Alcan International Limited

Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited

Claude Dupuis

Ghyslain Dube

Serge Eugene Lavoie

Gilles R Turcotte

Joseph Langlais

Stephane Rompre

Sylvain Trottier

Sebastien Fafard

Peter Donald Waite

Carl Lakroni

The present invention describes an apparatus and a process for in-line substantially continuous degassing of aluminium and/or aluminium alloys, in absence of chlorine and through the injection of at least one metal halide salt that includes a halogen and water and an inert gas, in a transfer trough before casting.

In-line salt refining of molten aluminium alloys

A process is described for treating molten metal with a particulate treating agent. A melt of a metal, e.g. aluminum, is provided in a treatment vessel such as a ladle and a mixing impeller is positioned substantially below the surface of the molten metal. The impeller comprises a plate with a series of spaced blades extending from the surface of the plate. This impeller is adapted to provide high shear mixing with minimum vortex. While rotating the impeller on a substantially vertical axis, particulate treating agent is fed by way of an injection tube below the surface of the molten metal and into the region between the axis and periphery of the impeller. This causes a high shearing action in the region of the blades whereby the treating agent is quickly broken down into finely divided droplets that are at least partially molten and which are circulated within the molten metal.

Process for cleaning and purifying molten aluminum

Process and apparatus for cleaning and purifying molten aluminum

A process of producing granules of a reactive metal. The process comprises providing a source of molten reactive metal (,), forming discrete droplets (,) of the molten metal, contacting the droplets while still substantially molten with a fluidized bed of particles (,) maintained at a temperature substantially below the solidus temperature of the metal and freezing the droplets as discrete granules of the reactive metal in the fluidized bed. The invention also provides apparatus for carrying out the method and product produces by the method, including a magnesium-containing additive for aluminum alloying. The use of a fluidized bed for cooling and freezing the droplets avoids problems encountered in prior methods and also makes it possible to provide coatings of various kinds on the surfaces of the granules, if desired.

Production of granules of reactive metals, for example magnesium and magnesium alloy

Production of granules of reactive metals, for example magnesium and

A process of producing granules of a reactive metal. The process comprises providing a source of molten reactive metal, forming discrete droplets of the molten metal, contacting the droplets while still substantially molten with a fluidized bed of particles maintained at a temperature substantially below the solidus temperature of the metal and freezing the droplets as discrete granules of the reactive metal in the fluidized bed. The invention also provides apparatus for carrying out the method and product produced by the method, including a magnesium-containing additive for aluminum alloying. The use of a fluidized bed for cooling and freezing the droplets avoids problems encountered in prior methods and also makes it possible to provide coatings of various kinds on the surfaces of the granules, if desired.

Growing community of inventors

Jonquiere, Canada

Claude Dupuis