US3627293A - Apparatus for purifying metals by pouring through slag - Google Patents

Apparatus for purifying metals by pouring through slag Download PDF

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Publication number
US3627293A
US3627293A US7121A US3627293DA US3627293A US 3627293 A US3627293 A US 3627293A US 7121 A US7121 A US 7121A US 3627293D A US3627293D A US 3627293DA US 3627293 A US3627293 A US 3627293A
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Prior art keywords
slag
metal
electrode
arrangement
pouring
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Expired - Lifetime
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US7121A
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English (en)
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Franz Sperner
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Leybold Heraeus Verwaltung GmbH
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Leybold Heraeus Verwaltung GmbH
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    • 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
    • C22B9/106—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 the refining being obtained by intimately mixing the molten metal with a molten salt or slag

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus for purifying metals, particularly copper, upon underslag castings or by pouring a metal fused outside the slag layer through the slag layer.
  • a vacuum electric-arc melting apparatus suitable for continuous operation has become known from German Pat. No. 1,046,212. This device, however, does not avoid the disadvantage inherent in the repeated supply and removal of large amounts of energy in the individual stages of the melting process.
  • a suitable ignition material such as steel wool or a mixture of the same with slag powder is deposited beneath the electrode. Also, the ignition material is surrounded by granular slag. This, being in contact with an electrode, is ignited, whereupon the resultant heat melts the slag and metal.
  • At least one hollow electrode constituting a collection vessel is arranged above the puddle of molten slag, and its bottom portion is provided with apertures for the discharge of the melt, the bottom portion dipping into the slag layer which is provided above the block of remelted metal which serves as the counterelectrode.
  • the apparatus of the invention combines several advantageous features. It is not necessary to prepare consumable electrodes of any specific configuration.
  • the metal to be purified may be used as a starting material in any available form, for example, as scrap, and there is no need to solidify the metal after it is molten and prior to purification. Because the stream of molten metal is divided into partial streams which enter the slag layer, there is intimate contact between the metal to be purified and the slag layer, with a high purification effect. Preferably, the metal passes through the slag layer while in the form of drops. Because the molten metal is divided into partial streams only at the slag surface, the kinetic ene gy f th metal entering the slag layer is low.
  • the velocity of the metal in the slag is therefore low, and the dwell time is relatively long. Because the collection vessel is used as one electrode, and the lower block of remelted metal is used as the counterelectrode, the entire slag layer, which extends between the two electrodes, constitutes a resistance heater which is heated to a high temperature. It is in this zone in which the drops of molten metal pass so that the thermal energy is supplied where it is most advantageously used for the metallurgical requirements of the process.
  • the actual pouring process can be made continuous even if the molten metal is received intermittently from a preliminary melting vessel.
  • the apparatus of the invention is thus particularly useful for the continuous casting of metal.
  • a premelting furnace 1 may be a so-called "Asarco furnace if copper is to be melted. Electrolytic copper is melted in the furnace in a slightly reducing atmosphere. The mode of operation of such a furnace is usually quasi-continuous. The premelted metal is discharged from the spout or nipple 2 into an intermediate ladle or collecting unit 3. This ladle may be dispensed with, however, even when a discontinuously operated premelting furnace is used. However, its use facilitates the control of the purification process. The intermediate ladle also'permits addition agents to be added and mixed intimately with the molten metal.
  • the metal melt 5 enters the hollow electrode 6 which constitutes a collecting vessel, from a nipple or spout 4 of ladle 3.
  • Electrode 6 may consist of graphite or a similar, electrically conductive material. It is possible to make the hollow electrode double-walled, and to provide liquid cooling.
  • the hollow electrode illustrated consists of a substantially cylindrical upright wall 7 and a bottom 8 which is provided with several apertures 9. The apertures are uniformly distributed over the area of the bottom wall 8, but as few as two apertures may be adequate. It is also conceivable to place the apertures 9 in the lower end of the upright wall 7, and to immerse the hollow electrode 6 in the slag layer 10 somewhat deeper than is shown in the drawing. As is evident from the drawing, the internal capacity of the hollow electrode is sufficient to permit continuous formation of the block 13 of remelted metal even without the intermediate ladle 3 and with a premelting furnace l which operates batchwise.
  • Necessary energy is supplied to the hollow electrode 6 by means of a conductor 11 connected to a current source 12.
  • the block 13 made from the molten metal is located below the hollow electrode 6 and is a continuously cast body of uniform cross section in the instant case. At the upper end of the block 13, there is located a puddle 14 of molten metal in which the partial streams of molten metal are consolidated.
  • the block 13 of remolten metal constitutes the counterelectrode for the hollow electrode 6, and is therefore connected with the same current source 12 by means of contact rollers 15 and a conductor l6.
  • Block 13 with the puddle of melt 14 as well as hollow electrode 6 and slag layer 10 between the electrodes are enveloped by a liquid-cooled mold 17 as is conventional in this art.
  • Said mold contains water 18 as a cooling medium.
  • the drawing shows that the molten metal 5 is discharged through apertures 9 in bottom 8 of the hollow electrode 6 in fine streams which disintegrate into individual drops. The drops travel through slag layer 10 because of their greater specific gravity at a relatively low velocity, thereby permitting intensive interaction and thus effective purification by the slag.
  • the hollow electrode 6 When copper is to be treated, it is most advantageous to make the hollow electrode 6 of graphite because copper does not tend to form carbides, and copper oxide is reduced to copper by the graphite at the prevailing temperature. it is therefore particularly advantageous for this reason to use a graphite-bearing slag.
  • the metal to be remelted for example, scrap
  • the metal to be remelted is entered directly into the hollow electrode 6 and fused there.
  • a combination of the feed methods indicated above is also contemplated.
  • only a portion of the metal to be remelted, for example, alloying constituents is fed directly to the hollow electrode in solid form, whereas the remainder of the metal is drawn from a premelting furnace. Fusion of the scrap in the hollow electrode is facilitated when the electrode has a high-electrical resistivity and thus contributes to the development of thermal energy.
  • Graphite is a suitable electrode material in this case as well.
  • the apparatus of the invention can be readily modified to provide the same advantages when operated with polyphase alternating current.
  • threephase current is used, the single illustrated hollow electrode is merely replaced by three electrodes of the same type which dip into a common slag layer.
  • An arrangement for the continuous purification of metal comprising, in combination, a substantially hollow electrode with bottom wall and sidewalls, said bottom wall having at least two perforations therethrough; means for containing molten slag in proximity of said bottom wall. said perforations discharging into said slag; means for discharging metal into the hollow interior of said electrode; a metal member beneath said slag and in substantially close proximity therewith; and a source of electrical energy connected between said electrode and said member for generating heat within said slag.
US7121A 1969-03-14 1970-01-30 Apparatus for purifying metals by pouring through slag Expired - Lifetime US3627293A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19691912935 DE1912935A1 (de) 1969-03-14 1969-03-14 Vorrichtung zum Reinigen von Metallen durch Unterschlackegiessen

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US3627293A true US3627293A (en) 1971-12-14

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US (1) US3627293A (de)
JP (1) JPS4840533B1 (de)
DE (1) DE1912935A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2034930A7 (de)
GB (1) GB1242351A (de)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3752215A (en) * 1970-11-12 1973-08-14 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Continuous casting apparatus for shaped metal bodies
US3788381A (en) * 1971-06-08 1974-01-29 British Iron Steel Research Metal refining process
US3807485A (en) * 1971-06-16 1974-04-30 B Paton Method of producing multi-layer metal ingots
US4133967A (en) * 1977-06-24 1979-01-09 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Interior Two-stage electric arc - electroslag process and apparatus for continuous steelmaking
US4533388A (en) * 1984-04-11 1985-08-06 Olin Corporation Technique for removing iron-rich components from a copper melt
US7154932B2 (en) * 2000-11-15 2006-12-26 Ati Properties, Inc. Refining and casting apparatus
US20070062332A1 (en) * 2005-09-22 2007-03-22 Jones Robin M F Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys
US20090139682A1 (en) * 2007-12-04 2009-06-04 Ati Properties, Inc. Casting Apparatus and Method
US7803212B2 (en) 2005-09-22 2010-09-28 Ati Properties, Inc. Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys
US7803211B2 (en) 2005-09-22 2010-09-28 Ati Properties, Inc. Method and apparatus for producing large diameter superalloy ingots
CN101941062A (zh) * 2010-10-08 2011-01-12 阎瑞河 一种立式连续浇铸大型环状铸坯的方法及装置
CN102605189A (zh) * 2012-03-22 2012-07-25 金川集团有限公司 一种电渣精炼技术制备铜及铜合金铸锭的方法
US8642916B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2014-02-04 Ati Properties, Inc. Melting furnace including wire-discharge ion plasma electron emitter
US8747956B2 (en) 2011-08-11 2014-06-10 Ati Properties, Inc. Processes, systems, and apparatus for forming products from atomized metals and alloys
US8748773B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2014-06-10 Ati Properties, Inc. Ion plasma electron emitters for a melting furnace
US8891583B2 (en) 2000-11-15 2014-11-18 Ati Properties, Inc. Refining and casting apparatus and method
EP2940155A4 (de) * 2012-12-26 2016-08-03 Posco Vorrichtung und verfahren zur verarbeitung von eisenschmelze

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ES2010146A6 (es) * 1989-03-02 1989-10-16 Tecnigest Sa Procedimiento perfeccionado para la obtencion de alambron de cobre partiendo de chatarra.
CN110180817B (zh) * 2019-05-29 2023-09-08 西安热工研究院有限公司 一种化学仪表中固态电极的多相流清洗装置及清洗方法
CN114178492A (zh) * 2021-12-13 2022-03-15 昆明理工大学 一种将废弃材料放入连铸中间包再利用的方法

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3752215A (en) * 1970-11-12 1973-08-14 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Continuous casting apparatus for shaped metal bodies
US3788381A (en) * 1971-06-08 1974-01-29 British Iron Steel Research Metal refining process
US3807485A (en) * 1971-06-16 1974-04-30 B Paton Method of producing multi-layer metal ingots
US4133967A (en) * 1977-06-24 1979-01-09 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Interior Two-stage electric arc - electroslag process and apparatus for continuous steelmaking
US4533388A (en) * 1984-04-11 1985-08-06 Olin Corporation Technique for removing iron-rich components from a copper melt
US10232434B2 (en) 2000-11-15 2019-03-19 Ati Properties Llc Refining and casting apparatus and method
US7154932B2 (en) * 2000-11-15 2006-12-26 Ati Properties, Inc. Refining and casting apparatus
US8891583B2 (en) 2000-11-15 2014-11-18 Ati Properties, Inc. Refining and casting apparatus and method
US9008148B2 (en) 2000-11-15 2015-04-14 Ati Properties, Inc. Refining and casting apparatus and method
US7578960B2 (en) 2005-09-22 2009-08-25 Ati Properties, Inc. Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys
US7803212B2 (en) 2005-09-22 2010-09-28 Ati Properties, Inc. Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys
US7803211B2 (en) 2005-09-22 2010-09-28 Ati Properties, Inc. Method and apparatus for producing large diameter superalloy ingots
US20070062332A1 (en) * 2005-09-22 2007-03-22 Jones Robin M F Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys
US8216339B2 (en) 2005-09-22 2012-07-10 Ati Properties, Inc. Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys
US8221676B2 (en) 2005-09-22 2012-07-17 Ati Properties, Inc. Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys
US8226884B2 (en) 2005-09-22 2012-07-24 Ati Properties, Inc. Method and apparatus for producing large diameter superalloy ingots
US9453681B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2016-09-27 Ati Properties Llc Melting furnace including wire-discharge ion plasma electron emitter
US8642916B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2014-02-04 Ati Properties, Inc. Melting furnace including wire-discharge ion plasma electron emitter
US8748773B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2014-06-10 Ati Properties, Inc. Ion plasma electron emitters for a melting furnace
US20090139682A1 (en) * 2007-12-04 2009-06-04 Ati Properties, Inc. Casting Apparatus and Method
US8302661B2 (en) 2007-12-04 2012-11-06 Ati Properties, Inc. Casting apparatus and method
US8156996B2 (en) 2007-12-04 2012-04-17 Ati Properties, Inc. Casting apparatus and method
US7963314B2 (en) 2007-12-04 2011-06-21 Ati Properties, Inc. Casting apparatus and method
US7798199B2 (en) 2007-12-04 2010-09-21 Ati Properties, Inc. Casting apparatus and method
CN101941062B (zh) * 2010-10-08 2013-03-13 阎瑞河 一种立式连续浇铸大型环状铸坯的方法
CN101941062A (zh) * 2010-10-08 2011-01-12 阎瑞河 一种立式连续浇铸大型环状铸坯的方法及装置
US8747956B2 (en) 2011-08-11 2014-06-10 Ati Properties, Inc. Processes, systems, and apparatus for forming products from atomized metals and alloys
CN102605189A (zh) * 2012-03-22 2012-07-25 金川集团有限公司 一种电渣精炼技术制备铜及铜合金铸锭的方法
EP2940155A4 (de) * 2012-12-26 2016-08-03 Posco Vorrichtung und verfahren zur verarbeitung von eisenschmelze

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1912935A1 (de) 1970-09-24
FR2034930A7 (de) 1970-12-18
GB1242351A (en) 1971-08-11
JPS4840533B1 (de) 1973-12-01

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