Patent ID: 8932385
Filing Date: 2015-01-13
Classification: C22B,F27B,F27D,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of providing an inerting atmosphere to a body of molten magnesium, lithium, zinc, silicon, aluminum or other metal or metal alloy in an indirect fired or resistance furnace using an inerting apparatus, the molten metal or metal alloy being reactive to air, water and/or other constituents in air, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing a flow of an inerting gas through a nozzle within the furnace from a flow initiation position within the furnace that is: b) controlling a flow rate of the inerting gas flow through a nozzle to produce a laminar flow emanating from the flow initiation position and expanding across the solid metal charge or molten metal body surface, thereby backfilling of a volume from the surface of the molten and/or heated metal to a working lid of the melting furnace, thereby forming a gradient of reducing concentration in the vertical direction.