Apparatus for refining molten metals and molten metal refining process

Claim 1

Apparatus for treating a molten metal with a gas/solid suspension comprising a refractory lined, tiltable converter for holding the molten metal, said vessel having a wall and a bottom and being tiltable about an axle bar; means for introducing the metal to be treated and means for removing the metal after treatment; at least one tuyere for introducing the gas/solid suspension into the converter, said tuyere extending through the bottom or wall of the vessel at a level that will be below the surface of the molten metal when the converter is in its vertical operating position; the refractory lining of the converter being of sufficient thickness to resist wear during operation; said converter having at least one heating zone spaced away from the converter, the heating zone having at least one channel in liquid communication with the converter, the channel opening into the converter at a level that will be below the surface of the molten metal when the converter is in its vertical operating position, and essentially in the region of that point in the vessel which is the deepest point when the converter is in its vertical operating position, said heating zone having a refractory lining which is thinner than the refractory lining of the converter, and having means for heating the contents of the zone by electric induction heating to an extent such that a temperature gradient can be established between the contents of the zone and the contents of the converter and wherein the bottom of the vessel is inclined at an oblique angle with respect to at least one side of the vessel so that the vessel tapers towards the deepest point of the vessel, in the region of which the channel opening is located, when the converter is in its vertical operating position.