US3839019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Purification of aluminum with turbine blade agitation
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
•
Filing: 1973-08-16
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1993-08-16
Abstract
Abstract Aluminum is purified by chloridizing a molten body of aluminum in a highly efficient manner. High metal chloridization rates are achieved in a system wherein chlorine utilization efficiency is 100 percent or very closely approaches this level. The system includes a chlorine-metal contacting technique which includes an agitator and which controls and maintains contacting conditions to optimize efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 M Bruno
- 👤 N Jarrett
- 👤 B Slaugenhaupt
- 👤 R Graziano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:46
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B21/00; C22B21/06; C22B21/064; C22B21/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
10 words
IN THE PROCESS OF PURIFYING MOLTEN ALUMINUM THE STEPS COMPRISING:
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
10 words
IN THE PROCESS OF PURIFYING MOLTEN ALUMINUM THE STEPS COMPRISING:
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
CONTACTING WITHIN A CHLORIDIZATION CHAMBER SAID MOLTEN ALUMINUM WITH A GAS COMPRISING A REACTIVE CHLORINACEOUS GAS INTRODUCED AT A SITE SUBSTANTIALLY 10 INCHES OR MORE BELOW THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE MOLTEN ALUMINUM BEING TREATED TO REACT CHLORINE WITH METALLIC IMPURITIES IN SAID ALUMINUM AND PRODUCED THE CHLORINE SALTS OF SAID IMPURITY METALS,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
CONTACTING WITHIN A CHLORIDIZATION CHAMBER SAID MOLTEN ALUMINUM WITH A GAS COMPRISING A REACTIVE CHLORINACEOUS GAS INTRODUCED AT A SITE SUBSTANTIALLY 10 INCHES OR MORE BELOW THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE MOLTEN ALUMINUM BEING TREATED TO REACT CHLORINE WITH METALLIC IMPURITIES IN SAID ALUMINUM AND PRODUCED THE CHLORINE SALTS OF SAID IMPURITY METALS,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
MAINTAINING AT THE REGION OF SAID CHLORINACEOUS GAS INTRODUCTION AGITATION CONDITIONS WHICH PRODUCE IN THE MELT A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM DISTRIBUTION OF SMALL GAS BUBBLES WHICH PREVAILS SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE MOLTEN ALUMINUM IN SAID CHLORIDIZATION CHAMBER WHILE SUBSTANTIALLY AVOIDING ANY FRAGMENTATION OR SHATTERING OF THE MOLTEN METAL SO AS TO SUBSTANTIALLY AVOID EMULSIFICATION OF MOLTEN ALUMINUM AND CHLORIDE SALT PHASES.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
MAINTAINING AT THE REGION OF SAID CHLORINACEOUS GAS INTRODUCTION AGITATION CONDITIONS WHICH PRODUCE IN THE MELT A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM DISTRIBUTION OF SMALL GAS BUBBLES WHICH PREVAILS SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE MOLTEN ALUMINUM IN SAID CHLORIDIZATION CHAMBER WHILE SUBSTANTIALLY AVOIDING ANY FRAGMENTATION OR SHATTERING OF THE MOLTEN METAL SO AS TO SUBSTANTIALLY AVOID EMULSIFICATION OF MOLTEN ALUMINUM AND CHLORIDE SALT PHASES.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
maintaining in the region of said chlorinaceous gas introduction agitation conditions which produce in the molten aluminum being treated a substantially uniform distribution of small gas bubbles while substantially avoiding emulsification of molten aluminum and other non-gas phases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
maintaining in the region of said chlorinaceous gas introduction agitation conditions which produce in the molten aluminum being treated a substantially uniform distribution of small gas bubbles while substantially avoiding emulsification of molten aluminum and other non-gas phases.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
maintaining at the region of said chlorinaceous gas introduction, agitation conditions which produce in the molten aluminum a substantially uniform distribution of small gas bubbles while substantially avoiding emulsification between the molten aluminum and other non-gas phases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
maintaining at the region of said chlorinaceous gas introduction, agitation conditions which produce in the molten aluminum a substantially uniform distribution of small gas bubbles while substantially avoiding emulsification between the molten aluminum and other non-gas phases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
maintaining agitation conditions substantially at the site of chlorine introduction which provide for a substantially uniform distribution throughout said molten aluminum in said chamber, the bubble pattern corresponding to that revealed in an air-water model simulation wherein at least 60 percent of the bubbles are not more than 1/8 inch in diameter, and whereby substantially all molten metal shattering and shearing effects are avoided, said agitation conditions being equivalent to those derivable from a turbine blade 12 inches in outside diameter having 12 paddles of about 2 inches by 2 inches and rotating at a speed of from 150 to 400 rpm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
maintaining agitation conditions substantially at the site of chlorine introduction which provide for a substantially uniform distribution throughout said molten aluminum in said chamber, the bubble pattern corresponding to that revealed in an air-water model simulation wherein at least 60 percent of the bubbles are not more than 1/8 inch in diameter, and whereby substantially all molten metal shattering and shearing effects are avoided, said agitation conditions being equivalent to those derivable from a turbine blade 12 inches in outside diameter having 12 paddles of about 2 inches by 2 inches and rotating at a speed of from 150 to 400 rpm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the agitation conditions maintained are such as are derivable by a turbine blade 12 inches in outside diameter having 12 paddles of about 2 inches by 2 inches and rotating at a speed of from 150 to 400 rpm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
maintaining at the region of said chlorinaceous gas introduction agitation conditions which produce in the melt a substantially uniform distribution of small gas bubbles which prevails substantially throughout the molten aluminum in said chloridization chamber while substantially avoiding any fragmentation or shattering of the molten metal so as to substantially avoid emulsification of molten aluminum and chloride salt phases.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
maintaining at the region of said chlorinaceous gas introduction agitation conditions which produce in the melt a substantially uniform distribution of small gas bubbles which prevails substantially throughout the molten aluminum in said chloridization chamber while substantially avoiding any fragmentation or shattering of the molten metal so as to substantially avoid emulsification of molten aluminum and chloride salt phases.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said chlorinaceous gas is chlorine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process according to claim 3 wherein the agitation means is a turbine impeller and the chlorine is introduced at the center of rotation of said turbine which turbine is positioned within 2 inches of the bottom of said chloridization chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the molten metal is passed through multiple chloridization chambers followed by at least one settling chamber to facilitate separation of molten metal from any occluded salt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The continuous method of treating molten aluminum containing at least one metallic impurity selected from the group consisting of magnesium, sodium and calcium, comprising the steps:
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The continuous method of treating molten aluminum containing at least one metallic impurity selected from the group consisting of magnesium, sodium and calcium, comprising the steps:
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein impurity metal chloride salt reaction product is removed from said chloridization chamber to prevent an excessive build-up of salt so as to maintain said 10 inch minimum metal depth above said chlorinaceous gas introduction site.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The methOd according to claim 1 wherein said chlorinaceous gas is provided in an amount stoichiometrically related to the amount of said impurities to be removed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said gas also comprises a non-reactive gas in addition to said chlorinaceous gas.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said amount of gas introduced is at least 0.005 SCF per pound of molten aluminum treated.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein the relative amount of chlorinaceous gas is small in comparison to the non-reactive gas.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein the chlorinaceous gas is chlorine and the non-reactive gas is selected from argon or nitrogen or mixtures thereof and the amount of chlorine is relatively small in comparison with the non-reactive gas.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
7 words
The process of purifying molten aluminum comprising:
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
7 words
The process of purifying molten aluminum comprising:
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said agitation conditions maintained are such as are derivable from a turbine blade 12 inches in outside diameter having 12 paddles of about 2 inches by 2 inches and rotating at a speed of from 150 to 400 rpm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the rotation speed of said turbine blade is from 150 to 275 rpm.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein the agitation conditions are produced by a multiple bladed impeller rotating at a peripheral speed of 8 to 20 feet per second.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein the said gas flux is introduced to the central portions of the agitation zone of said impeller.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein the agitation conditions are produced by a multiple bladed impeller rotating at a peripheral speed of 8 to 14 feet per second.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the ratio of the smaller dimension across the body of the molten metal in inches to the diameter of impeller in inches is between 1.5 and 2:1.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said agitation conditions are effected by a rotating vaned impeller operated so as to be equivalent to a turbine blade 12 inches in outside diameter having 12 paddles of about 2 inches by 2 inches and rotating at a speed of from 150 to 400 rpm and the ratio of the smaller dimension across the body of the molten metal in inches to the diameter of impeller in inches is between 1.5 and 2:1.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said gas also comprises a non-reactive gas in addition to said chlorinaceous gas.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said amount of gas introduced is at least 0.005 SCF per pound of molten aluminum treated.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 21 wherein the relative amount of chlorinaceous gas is small in comparison to the non-reactive gas.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein the chlorinaceous gas is chlorine and the non-reactive gas is selected from argon or nitrogen or mixtures thereof and the amount of chlorine is relatively small in comparison with the non-reactive gas.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
10 words
In the process of purifying molten aluminum the steps comprising:
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
10 words
In the process of purifying molten aluminum the steps comprising:
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein the agitation conditions maintained are such as are derivable by a turbine blade 12 inches in outside diameter having 12 paddles of about 2 inches by 2 inches and rotating at a speed of from 150 to 400 rpm.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 26 wherein the rotation speed of said turbine blade is from 150 to 275 rpm.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein the agitation conditions are produced by a multiple bladed impeller rotating at a peripheral speed of 8 to 20 feet per second.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 28 wherein the said gas flux is introduced to the central portions of the agitation zone of said impeller.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein the agitation conditions are produced by a multiple bladed impeller rotating at a peripheral speed of 8 to 14 feet per second.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process according to claim 26 wherein the ratio of the smaller dimension across the body of the molten metal in inches to the diameter of impeller in inches is between 1.5 and 2:1.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
81 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein said agitation conditions are effected by a rotating vaned impeller operated so as to be equivalent to a turbine blade 12 inches in outside diameter having 12 paddles of about 2 inches by 2 inches and rotating at a speed of from 150 to 400 rpm and the ratio of the smaller dimension across the body of the molten metal in inches to the diameter of impeller in inches is between 1.5 and 2:1.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein said gas also comprises a non-reactive gas in addition to said chlorinaceous gas.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein said amount of gas introduced is at least 0.005 SCF per pound of molten aluminum treated.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process according to claim 33 wherein the relative amount of chlorinaceous gas is small in comparison to the non-reactive gas.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein the chlorinaceous gas is chlorine and the non-reactive gas is selected from argon or nitrogen or mixtures thereof and the amount of chlorine is relatively small in comparison with the non-reactive gas.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein the agitation conditions maintained are such as are derivable by a turbine blade 12 inches in outside diameter having 12 paddles of about 2 inches by 2 inches and rotating at a speed of from 150 to 400 rpm.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein the chlorinaceous gas is chlorine.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein impurity metal chloride salt reaction product is removed from said chloridization chamber to prevent an excessive build-up of salt so as to maintain said substantially 10 inch or more metal depth above said chlorinaceous gas introduction site.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process according to claim 25 wherein said chlorinaceous gas is provided in an amount stoichiometrically related to a preselected portion of said impurities to be removed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3537987A
Cited
US3743263A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |