Patent ID: 9644246
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: C21C,F27D

Claim:
1. A snorkel for use with a reaction vessel for degassing molten metal, said snorkel comprising: a first shell having an upper edge and a lower edge, said first shell defining a closed an outer surface and a closed an inner surface between said upper and lower edges; a second shell having an upper edge and a lower edge, said second shell defining a closed an outer surface and a closed an inner surface between said upper and lower edges, said second shell being oriented outside said first shell with the outer surface of said first shell opposing the inner surface of said second shell to define an annular gap therebetween, said second shell having an inlet opening and an outlet opening that are in fluid communication with said annual gap; a first refractory lining that is secured to the interior surface of said first shell; a second refractory lining that is secured to the outer surface of said second shell; an array of baffles, each baffle in said array of baffles being located in said annular gap between the outer surface of said first shell and the inner surface of said second shell and being located at a different respective longitudinal position of said annular gap, longitudinally adjacent baffles in said array cooperating with the outer surface of said first shell and the inner surface of said second shell to define at least first and second passageways, said inlet opening being in fluid communication with said outlet opening through said first passageway in series with said second passageway, at least one of said baffles having a free end; at least one member that is longitudinally oriented in said annular gap and that is connected to the ends of at least two baffles that are positioned longitudinally adjacent to said baffle, having a free end such that said longitudinal member cooperates with the free end of said baffle and with the outer surface of said inner shell and the inner surface of said outer shell to define a vertical opening between said first passageway and said second passageway such that there is a serpentine flow path through said first and second passageways; a fluid inlet that is in communication with said passageways; and a fluid outlet that is in communication with said passageways.