GB2140826A - Metal treatment process - Google Patents
Metal treatment process Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2140826A GB2140826A GB08413178A GB8413178A GB2140826A GB 2140826 A GB2140826 A GB 2140826A GB 08413178 A GB08413178 A GB 08413178A GB 8413178 A GB8413178 A GB 8413178A GB 2140826 A GB2140826 A GB 2140826A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- metal
- receptacle
- reactive material
- reaction
- mass
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 20
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 4
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910044991 metal oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 150000004706 metal oxides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910000861 Mg alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 for example Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N magnesium oxide Inorganic materials [Mg]=O CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000395 magnesium oxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- AXZKOIWUVFPNLO-UHFFFAOYSA-N magnesium;oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O-2].[Mg+2] AXZKOIWUVFPNLO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002923 metal particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009257 reactivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007670 refining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002893 slag Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F27—FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
- F27D—DETAILS OR ACCESSORIES OF FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS, IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE OF KINDS OCCURRING IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF FURNACE
- F27D3/00—Charging; Discharging; Manipulation of charge
- F27D3/0025—Charging or loading melting furnaces with material in the solid state
- F27D3/0026—Introducing additives into the melt
-
- 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
- C22B9/05—Refining by treating with gases, e.g. gas flushing also refining by means of a material generating gas in situ
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to metal treatment and comprises directing the vapour of a vapourised reactive material via a nozzle (4) against the surface (8) of the mass (9) of metal to be treated while the metal is in a molten state, then after a sufficient elapse of time to allow the reaction to be completed, evacuating the space above the surface (8) of the treated metal (9) to remove the products of the reaction. The invention also provides an apparatus which comprises a container (1) having a refractory lining (2) for holding metal (9) to be refined and a receptacle (3) for receiving reactive material, the receptacle (3) formed with an output nozzle (4), being movable towards and from the top of the container (1). <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Metal treatment process
This invention relates to an improved process of metal treatment and particularly to an improved process for refining and de-oxidising metals, particularly in the vacuum induction melting (V.l.M.) process.
It is known to treat, e.g. de-oxidise a metal by adding to a molten pool of the metal materials which react readily with constituents of the metal, for example, metal oxides. An example of such a reactive material is magnesium. In an existing method of de-oxidising a metal a reactive material, e.g. magnesium alloy is added to a molten pool of the metal to be treated as particles which first of all melt in the heat of the pool then vaporise' or combine with oxygen in the pool and produce magnesium oxide. During this operation the pressure above the metal surface must be at least 10 torr to prevent boiling of the magnesium.
When the reaction is nearly or fully complete the pressure is lowered above the surface of the treated metal to draw off the magnesium vapour. This process suffers from a major disadvantage in that there can be no control over the rate of vaporisation and reaction of the magnesium which can produce violent ebullition of the molten metal being treated as the reaction takes place below the surface.
It is desirable that any such reaction should be performed not within the pool of molten metal under treatment but on the surface of the pool and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of and apparatus for treating, e.g. for de-oxidising a metal in this manner.
A method of treating metal according to the invention comprises causing a quantity of reactive material to vaporize, directing the vapour of the reactive material against the surface of the mass of metal to be treated while the metal is in a molten state, then after a sufficient elapse of time to allow the reaction to be completed evacuating the space above the surface of the treated metal to remove the products of the reaction.
The reactive material may be caused to vaporise by advancing it towards the mass of molten metal to be treated to cause the reactive material to absorb heat from the molten metal, Alternatively or additionally the reactive material may be caused to absorb heat from a source other than the mass of molten metal.
Apparatus for performing the process may comprise a container having a refractory lining for holding metal to be refined and a receptacle for receiving reactive material movable towards and from the opening in the top of the receptacle, said receptacle being formed with a discharge nozzle the entry of which is within the receptacle and the outlet of which is in the bottom of the receptacle and means for moving the receptacle towards and from the open top of the container.
The receptacle may incorporate means for heating the contents of the receptacle. Such means may comprise electrical resistance heating coils or electrical induction heating coils.
The means for moving the receptacle may be arranged to move the receptacle vertically towards and from the container or to move the receptacle sideways across the top of the container. The discharge nozzle may be formed as a venturi-shaped passage having a main diverging portion directed downstream from the throat towards the opening of the container.
Apparatus for performing the process is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which 1 denotes a container having a refractory lining 2, 3 denotes a receptacle formed with a nozzle 4 the entry end 5 of which is within the receptacle and the discharge end 6 of which is at the bottom of the receptacle. In the construction illustrated the nozzle has the shape of a venturi. 7 denotes means for lowering and raising the receptacle 3 towards and from the surface 8 of a bath 9 of molten metal in the container 1. 10 denotes electrical heating coils surrounding the receptacle 3. It is to be understood that these coils are an optical feature of the apparatus. The container 1 and the receptacle 3 are located within a closed furnace structure capable of being evacuated. A portion of the wall of the furnace structure is indicated at 11.
In practice, to treat the metal of the bath 9, e.g. to de-oxidise it, the receptacle 3 is charged with a quantity of a de-oxidising metal such as magnesium preferably in the form of discrete particles of the metal. When the metal bath is at the desired temperature the receptacle 3 is lowered towards the surface of the bath 9 so that the heat from the surface of the bath penetrates into the receptacle 3 and causes the reactive metal therein first to melt and then to vaporise. Alternatively or additionally the coils 10 may be energized to heat the reactive metal. Because of the rise of pressure within the receptacle 3 as the reactive metal vaporises a jet of metal vapour issues from the nozzle 4 and impinges against the surface 8 of the molten metal of the bath 9. The reactive metal reduces metal oxides of lower reactivity at the surface of the metal bath and prevents the surface 8 of the metal of the bath from further oxidising because of reactive metal in vapour form such as magnesium is more reactive with oxygen than the metals normally processed by this method.
Thus the oxygen combines with the reactive metal in preference to forming a slag on the surface of the bath metal itself. When the reaction is complete the pressure is reduced in the interior of the furnace structure to remove the reaction products which are in vapour form within the furnace structure.
Claims (12)
1. A method of treating metal, which method comprises the steps of causing a quantity of reactive material to vaporize, directing the vapour of the reactive material against the surface of the mass of metal to be treated while the metal is in a molten state, then after a sufficient elapse of time to allow the reaction to be completed evacuating the space above the surface of the treated metal to remove the products of the reaction.
2. A method according to claim 1 which includes the step of advancing the reactive material towards the mass of molten metal so as to absorb sufficient heat indirectly therefrom to vapourize said reactive material.
3. A method according to claim 1 which includes the step of supplying thermal energy to said reactive material from a separate heat source independent of the molten metal.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the reactive material vapour is directed through a venturi nozzle.
5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein is used as the reactive material, magnesium.
6. Apparatus suitable for use in the method of claim 1 which apparatus comprises a furnace having a furnace chamber with a vessel for holding molten metal under treatment in use of the apparatus, and a receptacle for said reactive material said receptacle having a discharge outlet formed and arranged for conveying vapourized reactive material from the interior of said receptacle and directing it towards the open top of said vessel, in use of said apparatus.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said receptacle is movably mounted on a support means formed and arranged so that said receptacle is movable towards and away from said open top of said vessel.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said receptacle is provided with a separate heat source formed and arranged for vapourization of said reactive material in use of said apparatus.
9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein said receptacle is substantially enclosed and is provided with a nozzle means having an upstream end in the interior of said receptacle in an upper part and a downwardly facing downstream end.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said nozzle means includes a venturi throat.
11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein is provided a gas exhaustion means formed and arranged for evacuating gas from said furnace chamber, in use of the apparatus, after reaction of the reactive material with the mass of molten metal.
12. A method of treating metal substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to the accompanying drawing.
1 3. Apparatus for use in treating metal substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to the accompanying drawing.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08413178A GB2140826B (en) | 1983-05-24 | 1984-05-23 | Metal treatment process |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB838314299A GB8314299D0 (en) | 1983-05-24 | 1983-05-24 | Metal treatment process |
| GB08413178A GB2140826B (en) | 1983-05-24 | 1984-05-23 | Metal treatment process |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8413178D0 GB8413178D0 (en) | 1984-06-27 |
| GB2140826A true GB2140826A (en) | 1984-12-05 |
| GB2140826B GB2140826B (en) | 1986-10-15 |
Family
ID=26286212
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08413178A Expired GB2140826B (en) | 1983-05-24 | 1984-05-23 | Metal treatment process |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2140826B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2242202A (en) * | 1990-01-05 | 1991-09-25 | Fischer Ag Georg | Improvements in or relating to the treatment of metal melts |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB960038A (en) * | 1962-05-29 | 1964-06-10 | Norman David Weiss | Treatment of molten metals |
| GB972708A (en) * | 1961-06-27 | 1964-10-14 | Internat Meehanite Metal Compa | Improvements relating to the manufacture of cast iron |
-
1984
- 1984-05-23 GB GB08413178A patent/GB2140826B/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB972708A (en) * | 1961-06-27 | 1964-10-14 | Internat Meehanite Metal Compa | Improvements relating to the manufacture of cast iron |
| GB960038A (en) * | 1962-05-29 | 1964-06-10 | Norman David Weiss | Treatment of molten metals |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2242202A (en) * | 1990-01-05 | 1991-09-25 | Fischer Ag Georg | Improvements in or relating to the treatment of metal melts |
| GB2242202B (en) * | 1990-01-05 | 1993-10-27 | Fischer Ag Georg | Improvements in or relating to the treatment of metal melts |
| AT404599B (en) * | 1990-01-05 | 1998-12-28 | Fischer Ag Georg | TREATMENT VESSEL WITH A TREATMENT SPACE FOR TREATING METAL MELT |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2140826B (en) | 1986-10-15 |
| GB8413178D0 (en) | 1984-06-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19940523 |