Method and apparatus for gas stirring of molten metal

Claim 2

Apparatus for stirring a molten metal bath in a refractory lined vessel having a sidewall and a bottom comprising: a gas introduction means mounted inside the vessel, said means made from a porous refractory material through which gas flows into the molten metal bath, said gas introduction means mounted in the lower portion of the vessel and extending substantially around the inner periphery of the vessel so that the gas passing through said means into the bath will pass upwardly through the bath along the inner wall surface of the vessel, said gas introduction means being in the form of a ring having at least a part of its surface exposed to the molten metal bath, and a gas distribution means for conducting the flow of gas from outside the vessel to said gas introduction means inside the vessel.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the radial width of said ring is no greater than about one-quarter the inner diameter of the vessel.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least a part of the surface of said ring other than the part identified in claim 2 is in communciation with said gas distribution means.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said exposed surface is substantially flush with the refractory lining of said vessel.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said exposed surface is substantially flush with the refractory lining on the bottom of said vessel.

Claim 7

Apparatus for stirring a molten metal bath in a refractory lined vessel having a sidewall and a bottom comprising: a gas introduction means mounted inside the vessel, said means made from a porous refractory material through which gas flows into the molten metal bath, said gas introduction means mounted in the lower portion of the vessel and extending substantially around the inner periphery of the vessel so that the gas passing through said means into the bath will pass upwardly through the bath along the entire inner wall surface of the vessel to thereby cause the molten metal in the bottom portion of the bath to flow upwardly along the inner face of the vessel sidewall around the entire inner periphery of the vessel; a gas distribution means for conducting the flow of gas from outside the vessel to said gas introduction means inside the vessel.

Claim 8

Apparatus for stirring a molten metal bath in a refractory lined vessel having a sidewall and a bottom comprising: a gas introduction means mounted inside the vessel, said means made from a porous refractory material through which gas flows into the molten metal bath, said gas introduction means mounted in the lower portion of the vessel and extending substantially around the inner periphery of the vessel so that the gas passing through said means into the bath will pass upwardly through the bath along the entire inner wall surface of the vessel to thereby cause the molten metal in the bottom portion of the bath to flow upwardly along the inner face of the vessel sidewall around the entire inner periphery of the vessel; a gas distribution means for conducting the flow of gas from outside the vessel to said gas introduction means inside the vessel.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said gas introduction means has a surface exposed to the molten metal bath and a second surface in communication with said gas distribution means.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said gas introduction means is comprised of a plurality of members made of porous refractory material, said members mounted in a circular pattern in the lower portion of said vessel.

Claim 11

Apparatus for stirring a molten metal bath in a refractory lined vessel having a sidewall and a bottom comprising: a gas introduction means mounted inside the vessel, said means made from a porous refractory material through which gas flows into the molten metal bath, said gas introduction means mounted in the lower portion of the vessel and extending substantially around the inner periphery of the vessel so that the gas passing through said means into the bath will pass upwardly through the bath along the inner wall surface of the vessel, said gas introduction means being comprised of A substantially circular member having an internal passageway formed therein, said passageway comprising a part of said gas distribution means for conducting gas through said gas introduction means; and a gas distribution means for conducting the flow of gas from outside the vessel to said gas introduction means inside the vessel.

Claim 12

Apparatus for stirring a molten metal bath in a refractory lined vessel having a sidewall and a bottom comprising: a gas introduction means mounted inside the vessel, said means made from a porous refractory material through which gas flows into the molten metal bath, said gas introduction means mounted in the lower portion of the vessel and extending substantially around the inner periphery of the vessel so that the gas passing through said means into the bath will pass upwardly through the bath along the inner wall surface of the vessel, said gas introduction means being comprised of A substantially circular member having an internal passageway formed therein, said passageway comprising a part of said gas distribution means for conducting gas through said gas introduction means; and a gas distribution means for conducting the flow of gas from outside the vessel to said gas introduction means inside the vessel.

Claim 13

Apparatus for stirring a molten metal bath in a refractory lined vessel having a sidewall and a bottom comprising: a gas distribution means for conducting the flow of gas under pressure from outside the vessel to the lower portion of the vessel interior; and gas introduction means mounted inside the vessel and adapted to direct the passage of gas from said gas distribution means into the molten metal bath in the vessel, said gas introduction means mounted in the lower portion of the vessel and extending substantially around the inner periphery of the vessel so that gas flowing into the molten metal bath will pass upwardly through the bath along the inner wall surface of the vessel, said gas introduction means including a ring-shaped member of porous refractory material mounted in the refractory lining of the vessel, said member having at least a part of its surface area exposed to the molten metal bath in the vessel.

Claim 14

Apparatus for stirring a molten metal bath in a refractory lined vessel having a sidewall and a bottom comprising: a gas distribution means for conducting the flow of gas under pressure from outside the vessel to the lower portion of the vessel interior; and gas introduction means mounted inside the vessel and adapted to direct the passage of gas from said gas distribution means into the molten metal bath in the vessel, said gas introduction means mounted in the lower portion of the vessel and extending substantially around the inner periphery of the vessel so that gas flowing into the molten metal bath will pass upwardly through the bath along the inner wall surface of the vessel, said gas introduction means including a ring-shaped member of porous refractory material mounted in the refractory lining of the vessel, said member having at least a part of its surface area exposed to the molten metal bath in the vessel.

Claim 15

Apparatus for stirring a molten metal bath in a refractory lined vessel having a sidewall and a bottom comprising: a gas distribution means for conducting the flow of gas under pressure from outside the vessel to the lower portion of the vessel interior; and gas introduction means mounted inside the vessel and adapted to direct the passage of gas from said gas distribution means into the molten metal bath in the vessel, said gas introduction means mounted in the lower portion of the vessel and extending substantially around the inner periphery of the vessel so that gas flowing into the molten metal bath will pass upwardly through the bath along the entire inner wall surface of the vessel to thereby cause the molten metal in the bottom portion of the bath to flow upwardly along the inner face of the vessel sidewall around the entire inner periphery of the vessel.

Claim 16

Apparatus for stirring a molten metal bath in a refractory lined vessel having a sidewall and a bottom comprising: a gas distribution means for conducting the flow of gas under pressure from outside the vessel to the lower portion of the vessel interior; and gas introduction means mounted inside the vessel and adapted to direct the passage of gas from said gas distribution means into the molten metal bath in the vessel, said gas introduction means mounted in the lower portion of the vessel and extending substantially around the inner periphery of the vessel so that gas flowing into the molten metal bath will pass upwardly through the bath along the entire inner wall surface of the vessel to thereby cause the molten metal in the bottom portion of the bath to flow upwardly along the inner face of the vessel sidewall around the entire inner periphery of the vessel.