Patent ID: 8246715
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: C21C,C22B,F27D,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of adjusting a vortex of molten metal, comprising: providing a vessel comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface for containing molten metal and a mouth for receiving material at an upper end portion of said interior surface, an outlet passageway extending downwardly from said interior surface and a vortex control plate having an outlet orifice that can be positioned at a bottom of said vessel so that said outlet orifice is in fluid communication with said outlet passageway, and an inlet opening in the vessel located between said exterior surface and said interior surface; estimating or observing a vortex level; selecting a size of said outlet orifice of said vortex control plate that can produce a desired level of a vortex in said vessel that is the same as or different than said estimated or observed vortex level; carrying out said positioning of said vortex control plate of said selected outlet orifice size; and moving the molten metal into said vessel inlet opening and forming said vortex at the desired level in said vessel, wherein said molten metal is moved into said vessel inlet opening by operating a pump, comprising providing at least first and second said vortex control plates, carrying out said operating of said pump while said first said vortex control plate is positioned in said vessel, observing said level of said vortex in said vessel using said first vortex control plate, and selecting said second said vortex control plate to produce the desired level of said vortex that is different than said observed level of said vortex.