Ultrasonic Degassing of Molten Metals

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017166996-A1
Application number	US-201715444507-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 28, 2017
Priority date	Apr 9, 2010
Publication date	Jun 15, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods for degassing and for removing impurities from molten metals are disclosed. These methods can include operating an ultrasonic device in a molten metal bath, and adding a purging gas into the molten metal bath in close proximity to the ultrasonic device.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . An ultrasonic device comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer; an elongated probe comprising a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the ultrasonic transducer and the second end comprising a tip, wherein the elongated probe comprises a ceramic; a purging gas delivery system, wherein the purging gas delivery system comprises a purging gas inlet and a purging gas outlet, wherein the purging gas outlet is at or within about 3 cm of the tip of the elongated probe; and a booster between the ultrasonic transducer and the elongated probe, wherein the purging gas inlet is in the booster.

22 . The ultrasonic device of claim 21 , wherein the ceramic is a Sialon.

23 . The ultrasonic device of claim 22 , wherein the purging gas outlet is at or within about 2 cm of the tip of the elongated probe.

24 . The ultrasonic device of claim 22 , wherein the elongated probe is generally cylindrical.

25 . The ultrasonic device of claim 21 , wherein the elongated probe is a unitary part.

26 . The ultrasonic device of claim 25 , wherein the purging gas outlet is at or within about 1 cm of the tip of the elongated probe.

27 . The ultrasonic device of claim 21 , wherein the ceramic is silicon carbide.

28 . The ultrasonic device of claim 21 , wherein the tip of the elongated probe comprises a ceramic.

29 . The ultrasonic device of claim 28 , wherein the ceramic is a Sialon.

30 . The ultrasonic device of claim 21 , wherein the ultrasonic device comprises two or more elongated probes.

31 . The ultrasonic device of claim 21 , wherein the purging gas delivery system comprises a purging gas delivery channel in the elongated probe.

32 . The ultrasonic device of claim 21 , wherein the purging gas delivery system is capable of a volumetric flow rate in a range from about 0.1 to about 150 L/min.

33 . An ultrasonic device comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer; a unitary, generally cylindrical, elongated probe comprising a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the ultrasonic transducer and the second end comprising a tip, wherein the elongated probe comprises a Sialon; a purging gas delivery system, wherein the purging gas delivery system comprises a purging gas inlet and a purging gas outlet, wherein the purging gas outlet is at or within about 5 cm of the tip of the elongated probe; and a booster between the ultrasonic transducer and the elongated probe, wherein the purging gas inlet is in the booster.

34 . The ultrasonic device of claim 33 , wherein the purging gas outlet is at or within about 2 cm of the tip of the elongated probe.

35 . The ultrasonic device of claim 33 , wherein the ultrasonic device comprises two or more elongated probes.

36 . The ultrasonic device of claim 33 , wherein the purging gas delivery system comprises a purging gas delivery channel in the elongated probe.

37 . The ultrasonic device of claim 36 , wherein the purging gas outlet is at or within about 0.5 cm of the tip of the elongated probe.

38 . The ultrasonic device of claim 33 , wherein the purging gas delivery system is capable of a volumetric flow rate in a range from about 0.1 to about 150 L/min.

Assignees

• Southwire Co Llc

Inventors

• Rundquist Victor F
• Gill Kevin S

Classifications

• C22B21/06

  refining {(electrolytic refining C25C; C22B21/0046, C22B21/0061 take precedence)} · CPC title

• C22B9/05 Primary

  Refining by treating with gases, e.g. gas flushing {also refining by means of a material generating gas in situ} · CPC title

• F27D2003/166

  the fluid being a treatment gas · CPC title

• C22B9/02 Primary

  Refining by liquating, filtering, centrifuging, distilling, or supersonic wave action {including acoustic waves; (C22B9/003, C22B9/006, C22B9/05, C22B9/22 take precedence)} · CPC title

• F27D2003/169

  Construction of the lance, e.g. lances for injecting particles · CPC title