Patent ID: 6409791
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: B22D,C22B,F27B,H05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A metallothermy method for continuously forming an ingot of a metal from a metal salt or a metal oxide of said metal comprising the steps of:a) providing a first cold crucible heated by induction and a second cold crucible heated by induction, said second crucible being in fluid communication with and located under said first cold crucible to continuously form said ingot, b) forming a layer of a melting material composed of a reducing medium floating on a solvent medium composed of at least one molten salt in said first cold crucible, c) introducing said metal salt or metal oxide into said layer, d) reducing said metal salt or metal oxide entirely in said layer and forming particles of slag and of said metal, e) settling said metal particles downwardly through said solvent medium in said first cold crucible to pass said metal particles into said second cold crucible and solubilizing said slag in said solvent medium, f) collecting and melting said metal particles in said second cold crucible to form said ingot, g) continuously drawing off said ingot from said second cold crucible.