US3550925A - Apparatus for separating metals - Google Patents

Apparatus for separating metals Download PDF

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Publication number
US3550925A
US3550925A US3550925DA US3550925A US 3550925 A US3550925 A US 3550925A US 3550925D A US3550925D A US 3550925DA US 3550925 A US3550925 A US 3550925A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
retort
screen
furnace
melting point
scrap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
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English (en)
Inventor
Marvin Evans
David H Miller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
COLLEGE RESEARCH CORP
Original Assignee
COLLEGE RESEARCH CORP
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by COLLEGE RESEARCH CORP filed Critical COLLEGE RESEARCH CORP
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3550925A publication Critical patent/US3550925A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C3/00—Removing material from alloys to produce alloys of different constitution separation of the constituents of alloys
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B7/00—Working up raw materials other than ores, e.g. scrap, to produce non-ferrous metals and compounds thereof; Methods of a general interest or applied to the winning of more than two metals
    • C22B7/001—Dry processes
    • C22B7/004—Dry processes separating two or more metals by melting out (liquation), i.e. heating above the temperature of the lower melting metal component(s); by fractional crystallisation (controlled freezing)
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B7/00—Working up raw materials other than ores, e.g. scrap, to produce non-ferrous metals and compounds thereof; Methods of a general interest or applied to the winning of more than two metals
    • C22B7/04—Working-up slag
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B9/00—General processes of refining or remelting of metals; Apparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals
    • C22B9/10—General processes of refining or remelting of metals; Apparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals with refining or fluxing agents; Use of materials therefor, e.g. slagging or scorifying agents
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
    • Y02P10/20—Recycling
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S266/00—Metallurgical apparatus
    • Y10S266/901—Scrap metal preheating or melting

Definitions

  • the apparatus includes a retort mounted for rotation within a gas furnace and a k l 54] APPARATUS FOR ARATING METALS spiral flight is secured to the inner wall of the retort.
  • Scrap metal in many cases consists of two or more different alloys, and unless the various alloys are separated, the scrap metal has little value.
  • zinc or aluminum alloy die castings generally contain small elements of iron or steel such as pins, bushings, screws, bolts, jets, etc., which cannot be readily separated from the die cast alloy except through the use of expensive manual labor.
  • die cast alloys containing the small iron or steel parts have very little value for scrap purposes and processes have been devised in the past in an attempt to economically separate the die cast alloys from ferrous metals.
  • US. Pat. No. 3,193,273 relates to an apparatus for separating two alloys from scrap metal in a continuous process.
  • the metal separating apparatus of that patent includes an inclined tube or retort which is mounted for rotation within a furnace and a spiral flight or auger blade is secured to the inner wall of the retort. Scrap metal is charged into the upper end of the retort and is carried downwardly through the rotating retort by the spiral flight.
  • the lower end of the spiral flight extends outwardly beyond the rotating tube and a screen or other member of open construction is located at the lower end of the tube and the molten lower melting point alloy is discharged through the screen into a container for collection, while the unmelted, higher point alloy pieces are conveyed across the screen and collected in a second container.
  • the present invention is directed to an improvement to the structure shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,193,273 and is directed to the concept of circulating the gases of combustion through the retort to increase the efficiency of heating.
  • the low end of the inclined tube or retort is provided with a screen section, and the molten lower melting point alloy flows through the screen to a collection container, while the unmelted higher melting point alloy pieces are moved across the screen by the spiral flight'and discharged from the end of the tube into a second collection container.
  • the upper portion of the furnace wall extends longitudinally beyond the screen section of the retort and a separate radiant gas burner is located in the upper portion of the furnace above the screen.
  • the screen of the retort is maintained at a high temperature so that the molten alloy will not solidify and clog the openings in the screen. Moreover, the gases of combustion which flow along the top wall of the furnace are drawn through the screen into the retort and then flow upwardly through the retort to its upper end. This circulation of the hot gases of combustion within the retort aids in heating the scrap to a higher temperature withless consumption of fuel.
  • the circulation of the combustion gas through the retort will also tend to minimize the amount of oxygen inthe retort and thereby reduce the possibility of oxidation of the materials.
  • the radiant gas burner which is located above the screen section at the end of the furnace aids in maintaining the end of the retort in a heated condition so that the molten metal will not solidify as it passes through the openings in the screen section of the retort.
  • the process of the invention produces a clean metal separation in which the unmelted pieces of the higher melting point alloy are relatively free of oxides and scum. Due to the tumbling action provided by the spiral flight, the softer metals and oxides are knocked off of the harder metals so that a mechanical separation is also provided by the apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the metal separating apparatus of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the apparatus
  • FIG. 3 is an end view of the apparatus.
  • the drawings illustrate an apparatus for separating scrap metal into its alloy components and comprises a furnace l which is supported on a frame 2 mounted on a foundation 3.
  • a generally cylindrical retort 4 is mounted for rotation with the furnace 1 and scrap material 5 to be heated is introduced into the retort 4 through an inlet 6.
  • the lower end portion of the retort 4 is provided with a screen section 7 which extends around the entire periphery of the retort.
  • the screen 7 can be any type of foraminous member of open construction capable of withstanding the temperatures involved and the screen is supported by a series of reinforcing members 3 that extend longitudinally across the screen.
  • the scrap pieces 5 are adapted to be conveyed through the retort 4 by rotation of a spiral flight 9 connected to the inner wall of the retort by a series of spacers 9a which provide passages between the retort and the spiral flight.
  • the lower melting point alloy will be melted and the molten alloy flows downwardly through the passages between spacers 9a and then through the openings of the screen 7 and is collected ina container 10, while the unmelted higher melting point alloy pieces are conveyed across the screen 7 by a spiral flight 9 and are discharged from the low end of the retort into a second container 11.
  • the end of the retort can be closed off during periods when scrap is not being moved through the retort by a hinged cover 12.
  • the retort 4 is journaled for rotation about its axis on two pair of rollers 13 which are mounted on shafts 14 that are journaled within the end walls of the furnace 1.
  • a sprocket 15 is secured to the outer surface of the retort and is connected by chain 16 to a drive sprocket l7.
  • Sprocket 17 is driven by a motor 18 acting through a conventional speed reducing mechanism 19.
  • the furnace 1 includes a generally cylindrical central section 20 and a semicylindrical extension 21 which extends outwardly from the end of the central portion 20 and is located above the screen 7.
  • the scrap material 5 is heated by conduction, radiation and convection within the retort which is in turn heated by a series of gas jets 22 which are located in the wall of the central sec tion 20 of furnace l and are positioned at spaced intervals along the length of the furnace.
  • the gas jets 22 are arranged so that the flame is directed generally tangentially to the retort and the flame does not play directly on the retort 4.
  • Gas is introduced to the jets 22 through a manifold 23 which in turn is connected to the gas supply lines by a conventional pipe system.
  • a radiant burner 24 is mounted in the upper portion furnace extension 21 and is located generally above the screen 7. Gas is supplied to the burner 24 through a gas line 25. The burner 24 directs a generally flat flame along the wall of the extension 21 and provides a more uniform temperature throughout the entire length of the furnace. By maintaining the low end of the retort, including screen 7, at an elevated temperature, the molten metal can pass freely through the screen without danger of solidification in the screen openings.
  • the gases of combustion from both the gas jets 22 and the burner 24 will be drawn through the screen 7 into the lower end of the retort 4 by a chimneytype of action.
  • the gases of combustion then pass upwardly through the retort, countercurrently to the flow of scrap 5, and are discharged from the inlet end 6.
  • the efficiency of heating of the scrap metal 5 is improved, thereby enabling the scrap to be heated to the desired temperature with a lesser consumption of fuel.
  • vents 26 which are located in the upper surface of the furnace 1.
  • Suitable lids or covers 27 can be used to close off the vents 26 as desired. By closing the vents, additional quantities of the gases of combustion will pass through the screen 7 into the retort 4 to increase the temperature within the retort, while opening the vents will cause an increased volume of the gases of combustion to escape through the vents 26 to the atmosphere and thereby decrease the temperature in the retort.
  • the scrap material 5 is charged into the inlet end 6 of the retort 4 and the scrap is conveyed to the low end of the retort with a tumbling type of action by the spiral flight 9.
  • the lower melting point alloy such as zinc or aluminum base alloy
  • the higher melting point alloy such as steel or cast iron
  • the tumbling action provided by the rotating tube in the spiral flight tends to separate the low melting point materials from the higher melting point materials by a mechanical action as well as by the melting action.
  • the tumbling action also results in both the molten metal and the unmelted scrap particles being in a relatively clean state, free of oxides and scum.
  • furnace extension 21 is shown as being generally semicylindrical and encompassing approximately 180, it is contemplated that the extension may extend circumferentially through a greater are as long as an opening is provided in the extension through which the molten metal can be discharged from screen 7 into the container 10.
  • the apparatus may be arranged so that the scrap is fed into the lower end and is moved upwardly.
  • the apparatus can be similar to that shown in the copend ing Pat. application Ser. No. 491,139, filed Sept. 29, 1965 and now US. Pat. No. 3,401,925, and entitled Apparatus for Separating Materials, with the furnace extension or hood extending beyond the low end of the retort so that the combustion gases will be directed into the low end of the retort.
  • an inclined retort disposed to convey a material composed of a higher melting point substance and a lower melting point substance, conveying means located within the retort for conveying the material from one end of said retort to the other end, a furnace disposed around the retort, gas-fired heating means located within the furnace for heating the material to a temperature above the melting point of the lower melting point substance to melt the same and to a temperature beneath the melting point of the higher melting point substance, said retort having a discharge outlet at its low end for the discharge of the molten lower melting point substance, and means for conveying the gases of combustion from said heating means into the discharge outlet of said retort, said gases passing upwardly through the retort and being discharged from the high end of the retort.
  • an inclined retort disposed to convey a material composed of a higher melting point substance and a lower melting point substance, a spiral flight secured to the inner surface of the retort, means for rotating the retort about its axis with said spiral flight acting to convey the material from one end of the retort to the other end, a foraminous member located at the low end of the retort, a furnace disposed around the retort, gas-fired heating means located within the furnace for heating the material to a temperature above the melting point of the lower melting point substance to melt the same and to a temperature beneath the melting point of the higher melting point substance, the molten lower melting point substance being discharged from said retort through said foraminous member, said furnace including a central section spaced radially outward of the retort and having an end section extending longitudinally from said central section and above the foraminous member, the upper surface of said end section being substantially continuous with the upper

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
  • Vertical, Hearth, Or Arc Furnaces (AREA)
US3550925D 1968-08-30 1968-08-30 Apparatus for separating metals Expired - Lifetime US3550925A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US75645568A 1968-08-30 1968-08-30

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US (1) US3550925A (ru)
CA (1) CA922894A (ru)
GB (1) GB1257099A (ru)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4201370A (en) * 1978-07-10 1980-05-06 College Research Corporation Method and apparatus for heat treating materials to remove contaminants
EP0013692A1 (de) * 1978-12-21 1980-08-06 sma Shredder-Müll Aufbereitung Schrott Maschinen Abbruch GmbH Vorrichtung zum selektiven Abtrennen nicht ferromagnetischer Metalle aus einem Gemenge zerkleinerten metallischen Schrotts von nahezu einheitlicher Teilchengrösse
US5054747A (en) * 1989-03-28 1991-10-08 Stein Atkinson Stordy Limited Scrap recovery apparatus
US5104095A (en) * 1990-03-12 1992-04-14 Elliott Guy R B Apparatus for separating molten salt from molten salt or molten uranium or molten uranium alloy
US5149445A (en) * 1990-12-22 1992-09-22 Santrade Ltd. Process and apparatus for the purification of substances
FR2680411A1 (fr) * 1991-08-14 1993-02-19 Badey Jacques Procede et installation de recuperation de metaux par fusion fractionnee.
ES2064255A2 (es) * 1992-01-16 1995-01-16 Riedhammer Gmbh Co Kg Dispositivo para la separacion de diferentes metales de una mezcla de metales y procedimiento correspondiente.
WO1996034119A1 (en) * 1995-04-25 1996-10-31 Teknotyö-Metallurgia Oy Metal waste processing facility
US5700425A (en) * 1993-11-03 1997-12-23 Celi; Antonio Maria Device for the pretreatment of electronic scrap
EP1491644A1 (de) * 2003-06-26 2004-12-29 Honsel GmbH & Co. KG Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Trennen von in Aluminiumlegierungen enthaltenen Eisenwerkstoffteilen
CN103305676A (zh) * 2012-03-15 2013-09-18 新东工业株式会社 旋转甑式热处理炉
CN105674730A (zh) * 2015-12-31 2016-06-15 张英华 铁矿烧结与筛选一体机

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2326704B (en) * 1997-04-04 2001-03-14 Radius Industry Ltd Processing apparatus and method of use

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4201370A (en) * 1978-07-10 1980-05-06 College Research Corporation Method and apparatus for heat treating materials to remove contaminants
EP0013692A1 (de) * 1978-12-21 1980-08-06 sma Shredder-Müll Aufbereitung Schrott Maschinen Abbruch GmbH Vorrichtung zum selektiven Abtrennen nicht ferromagnetischer Metalle aus einem Gemenge zerkleinerten metallischen Schrotts von nahezu einheitlicher Teilchengrösse
US5054747A (en) * 1989-03-28 1991-10-08 Stein Atkinson Stordy Limited Scrap recovery apparatus
US5104095A (en) * 1990-03-12 1992-04-14 Elliott Guy R B Apparatus for separating molten salt from molten salt or molten uranium or molten uranium alloy
US5149445A (en) * 1990-12-22 1992-09-22 Santrade Ltd. Process and apparatus for the purification of substances
FR2680411A1 (fr) * 1991-08-14 1993-02-19 Badey Jacques Procede et installation de recuperation de metaux par fusion fractionnee.
ES2064255A2 (es) * 1992-01-16 1995-01-16 Riedhammer Gmbh Co Kg Dispositivo para la separacion de diferentes metales de una mezcla de metales y procedimiento correspondiente.
US5700425A (en) * 1993-11-03 1997-12-23 Celi; Antonio Maria Device for the pretreatment of electronic scrap
WO1996034119A1 (en) * 1995-04-25 1996-10-31 Teknotyö-Metallurgia Oy Metal waste processing facility
AU693758B3 (en) * 1995-04-25 1998-07-02 Jarkko Linnainmaa Metal waste processing facility
US5928602A (en) * 1995-04-25 1999-07-27 Jarkko Linnainmaa Metal waste processing facility
EP1491644A1 (de) * 2003-06-26 2004-12-29 Honsel GmbH & Co. KG Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Trennen von in Aluminiumlegierungen enthaltenen Eisenwerkstoffteilen
CN103305676A (zh) * 2012-03-15 2013-09-18 新东工业株式会社 旋转甑式热处理炉
CN105674730A (zh) * 2015-12-31 2016-06-15 张英华 铁矿烧结与筛选一体机

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Publication number Publication date
GB1257099A (ru) 1971-12-15
CA922894A (en) 1973-03-20

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