fillets, said method including forming the bed with a flooring covered wi th a layer of sand, covering the sand with metal blocks,

seperating said bed into sections of predetermined dimensions with said dividers, placing at least one stool within each section, placing fillets at opposite ends of the bed to facilitate removal of a cast ingotfrom the bed, coating the internal exposed surfaces of thebed, treating the exposed surfaces of the stools and the exposed surfaces of the dividers with an aqueous mixture, flowing molten ferro-rnanganese into at least one of said sections, allowing the molten ferro-manganese to spill over the other sections until the sections are filled to at least a predetermined level and then allowing the molten metal to cool.

2. A new and improved method of casting and handling ferro manganese as called for in claim 1 in which the aqueous mixture comprises a mixture of material selected from the'group consisting of a mixture of lime and water and a mixture of graphite and water.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS