WO2021015210A1 - Metal raw material melting device, molten metal melting and holding system, and metal raw material melting method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a metal raw material melting device which can be easily incorporated into a holding furnace, can be used safely, and can melt a metal raw material quickly and efficiently. [Solution] A metal raw material melting device (1) which is installed in a molten metal holding furnace (100) comprises: a drive unit that is disposed in a body (2) with a suction port (P1) and a discharge port (P6) connected by a communication path and drives the molten metal in the molten metal holding furnace (100) to be sucked from the suction port (P1) and discharged from the discharge port (P6); and a melting unit that is disposed in the body (2) and melts the metal raw material charged into the vortex formed by the drive unit driving the molten metal.

Description

Metal raw material melting device, metal molten metal melting and holding system and metal raw material melting method

The present invention relates to a metal raw material melting device, a metal molten metal melting and holding system, and a metal raw material melting method. Regarding the holding system and the method for dissolving the metal raw material.

Conventionally, non-ferrous metal melting and holding furnaces that melt and hold non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, and magnesium are (i) a type consisting of only the furnace body, and (ii) the inside of the furnace body is divided into two to increase the volume. The smaller one is the front furnace, (iii) the front furnace is equipped with a mechanical pump to melt and circulate non-ferrous metals, and (iv) the melting furnace is attached to the outside of the furnace body. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-76537

However, the above-mentioned conventional type i to iv melting and holding furnaces have the following problems.

In the case of type i, it is necessary to stir the molten metal in the furnace in order to homogenize the components of the molten metal and the temperature of the molten metal. However, since this stirring operation is performed manually, there is a problem that it is very dangerous.

In the case of type ii, a metal raw material such as aluminum chips is put into the front furnace and dissolved in the molten metal. However, since the molten metal in the furnace is not circulated, the temperature of the molten metal in the front furnace drops sharply as the metal raw material is added. Therefore, there is a problem that the dissolution efficiency of the metal raw material becomes very low.

In the case of type iii, since the molten metal in the furnace is circulated by the mechanical pump, the temperature of the molten metal does not drop significantly even if the metal raw material is added. However, due to the severe damage to the mechanical pump, the mechanical pump must be repaired or replaced in a relatively short period of time. Therefore, there is a problem that the running cost increases.

In the case of type iv, the metal raw material is put into the melting furnace externally attached to the furnace body. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a permanent magnet arranged on the outer periphery or below the melting furnace having a vortex chamber is rotationally driven. As a result, the molten metal in the vortex chamber is rotated by the eddy current to form a vortex. When a metal raw material such as chips is put into this vortex, the metal raw material is drawn into the vortex and melts in the molten metal. The molten metal in the furnace can be circulated without using a mechanical pump. However, there is a problem that the molten metal may leak from the connection portion between the furnace body and the melting furnace, or the molten metal may pop out from the vortex chamber. In addition, large-scale construction is required to make a hole in the wall of the furnace body to connect the melting furnace and to install a magnetic field device including a permanent magnet and its driving mechanism.

The present invention has been made based on the above technical recognition, and an object thereof is a metal raw material which can be easily incorporated into a holding furnace, can be used safely, and can dissolve a metal raw material quickly and efficiently. It is an object of the present invention to provide a melting device, a molten metal melting and holding system having the metal raw material melting device, and a metal raw material melting method using the metal raw material melting device.

The metal raw material melting apparatus according to the present invention is
A metal raw material melting device installed in a molten metal holding furnace.
A drive unit which is provided in a body in which a suction port and a discharge port are communicated with each other and drives the metal molten metal of the metal molten metal holding furnace to be sucked from the suction port and discharged from the discharge port.
A melting unit provided on the body and for dissolving the metal raw material charged into the vortex formed by the driving unit driving the molten metal.
With
The drive unit
A drive chamber unit formed in the middle of the passageway and having a drive chamber inlet and a drive chamber outlet,
A magnetic field device storage chamber formed in an upper portion of the drive chamber portion as a blind hole drilled from the top surface along the direction from the top surface to the bottom surface of the body.
A magnetic field device that is housed in the magnetic field device storage chamber and runs a magnetic field line in the vertical direction on the molten metal in the drive chamber.
A pair of drives are arranged so as to sandwich the drive chamber portion in a width direction intersecting the direction connecting the drive chamber inlet and the drive chamber outlet, and a current is passed in the width direction through the molten metal in the drive chamber portion. With electrodes
Have,
The melting portion has a vortex chamber formed from the top surface of the body until it communicates with the communication passage.
The vortex chamber has a metal raw material input port opened on the top surface of the body, a vortex chamber inlet opened on the side wall of the vortex chamber, and a vortex chamber outlet opened on the side wall of the vortex chamber.
The vortex chamber inlet and the vortex chamber outlet are tangential to the vortex chamber so that the metal molten metal flowing in from the vortex chamber inlet and flowing out from the vortex chamber outlet forms a vortex of the metal molten metal in the vortex chamber. It is provided at a position that opens along
The vortex chamber inlet communicates with the suction port of the body and the vortex chamber outlet communicates with the drive chamber inlet, or the vortex chamber inlet communicates with the drive chamber outlet and the vortex chamber outlet communicates with the body. It is characterized in communicating with the discharge port.

The method for dissolving a metal raw material according to the present invention is
A method for melting a metal raw material using a metal raw material melting device installed in a molten metal holding furnace. The metal raw material melting device is provided on a body in which a suction port and a discharge port are communicated with each other through a continuous passage. A drive unit that drives the molten metal of the molten metal holding furnace to be sucked from the suction port and discharged from the discharge port, and is provided on the body until it communicates from the top surface of the body to the communication passage. With a melting part having a vortex chamber
A step in which the drive unit drives the molten metal in the drive chamber of the body by Lorentz force and sucks the molten metal in the vortex chamber to form a vortex in the vortex chamber.
A step of charging a metal raw material into the formed vortex from a metal raw material input port opened on the top surface of the body and dissolving the metal raw material.
It is characterized by having.

It is a top view of the metal molten metal dissolution holding system which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view of the metal raw material melting apparatus which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the line II-II of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the line III-III of FIG. It is a top view of the body of the metal raw material melting apparatus which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the line II-II of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the line III-III of FIG. It is a partial sectional view of the magnetic field apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the IV-IV line of FIG. It is a top view of the metal molten metal dissolution holding system which concerns on embodiment in an operating state. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the line II-II of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the line III-III of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the longitudinal direction of the body which concerns on modification 1 of embodiment. It is a top view of the metal raw material melting apparatus which concerns on modification 2 of Embodiment. It is a top view of the metal raw material melting apparatus which concerns on modification 3 of embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the components having the same functions.

<Metal melt dissolution retention system>
First, the molten metal dissolution and holding system 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the metal molten metal melting and holding system 1000 includes a metal molten metal holding furnace 100 and a metal raw material melting device 1 installed in the metal molten metal holding furnace 100. In the following description, the molten metal holding furnace is also simply referred to as a “holding furnace”.

As will be described in detail later, the metal molten metal melting and holding system 1000 dissolves metal raw materials (aluminum chips, powdery raw materials, etc.) charged into the melting portion (vortex chamber 2A) of the metal raw material melting device 1 in the metal molten metal. At the same time, the molten metal driven by the driving unit of the metal raw material melting device 1 is discharged to the holding furnace 100 to perform in-furnace stirring.

The molten metal is a molten metal of a non-ferrous metal, and is a molten metal of a metal (for example, Al, Cu, Zn, Si) or an alloy (for example, an alloy composed of at least two of Al, Cu, Zn and Si, or a magnesium alloy). ..

As shown in FIG. 1, the metal raw material melting device 1 is installed along the side wall surface of the molten metal holding furnace 100. For example, the metal raw material melting device 1 is fixed to the side wall (outer wall) of the holding furnace 100 by using fastening members such as bolts and nuts.

The molten metal holding furnace 100 has a structure in which the upper side is open and all sides are surrounded by outer walls. A partition may be provided in the holding furnace 100, and the smaller volume may be used as the front furnace.

Note that the metal raw material melting device 1 is not limited to the case where it is installed along the side wall surface of the holding furnace 100 as shown in FIG. Depending on the size and shape of the holding furnace 100, the metal raw material melting device 1 may be installed at a position where the molten metal in the holding furnace 100 can be efficiently agitated.

Further, although only one metal raw material melting device 1 is installed in the holding furnace 100 in FIG. 1, a plurality of metal raw material melting devices 1 may be installed. For example, the metal raw material melting devices 1 may be installed at the two diagonal corners of the holding furnace 100, or the metal raw material melting devices 1 may be installed at the four corners of the holding furnace 100, respectively.

Further, when the holding furnace 100 has a front furnace, the metal raw material melting device 1 may be installed in the front furnace. Alternatively, even if a front furnace is provided, the metal raw material melting device 1 may be installed on the main bus instead of the front furnace.

<Metallic material melting device>
Next, the metal raw material melting apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11.

The metal raw material melting device 1 uses a Lorentz force to drive a molten metal and a metal raw material to be charged into a pulling vortex formed in the vortex chamber 2A by sucking the molten metal by the driving unit. It has a melting part that melts. The specific configurations of the driving unit and the melting unit will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the metal raw material melting device 1 is used for the body 2 made of a fireproof material, the magnetic field device 3 for applying a magnetic field to the molten metal flowing in the body 2, and the molten metal flowing in the body 2. It has a pair of electrodes 4 and 5 for passing an electric current, and a power supply device 6 connected to the electrodes 4 and 5 and outputting a predetermined electric current. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

First, the body 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the body 2. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG.

The body 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in the present embodiment, and is provided with a cylindrical hole-shaped vortex chamber 2A and a magnetic field device storage chamber 3B. The body 2 is made of a refractory material (eg, silicon carbide (SiC)).

The body 2 communicates the suction port P1 and the discharge port P6 with a communication passage. As shown in FIG. 6, this communication passage includes a vortex chamber inflow passage 2P, a vortex chamber 2A, a vortex chamber outflow passage 2Q, a drive chamber portion 2R, and an outflow passage 2S. Here, the vortex chamber inflow path 2P is a flow path that communicates the suction port P1 and the vortex chamber inlet P2. The vortex chamber outflow path 2Q is a flow path that communicates the vortex chamber outlet P3 and the drive chamber inlet P4. The outflow path 2S may be omitted if necessary.

In the present embodiment, the vortex chamber inlet P2 communicates with the suction port P1, and the vortex chamber outlet P3 communicates with the drive chamber inlet P4 of the drive chamber portion 2R.

The molten metal in the holding furnace 100 is sucked into the metal raw material melting device 1 from the suction port P1 and discharged from the discharge port P6 through the communication passage. More specifically, the molten metal sucked from the suction port P1 flows into the vortex chamber 2A through the vortex chamber inflow path 2P. The molten metal that has flowed into the vortex chamber 2A through the vortex chamber inflow path 2P swirls along the swirling vortex formed in the vortex chamber 2A, and then goes out from the vortex chamber outlet P3 to pass through the vortex chamber outflow path 2Q. It flows into the drive chamber 2R through the drive chamber. The molten metal that has flowed into the drive chamber 2R flows in the drive chamber 2R while receiving Lorentz force (described later), and is then discharged from the discharge port P6 to the outside of the body 2 through the outflow path 2S. As shown in FIG. 12, the molten metal discharged from the discharge port P6 circulates in the holding furnace 100.

The body 2 includes a drive unit that drives the molten metal of the molten metal holding furnace 100 to be sucked from the suction port P1 and discharged from the discharge port P6, and a melting unit that melts the metal raw material charged into the molten metal. Is provided. In the present embodiment, the melting portion is provided on the body 2 on the downstream side of the driving portion. The melting unit and the driving unit are integrally provided on the body 2. The details of the melting unit and the driving unit will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9, a cylindrical hole-shaped vortex chamber 2A is formed in the body 2. The vortex chamber 2A is configured to be bored from the top surface 2u of the body 2 until it communicates with the above-mentioned communication passage. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the vortex chamber 2A is formed in the shape of a cylindrical hole whose central axis is parallel in the vertical direction, and the bottom surface of the vortex chamber 2A is flat. The shape of the vortex chamber 2A is not limited to a columnar shape, and may be an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the vortex chamber 2A has a vortex chamber inlet P2 and a vortex chamber outlet P3 opened on the side wall of the cylindrical hole-shaped vortex chamber 2A, and a metal raw material input opened on the top surface 2u of the body 2. It has a mouth P7 and. As described above, in the present embodiment, unlike the conventional vortex chamber, the bottom surface of the vortex chamber is not provided with an outlet for discharging the molten metal from the vortex chamber. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a molten metal discharge path extending vertically downward from the bottom surface of the vortex chamber. Since the molten metal discharge path is not provided, a deep vortex chamber can be formed, and as a result, a deep vortex can be formed.

In the vortex chamber inlet P2 and the vortex chamber outlet P3, as shown in FIG. 6, the metal molten metal flowing in from the vortex chamber inlet P2 and flowing out from the vortex chamber outlet P3 forms a vortex of the metal molten metal in the vortex chamber 2A. , It is provided at a position where it opens along the tangential direction of the cylindrical hole-shaped vortex chamber 2A. More specifically, the vortex chamber inlet P2 is provided so that at least the outer side wall 2Ps1 of the side wall 2Ps1 and the side wall 2Ps2 of the vortex chamber inflow path 2P is smoothly connected to the side wall of the vortex chamber 2A. Similarly, the vortex chamber outlet P3 is provided so that at least the outer side wall 2Qs1 of the side wall 2Qs1 and the side wall 2Qs2 of the vortex chamber outflow path 2Q is smoothly connected to the side wall of the vortex chamber 2A. As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the side wall 2Ps1 and the side wall 2Qs1 are formed so as to extend along the tangential direction of the side wall of the columnar vortex chamber 2A.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, the body 2 is provided with a magnetic field device storage chamber 2B. The magnetic field device storage chamber 2B is formed in an upper portion of the drive chamber portion 2R as a blind hole drilled from the top surface 2u along the direction from the top surface 2u to the bottom surface 2w of the body 2. In the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B, a magnetic field device 3 that generates a magnetic field is housed in the drive chamber portion 2R.

A heat insulating layer (not shown) may be provided on the side surface 2Bs and / or the bottom surface 2Bb of the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B. As a result, the magnetic field device 3 can be suppressed from being heated by the heat of the molten metal or the like in the holding furnace 100, and the magnetic field strength can be maintained.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, two tubular portions 2C1 and 2C2 are provided on the bottom surface 2Bb of the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tubular portion 2C1 is projected from the bottom surface 2Bb so as to surround the opening of the molten metal pool portion ES1 in the bottom surface 2Bb of the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the electrode 4 is inserted into the tubular portion 2C1. Similarly, the tubular portion 2C2 is projected from the bottom surface 2Bb so as to surround the opening of the molten metal pool portion ES2 in the bottom surface 2Bb of the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B. Then, the electrode 5 is inserted into the tubular portion 2C2.

By providing such tubular portions 2C1 and 2C2, as shown in FIG. 14, the molten metal that has risen from the molten metal pools ES1 and ES2 according to the liquid level of the vortex chamber 2A leaks into the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B. Can be prevented.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, the body 2 is provided with a drive chamber portion 2R in which the molten metal is driven by Lorentz force. The drive chamber portion 2R is formed in the middle of the communication passage, and has a drive chamber inlet P4 and a drive chamber outlet P5.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the body 2 is provided with molten metal pools ES1 and ES2. The molten metal pool portion ES1 is provided in a concave shape on the side wall 2Rs1 of the drive chamber portion 2R, and communicates the side wall 2Rs1 of the drive chamber portion 2R with the bottom surface 2Bb of the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B. Similarly, the molten metal pool portion ES2 is provided in a concave shape on the side wall 2Rs2 of the drive chamber portion 2R, and communicates the side wall 2Rs2 of the drive chamber portion 2R with the bottom surface 2Bb of the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B.

The body 2 may be provided with an engaging portion (not shown) used when the metal raw material melting device 1 is installed or replaced in the holding furnace 100. For example, hooks are provided at a plurality of locations on the top surface 2u of the body 2.

Further, although the body 2 is integrally formed by using a refractory material in the present embodiment, it may be formed by combining a plurality of members.

Next, the magnetic field device 3 will be described.

The magnetic field device 3 is housed in the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B, and is configured to run magnetic field lines in the vertical direction on the molten metal in the drive chamber portion 2R.

As shown in FIG. 10, the magnetic field device 3 has a magnet body 31, a blower 32, and a storage container 33 for accommodating the magnet body 31.

The magnet body 31 is a permanent magnet having a substantially donut shape, and the lower surface and the upper surface are magnetized to form N poles and S poles (in FIG. 10, the lower surface is magnetized to the N pole and the upper surface is magnetized to the S pole). As a result, the magnetic field lines ML in the vertical direction run. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the magnetic field lines ML penetrate the refractory material that separates the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B and the drive chamber portion 2R, and reach the molten metal of the drive chamber portion 2R. As shown in FIG. 14, the Lorentz force acts on the molten metal due to the intersection of the magnetic field lines ML and the current I flowing between the electrodes 4 and 5, and the molten metal is driven from the drive chamber inlet P4 toward the drive chamber outlet P5. To.

The shape of the magnet body 31 is not limited to the donut shape, and may be another shape. For example, the magnet body 31 may be configured such that a plurality of permanent magnet bar magnets are arranged in the vertical direction so that the magnetic poles are aligned along the outer circumference of the blower pipe 32d.

Further, the magnet body 31 may be composed of an electromagnet. In this case, it is natural that the power consumption increases.

As shown in FIG. 10, the blower 32 has a blower 32a, a connection pipe 32b, a flexible connection pipe 32c, and a hollow blower pipe 32d penetrating the donut-shaped magnet body 31. The blower 32a sends cooling air to the upper end of the blower pipe 32d via the connection pipe 32b and the flexible connection pipe 32c. The air sent into the blower pipe 32d cools the magnet body 31 through the blower pipe 32d, and then, as shown in FIG. 10, is ejected from the lower end of the blower pipe 32d and blown onto the lower bottom 33c2 of the storage container 33. Reflects. The reflected air passes through the air hole H2 of the upper bottom 33c1 and passes through the side surface of the magnet body 31, and is discharged to the outside of the storage container 33 through the air hole H1. In this way, an air curtain is formed around the magnet body 31 by the air blown from the blower device 32. As a result, the magnet body 31 can be suppressed from being heated by the heat of the molten metal or the like in the holding furnace 100, and the magnetic field strength can be maintained.

As shown in FIG. 10, the storage container 33 has an outer cylinder 33a made of a non-magnetic member such as stainless steel and a heat-resistant material, and a heat insulating material cylinder 33b housed in a so-called nested state inside the outer cylinder 33a. And a stainless steel cylinder 33c.

The bottom of the innermost stainless steel cylinder 33c is a double bottom of an upper base 33c1 and a lower base 33c2. The inside of the stainless steel cylinder 33c is divided into an upper space and a lower space by the upper bottom 33c1. Further, the upper base 33c1 is provided with an air hole H2 that penetrates the upper base 33c1 and communicates the upper space and the lower space. The cooling air sent from the blower 32a to the lower space through the blower pipe 32d flows into the upper space through these air holes H2 and flows out from the air hole H1 to the outside. The air hole H1 is a communication between the hole 31da provided in the lid 33d of the outer cylinder 33a, the hole 31ea provided in the lid 33e of the heat insulating material cylinder 33b, and the hole 31fa provided in the lid 33f of the stainless steel cylinder 33c. It is configured as.

The magnetic field device 3 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the magnetic field device 3 may be composed of only permanent magnets. In this case, it is preferable to provide a heat insulating layer on the side surface 2Bs and the bottom surface 2Bb of the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B.

Further, the magnetic field device 3 may be housed in the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B so that the position can be adjusted along the vertical direction, so that the magnetic field strength in the drive chamber portion 2R can be adjusted. In this case, a moving means (not shown) for adjusting the vertical position of the magnetic field device 3 is provided. This moving means may move the storage container 33 in the vertical direction, or may not move the storage container 33 and move the magnet body 31 in the storage container 33 up and down along the blower pipe 32d. It may be something to make. The moving means may be, for example, a pedestal having a variable height, a plurality of types of pedestals having different heights, or a crane for suspending the magnetic field device 3 at a variable height.

By changing the vertical position of the magnetic field device 3 as described above, the magnetic field strength penetrating the molten metal in the drive chamber unit 2R can be changed, and the driving force (Lorentz force) of the driving unit can be adjusted. That is, as the magnetic field device 3 is moved downward (that is, closer to the bottom surface 2Bb of the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B), the magnetic field strength penetrating the molten metal in the drive chamber portion 2R increases, and the driving force increases. On the contrary, as the magnetic field device 3 is moved upward (that is, away from the bottom surface 2Bb of the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B), the magnetic field strength penetrating the molten metal in the drive chamber portion 2R becomes smaller, and the driving force becomes smaller.

By moving the magnetic field device 3 up and down as described above, the Lorentz force acting on the molten metal can be adjusted even when a constant current is passed between the electrodes 4 and 5. Thereby, for example, the driving force can be primarily adjusted by the current flowing through the electrodes 4 and 5, and then the driving force can be secondarily adjusted by the vertical position of the magnetic field device 3. As a result, the range of adjustment of the driving force can be expanded. In addition, the secondary adjustment can avoid an increase in power consumption and reduce the running cost.

Next, the pair of electrodes 4 and 5 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the pair of electrodes 4 and 5 have the drive chamber portion 2R in the width direction of the drive chamber portion 2R (that is, the direction intersecting the direction connecting the drive chamber inlet P4 and the drive chamber outlet P5). It is arranged so as to sandwich. The electrodes 4 and 5 are electrodes for passing an electric current in the width direction of the drive chamber portion 2R via the molten metal in the drive chamber portion 2R.

As shown in FIG. 14, the electrode 4 is arranged so as to come into contact with the molten metal that has flowed from the drive chamber portion 2R into the molten metal pool portion ES1 in the used state. Similarly, the electrode 5 is arranged so as to come into contact with the molten metal that has flowed from the drive chamber portion 2R into the molten metal pool portion ES2 in the used state. In this way, the electrodes 4 and 5 are arranged so as to be immersed in the molten metal in the molten metal pools ES1 and ES2, so that a current in the width direction flows through the molten metal in the drive chamber 2R. .. With such a configuration, according to the present embodiment, the electrode, which is a consumable item, can be easily replaced.

The tips of the electrodes 4 and 5 (the parts that come into contact with the molten metal) are made of an abrasion-resistant material such as tungsten.

The shapes of the electrodes 4 and 5 are not limited to the round bar shape in the present embodiment, but may be other shapes such as a flat plate shape, a comb shape, and a net shape. Further, the electrodes 4 and 5 may be composed of a plurality of electrode rods electrically connected to each other.

Next, the power supply device 6 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply device 6 controls a DC power supply 61 connected to electrodes 4 and 5 via wiring 7 and a control unit (power supply control panel) that controls the DC power supply 61 to output a predetermined current. 62 and.

The control unit 62 responds to the discharge amount of the molten metal required to sufficiently agitate the molten metal in the holding furnace 100, the depth of the vortex required to efficiently dissolve the metal raw material in the vortex chamber 2A, and the like. The magnitude of the current output by the DC power supply 61 is determined.

The control unit 62 may change the magnitude of the current output to the electrodes 4 and 5 according to the liquid level of the molten metal in the holding furnace 100. In this case, the liquid level of the molten metal is measured by a known measuring means using a floating body or the like.

More specifically, the control unit 62 controls the DC power supply 61 so as to increase the current when the liquid level of the molten metal in the holding furnace 100 is lower than a predetermined level. When the liquid level is low, the liquid level in the vortex chamber 2A is also low, so that the vortex in the vortex chamber 2A becomes shallow and the dissolution efficiency of the metal raw material is lowered. However, by increasing the current when the liquid level drops, the drive unit sucks the molten metal in the vortex chamber 2A into the drive chamber 2R with a stronger force, so that the molten metal in the vortex chamber 2A swirls faster. The vortex of the vortex chamber 2A can be deepened. When the liquid level of the molten metal in the holding furnace 100 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the control unit 62 may control the DC power supply 61 so as to reduce the current. As a result, power consumption can be suppressed.

Note that the operator may manually adjust the output of the DC power supply 61.

Further, a pulse power supply may be used instead of the DC power supply 61.

Next, a drive unit and a melting unit composed of the above-described configurations (body 2, magnetic field device 3, electrodes 4, 5 and power supply device 6) will be described.

[Drive part]
First, the drive unit that drives the molten metal will be described.

The drive unit includes a drive chamber unit 2R, a magnetic field device storage chamber 2B, a magnetic field device 3, a pair of electrodes 4 and 5, and a power supply device 6.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the magnetic field line ML output from the magnetic field device 3 (magnet body 31) runs in the vertical direction, penetrates the fireproof material separating the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B and the drive chamber portion 2R, and drives. It reaches the molten metal of Murobe 2R. Further, the current I flowing between the electrodes 4 and 5 flows in the molten metal of the drive chamber portion 2R in the width direction.

Lorentz force acts on the molten metal of the drive chamber 2R due to the intersection of the magnetic field lines ML and the current I. As a result, the molten metal of the drive chamber portion 2R is driven from the drive chamber inlet P4 toward the drive chamber outlet P5. By driving by this Lorentz force, the molten metal of the holding furnace 100 is sucked into the body 2 from the suction port P1, forms a vortex in the vortex chamber 2A, flows through the drive chamber portion 2R, and is discharged from the discharge port P6. ..

As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the molten metal in the holding furnace 100 is agitated along the flow F. As described above, the metal raw material melting device 1 (driving unit) functions as a pump for stirring the molten metal in the holding furnace 100.

Further, the molten metal in the drive chamber 2R is driven toward the discharge port P6 by the Lorentz force, so that the molten metal in the vortex chamber 2A is sucked and a spiral pulling vortex is formed in the vortex chamber 2A. Become.

As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the width of the vortex chamber outflow path 2Q may be widened from the vortex chamber outlet P3 to the drive chamber inlet P4. As a result, the width of the drive chamber portion 2R is widened, and the current path between the electrodes 4 and 5 can be lengthened. As a result, the Lorentz force acting on the molten metal is increased, and the driving force of the molten metal by the driving unit can be improved.

[Dissolved part]
Next, a melting portion that dissolves the metal raw material charged into the molten metal will be described.

The melting portion has a vortex chamber 2A formed in the body 2. In the molten metal of the vortex chamber 2A, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the molten metal of the vortex chamber 2A is pulled by the suction force of the driving unit, and a spiral pulling vortex V is formed in the vortex chamber 2A. The molten metal flowing in from the vortex chamber inlet P2 descends along the spiral of the pulling vortex V, flows out from the vortex chamber outlet P3 provided in the lower part of the vortex chamber 2A, and heads for the drive chamber portion 2R.

By charging a metal raw material (aluminum chips or the like for molten aluminum) into the spiral vortex formed in the vortex chamber 2A in this way from the metal raw material input port P7, the metal raw material is rapidly dissolved in the molten metal. Can be done.

The material to be charged into the vortex chamber 2A (dissolution target) may be a material having a relatively small specific gravity, light weight and easy floating, such as chips or powdery materials.

As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom surface 2Pb of the vortex chamber inflow path 2P may be located at a position higher than the bottom surface 2Ab of the vortex chamber 2A. As a result, the bottom portion of the vortex is suppressed from being disturbed by the molten metal flowing in from the vortex chamber inlet P2, so that the vortex is clearly and deeply formed in the vortex chamber 2A. As a result, the dissolution efficiency of the metal raw material can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the height of the bottom surface 2Pb of the vortex chamber inlet P2 may be the same as the height of the upper end of the vortex chamber outlet P3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the vortex chamber outlet P3 may be provided so that its lower end is in contact with the bottom surface 2Ab of the vortex chamber 2A. As a result, a deeper vortex can be formed for the same liquid level, and the dissolution efficiency of the metal raw material can be improved. Further, it is possible to prevent the molten metal in the vortex chamber 2A from remaining in the vortex chamber 2A when the operation of the metal raw material melting device 1 is stopped.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the width of the vortex chamber inflow path 2P may be narrowed as it progresses from the suction port P1 to the vortex chamber inlet P2. As a result, the flow velocity of the molten metal flowing into the vortex chamber 2A increases, and a firm vortex can be formed in the vortex chamber 2A.

<Effect>
As described above, the metal raw material melting device 1 according to the present embodiment is installed and used in the holding furnace 100, and the driving unit that drives the molten metal using Lorentz force is downstream of the melting unit. It is provided on the side and is configured to suck the molten metal of the vortex chamber 2A. As a result, a deep and firm pulling vortex is formed in the vortex chamber 2A. Therefore, even if the metal raw material input from the metal raw material input port P7 has a relatively light apparent specific gravity such as chips or powder, it is spirally drawn into the vortex and efficiently into the molten metal. Dissolves well. Further, since the molten metal whose temperature has dropped due to the input of the metal raw material is discharged from the discharge port P6 and the hot metal molten metal is sucked from the suction port P1, the temperature of the molten metal in the vortex chamber 2A is maintained at a high temperature. , The input metal raw material can be melted quickly.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the magnetic field device 3 is arranged above the drive chamber portion 2R, the flow path of the molten metal can be provided at a low position of the body 2. As a result, the vortex chamber outlet P3 can be provided at a low position, and a deep vortex can be formed in the vortex chamber 2A. As a result, the metal raw material can be efficiently melted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, metal raw materials such as aluminum chips can be dissolved quickly and efficiently.

Further, according to the present embodiment, as in the case of a conventional melting furnace externally attached to the holding furnace, a hole is made in the wall of the holding furnace to connect the melting furnace, or the holding furnace or the side wall of the melting furnace or the side wall of the melting furnace. There is no need for large-scale remodeling work to install a magnetic field device near the bottom wall, and it can be easily incorporated into an existing holding furnace simply by installing the metal raw material melting device 1 in the holding furnace. As a result, the construction cost can be significantly reduced.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since there is no risk of molten metal leaking from the joint portion between the melting furnace and the holding furnace, it can be used extremely safely as compared with the conventional case. Further, even when the molten metal is ejected from the vortex chamber 2A, the molten metal that has ejected stays in the holding furnace 100 because the metal raw material melting device 1 is arranged in the holding furnace 100, and the safety is not impaired.

Further, the metal raw material melting device 1 according to the present embodiment is a pump or a pump that agitates the molten metal in the holding furnace 100 by discharging the molten metal sucked from the vortex chamber 2A into the holding furnace 100 from the discharge port P6. It also functions as a stirrer. Since the installation position of the metal raw material melting device 1 in the holding furnace 100 is not particularly limited, select a position (such as a corner of the holding furnace) where the metal raw material is melted or the metal molten metal is stirred most efficiently, and the metal raw material melting device is used. 1 can be installed.

Further, since the metal raw material melting device 1 of the present embodiment is configured as an all-in-one type including the magnetic field device 3, the metal raw material melting device 1 is taken out from the holding furnace 100 at the time of failure or cleaning of the metal raw material melting device 1. All you have to do is replace it with a new one. The metal raw material melting device 1 can be taken out and cleaned easily for removing slag of non-ferrous metal adhering to the suction port P1 and the discharge port P6. Further, even if a problem occurs in the metal raw material melting device 1, the metal raw material melting device 1 can be taken out from the holding furnace 100 and repaired. Even during the repair, the loss due to downtime can be minimized by installing the spare metal raw material melting device 1 in the holding furnace 100 or performing the molten metal stirring work by the conventional method.

Further, since the metal raw material melting device 1 is arranged so that the bottom surface 2w of the body 2 is in contact with the bottom surface of the holding furnace 100, the bottom surface of the vortex chamber 2A is at a lower position than the conventional external vortex chamber. As a result, even if the liquid level of the molten metal in the holding furnace 100 fluctuates, the amount of molten metal required to form a vortex in the vortex chamber 2A can be secured, and it is possible to avoid a large decrease in the melting capacity.

Further, since the metal raw material melting device 1 according to the present embodiment can be installed at any position in the holding furnace 100, even if the holding furnace 100 has a front furnace, the volume of the front furnace is small. It is not necessary to install the metal raw material melting device 1 in the above. That is, since the volume of the front furnace is small, the temperature of the molten metal drops sharply depending on the position where the raw material is charged. However, by installing the metal raw material melting device 1 in the main bath with a large volume, the temperature drops when the raw material is charged. Can be prevented and the metal raw material can be dissolved efficiently.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the magnetic field device 3 uses a permanent magnet, the power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the case of the electromagnet, and the structure of the magnetic field device 3 can be simplified.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the dissolution efficiency can be significantly improved as compared with the conventional case. Moreover, since the Lorentz force of the permanent magnet is used, the power consumption can be significantly reduced. Therefore, in the case of a 100-ton furnace as an example, a stirring device having an output of 300 to 500 kW was conventionally required for stirring in the furnace, but according to the present embodiment, the stirring device is unnecessary and the stirring device is less than 10 kW. By operating the metal raw material melting device 1 with electric power, stirring in the furnace can be sufficiently performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the molten metal in the furnace is agitated without using the mechanical pump, it is not necessary to perform maintenance on the mechanical pump. Therefore, the maintainability can be improved and the running cost can be significantly reduced.

Further, the metal raw material melting device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a magnetic field device 3 in the body 2, and the bottom surface 2Bb of the magnetic field device storage chamber 2B is obtained in advance so that a predetermined magnetic field strength can be obtained in the drive chamber portion 2R. The thickness etc. is designed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when incorporating the metal raw material melting device 1 into the holding furnace, the thickness of the wall of the holding furnace is adjusted as in the case where the magnetic field device is installed near the side wall or the bottom wall of the holding furnace. It is not necessary to adjust or set the magnetic field strength of the magnetic field device 3 in consideration.

In addition, since the side walls and bottom wall of the holding furnace are generally thick, the magnetic field strength of the magnetic field device 3 is considerably increased in order to arrange the magnetic field device outside the holding furnace and drive the molten metal in the furnace with sufficient driving force. This is inevitable, and the size and cost of the magnetic field device 3 are inevitably increased. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the metal raw material melting device 1 has a built-in magnetic field device 3, and the magnetic field device 3 and the drive chamber 2R are arranged in the body 2 so as to be separated by a relatively thin fireproof material wall. Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient driving force with a relatively small magnetic field strength, and it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the magnetic field device as compared with the conventional external type magnetic field device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the Lorentz force is used as a driving force for drawing and melting the metal raw material charged into the metal raw material input port P7 into the molten metal. Therefore, by adjusting at least one of the current and the magnetic field strength, a desired attractive force can be generated and a vortex can be formed in the vortex chamber 2A. For example, the suction force of the molten metal is adjusted by adjusting the magnitude of the current output by the DC power supply 61 (primary adjustment) and then adjusting the magnetic field strength in the drive chamber 2R (secondary adjustment). be able to. By providing a plurality of means for adjusting the magnetic field strength in this way, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily adjust the driving force of the molten metal and widen the range of adjusting the driving force. it can. Further, by bringing the permanent magnet closer to the drive chamber portion 2R, the driving force can be increased without increasing the current. That is, by performing the secondary adjustment, the running cost can be suppressed as compared with the primary adjustment.

As described above, in this embodiment, the magnitude of the driving force can be adjusted by two parameters of current and magnetic field strength. Here, the driving force (Lorentz force) does not have to be large, but it is desirable to set the value to an appropriate size for each system in order to efficiently dissolve the metal raw material. According to the present embodiment, since the driving force can be adjusted by two parameters (that is, current and magnetic field strength), the driving force can be easily set to an appropriate magnitude according to the system.

Next, modifications 1 to 3 of the metal raw material melting apparatus according to the above-described embodiment will be described. The same effect as described above can be obtained by any of the modified examples.

<Modification example 1>
In the metal raw material melting device 1A according to this modification, as shown in FIG. 16, the central axis of the shape of the vortex chamber 2A is tilted by a predetermined angle from the vertical direction. As a result, raw materials such as chips can be easily taken in by the vortex. More specifically, since the vortex chamber 2A is provided at an angle, a part of the vortex of the molten metal collapses near the top thereof and covers the metal raw material charged into the vortex chamber 2A. As a result, metal raw materials such as aluminum chips can be dissolved more efficiently.

<Modification 2>
In the metal raw material melting device 1B according to this modification, as shown in FIG. 17, a drive unit is provided not only on the downstream side of the vortex chamber 2A but also on the upstream side of the vortex chamber 2A. That is, in this modification, the body 2 is provided with two drive units with the vortex chamber 2A interposed therebetween. As a result, the driving force of the molten metal is further increased, so that a firm and deep vortex can be formed in the vortex chamber 2A, and the molten metal in the holding furnace 100 can be agitated with a large stirring force.

In this modification, the vortex chamber inlet P2 communicates with the drive chamber outlet P5B of the drive chamber portion 2RB on the upstream side, and the vortex chamber outlet P3 communicates with the drive chamber inlet P4 of the drive chamber portion 2R on the downstream side.

The driving force of the driving unit provided on the upstream side of the vortex chamber 2A may be smaller than the driving force of the driving unit provided on the downstream side of the vortex chamber 2A. As a result, a pulling vortex can be formed in the vortex chamber 2A while increasing the driving force. To adjust the driving force, the magnitude of the current flowing between the electrodes 4B and 5B of the driving unit provided on the upstream side of the vortex chamber 2A is adjusted between the electrodes 4 and 5 of the driving unit provided on the downstream side of the vortex chamber 2A. The height of the magnetic field device 3 of the drive unit provided on the upstream side of the vortex chamber 2A should be smaller than the current flowing through the vortex chamber 2A, and / or the height of the magnetic field device 3 of the drive unit provided on the downstream side of the vortex chamber 2A. This can be done by increasing the value (that is, decreasing the magnetic field strength of the drive chamber 2R).

<Modification example 3>
In the metal raw material melting device 1C according to this modification, as shown in FIG. 18, a drive unit is provided on the upstream side of the vortex chamber 2A instead of the downstream side of the vortex chamber 2A. In this modification, the vortex chamber inlet P2 communicates with the drive chamber outlet P5B of the drive chamber portion 2RB on the upstream side, and the vortex chamber outlet P3 communicates with the discharge port P6B of the body 2.

The embodiments and modifications according to the present invention have been described above. As described above, the metal raw material melting apparatus according to the present invention is configured as an all-in-one type. That is, the metal raw material melting device according to the present invention is configured as a single unit complete assembly, and functions as a melting furnace and also as a stirrer by itself without requiring any other members or devices. To do. Therefore, the metal raw material melting apparatus according to the present invention is extremely useful for industrial use.

Based on the above description, those skilled in the art may be able to conceive of additional effects and various modifications of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various additions, changes and partial deletions are possible without departing from the conceptual idea and purpose of the present invention derived from the contents defined in the claims and their equivalents.

1,1A, 1B, 1C Metal raw material melting device 2 Body 2A Vortex chamber 2Ab Bottom surface 2B Magnetic field device storage chamber 2Bb Bottom surface 2C1,2C2 Cylinder 2P Vortex chamber inflow path 2Pb Bottom surface 2Q Vortex chamber outflow path 2R Drive chamber 2Rs1,2Rs2 Side wall 2S Outflow path 2u Top surface (of body) 2w Bottom surface (of body) 3 Magnetic field device 31 Magnet body 32 Blower 32a Blower 32b Connection pipe 32c Flexible connection pipe 32d Blower pipe 33 Storage container 33a Outer cylinder 33b Insulation material cylinder 33c Stainless steel cylinder 33c1 Upper bottom 33c2 Lower bottom 33d, 33e, 33f Lid 33da, 33ea, 33fa Holes 4, 4B, 5, 5B Electrode 6 Power supply device 61 DC power supply 62 Control unit 7 Wiring 100 Metal molten metal holding furnace 1000 Metal molten metal melting holding system ES1, ES2 Molten metal pool F (of metal molten metal) Flow H1, H2 Air hole I Current M Metal molten metal P1 Suction port P2 Swirl chamber inlet P3 Swirl chamber outlet P4 Drive chamber inlet P5 Drive chamber outlet P6 Discharge port P7 Metal raw material inlet S, T space V (of the vortex chamber) vortex

Claims (15)

1. A metal raw material melting device installed in a molten metal holding furnace.
   A drive unit which is provided in a body in which a suction port and a discharge port are communicated with each other and drives the metal molten metal of the metal molten metal holding furnace to be sucked from the suction port and discharged from the discharge port.
   A melting unit provided on the body and for dissolving the metal raw material charged into the vortex formed by the driving unit driving the molten metal.
   With
   The drive unit
   A drive chamber unit formed in the middle of the passageway and having a drive chamber inlet and a drive chamber outlet,
   A magnetic field device storage chamber formed in an upper portion of the drive chamber portion as a blind hole drilled from the top surface along the direction from the top surface to the bottom surface of the body.
   A magnetic field device that is housed in the magnetic field device storage chamber and runs a magnetic field line in the vertical direction on the molten metal in the drive chamber.
   A pair of drive chamber portions are arranged so as to sandwich the drive chamber portion in a width direction intersecting the direction connecting the drive chamber inlet and the drive chamber outlet, and a current is passed in the width direction through the molten metal in the drive chamber portion. With electrodes
   Have,
   The melting portion has a vortex chamber formed from the top surface of the body until it communicates with the communication passage.
   The vortex chamber has a metal raw material input port opened on the top surface of the body, a vortex chamber inlet opened on the side wall of the vortex chamber, and a vortex chamber outlet opened on the side wall of the vortex chamber.
   The vortex chamber inlet and the vortex chamber outlet are tangential to the vortex chamber so that the metal molten metal flowing in from the vortex chamber inlet and flowing out from the vortex chamber outlet forms a vortex of the metal molten metal in the vortex chamber. It is provided at a position that opens along
   The vortex chamber inlet communicates with the suction port of the body and the vortex chamber outlet communicates with the drive chamber inlet, or the vortex chamber inlet communicates with the drive chamber outlet and the vortex chamber outlet communicates with the body. A metal raw material melting device characterized by communicating with the discharge port.
2. The metal raw material melting device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the vortex chamber inflow path communicating the suction port and the vortex chamber inlet is located at a position higher than the bottom surface of the vortex chamber.
3. The metal raw material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the width of the vortex chamber outflow path communicating the vortex chamber outlet and the drive chamber inlet increases from the vortex chamber outlet to the drive chamber inlet. Melting device.
4. The metal raw material melting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vortex chamber outlet is provided so that its lower end is in contact with the bottom surface of the vortex chamber.
5. The metal raw material melting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body is made of an integral refractory material.
6. The magnetic field device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the magnetic field device is housed in the magnetic field device storage chamber so as to be adjustable in position along the vertical direction, and the magnetic field strength in the drive chamber portion can be adjusted. The metal raw material melting apparatus described.
7. The body
   A first molten metal pool that communicates the first side wall of the drive chamber with the bottom surface of the magnetic field device storage chamber, and
   A second molten metal pool that communicates the second side wall of the drive chamber with the bottom surface of the magnetic field device storage chamber, and
   Is provided,
   The first electrode, which is one of the pair of electrodes, is arranged so as to come into contact with the molten metal that has flowed from the drive chamber to the first molten metal pool.
   The second electrode, which is the other electrode of the pair of electrodes, is arranged so as to come into contact with the molten metal that has flowed from the drive chamber portion into the second molten metal pool portion. The metal raw material melting apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6.
8. The body
   A first tubular portion that is projected from the bottom surface and into which the first electrode is inserted so as to surround the opening of the first molten metal pool portion on the bottom surface of the magnetic field device storage chamber.
   A second tubular portion that is projected from the bottom surface and into which the second electrode is inserted so as to surround the opening of the second molten metal pool portion on the bottom surface of the magnetic field device storage chamber.
   The metal raw material melting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the metal raw material melting apparatus is provided.
9. The magnetic field device includes a permanent magnet whose bottom surface and upper surface are magnetized, a hollow blower tube penetrating the permanent magnet, and a blower that sends cooling air to one end of the blower tube.
   According to claim 7 or 8, the air ejected from the other end of the blower pipe and blown and reflected on the bottom surface of the magnetic field device storage chamber passes through the side surface of the permanent magnet to form an air curtain. The metal raw material melting apparatus described.
10. The metal raw material melting device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a heat insulating layer is provided on the side surface and / or the bottom surface of the magnetic field device storage chamber.
11. The metal raw material melting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the central axis of the vortex chamber is tilted at a predetermined angle from the vertical direction.
12. A power supply electrically connected to the pair of electrodes and
    A power supply device including a control unit that controls the power supply and outputs a current is provided.
    The metal raw material melting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit changes the magnitude of the electric current according to the liquid level of the molten metal in the molten metal holding furnace.
13. The metal raw material melting device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit raises the current when the liquid level is lower than a predetermined level.
14. The metal raw material melting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
    A metal molten metal holding furnace in which the metal raw material melting device is installed, and
    A metal molten metal melting and holding system characterized by being provided with.
15. A method for melting a metal raw material using a metal raw material melting device installed in a molten metal holding furnace. The metal raw material melting device is provided on a body in which a suction port and a discharge port are communicated with each other through a continuous passage. A drive unit that drives the molten metal of the molten metal holding furnace to be sucked from the suction port and discharged from the discharge port, and is provided on the body until it communicates from the top surface of the body to the communication passage. With a melting part having a vortex chamber
    A step in which the drive unit drives the molten metal in the drive chamber of the body by Lorentz force and sucks the molten metal in the vortex chamber to form a vortex in the vortex chamber.
    A step of charging a metal raw material into the formed vortex from a metal raw material input port opened on the top surface of the body and dissolving the metal raw material.
    A method for dissolving a metal raw material, which comprises the above.

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