Abstract Metallic scrap contaminated with combustibles is melted in a well-type furnace to recover the metallic component with the aid of preheated air and heat generated by burning the fumes generated by the combustible contaminants. The scrap is fed into a depository well which communicates with a main furnace well under a combustion chamber in which burners are operated. Melting heat is transmitted through the molten material within the wells to the incoming scrap within the depository well to maintain its temperature at a level sufficient to melt the scrap and both significantly, heat the air above the depository well and vaporize the combustibles. A negative pressure is maintained above the depository well by a hood covering the depository well thus preventing the escape of fumes but admitting air. The hood communicates with a duct system which incorporates a blower and leads to the burners. The fumes and air from the depository well are thereby directed into the burners, which ignite and burn the same; sometimes with conventional fuel such as natural gas, the latter being needed in only a reduced amount.
A METHOD OF RE-CLAIMING METALS FROM METAL-BEARING SCRAP MATERIALS CONTAMINATED WITH COMBUSTIBLES WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: FEEDING THE SCRAP MATERIAL INTO A WELL-TYPE FURNACE HAVING A COMBUSTION CHAMBER OVER ONE PORTION OF A WELL FOR MELTING THE SCRAP MATERIAL AND A VAPORIZATION CHAMBER OVER THE REMAINING PORTION OF SAID WELL; HEATING SAID COMBUSTION CHAMBER TO A TEMPERATURE SUFFICIENT TO MELT SAID SCRAP AND FROM A MOLTEN META POOL IN THE WELL AND VAPORIZE SAID COMBUSTIBLES TO PRODUCE COMBUSTIBLE FUMES IN SAID VAPORIZATION CHAMBER; SUPPLYING OXYGEN TO SAID VAPORIZATION CHAMBER TO ACCOMMODATE SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE COMBUSTION OF SAID FUMES; CHANNELING SAID FUMES AND OXYGEN FROM SAID VAPORIZATION CHAMBER INTO A BURNER SECURED WITHIN SAID COMBUSTION CHAMBER; AND IGNITING SAID FUMES FROM SAID COMBUSTION CHAMBER BY SAID BURNER, THEREBY UTILIZING SAID FUMES IN METLING SAID SCRAP IN SAID WELL WHILE SUBSTANTIALLY ELIMINATING THE EXHAUST OF COMBUSTIBLE FUMES.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 which includes the further step of supplying a gaseous flammable fuel to said burner for ignition with said combustible fumes to continuously maintain said ignition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 which includes the further step of supplying a gaseous flammable fuel to said burner for ignition with said combustible fumes at a volumetric rate varying generally inversely with that of the combustible fumes, but sufficient to maintain the combustion chamber at the ignition temperature of said fumes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 in which said scrap has sufficient combustibles to melt said scrap in the well and said feeding of said scrap is performed at a rate to produce the volumetric rate of fumes needed to maintain the combustion chamber at the ignition temperature of said fumes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 in which said oxygen supplying step is performed by permitting air to enter into said vaporization chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 in which said oxygen supplying step is performed at a rate regulated to insure the amount of oxygen needed for complete combustion of said fumes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 which includes the further step of supplying suction to said vaporization chamber through a duct communicating with said chamber and burner to insure the collection of said combustible fumes.