Alcan International Limited

Robert Dumont

Peter D Waite

Ghyslain Dube

Serge Eugene Lavoie

A method of and apparatus for treating molten metal to achieve effective removal of such unwanted inclusions as gases, alkali metals, entrained solids, and the like. The method comprises continuously introducing molten metal into a container forming a trough or trough section, such as the trough provided between a melting furnace and a casting machine, providing at least one mechanically movable gas dispenser submerged within the metal in the container and introducing a gas into the metal adjacent to the gas disperser in a part of the trough forming a treatment zone such that the gas is broken into smaller bubbles by the gas dispenser and dispersed through the treatment zone. The trough or trough section is such that it exhibits a static to dynamic metal holdup of less than 50%.

Gas treatment of molten metals

A method of and apparatus for treating molten metal to achieve effective removal of such unwanted inclusions as gases, alkali metals, entrained solids, and the like. The method comprises introducing molten metal into a trough, such as the trough provided between a melting furnace and a casting machine, providing at least one mechanically movable gas injector submerged within the metal in the trough and injecting a gas into the metal in a part of the trough forming a treatment zone through the injector(s) to form gas bubbles in the metal while moving the injector(s) mechanically to minimize bubble size and maximize distribution of the gas within the metal. The injectors are preferably rotated and comprise a rotor body having a cylindrical side surface and a bottom surface, at least three openings in the side surface spaced symmetrically around the rotor body, at least one opening in the bottom surface, and at least one internal passageway for gas delivery and an internal structure for interconnecting the openings in the side surface, the openings in the bottom surface and the internal passageway. The internal structure is adapted to cause gas bubbles emanating from the internal passageway to break up into finer bubbles and to cause a metal/gas mixture to issue from the openings in the side surface in a generally horizontal and radial manner.

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Cap de la Madeleine, Canada

Robert Dumont