Patent ID: 6451248
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: C22B,F27B,F27D

Abstract:
A holder furnace, comprising:a storage vessel having sidewalls and a bottom wall defining a molten metal receiving chamber for containing a supply of molten metal; at least one furnace insulating layer lining the molten metal receiving chamber of the storage vessel; a thermally conductive heat exchanger block located at the bottom of the molten metal receiving chamber for heating the supply of molten metal, with the heat exchanger block having a top face, a bottom face, and side faces, and with the heat exchanger block having a plurality of electrical heaters extending therein and projecting outward from at least one of the faces of the heat exchanger block and further extending through the furnace insulating layer and at least one of the sidewalls of the storage vessel for connection to a source of electrical power; a sealing layer covering the bottom face and side faces of the heat exchanger block such that the heat exchanger block is substantially separated from contact with the furnace insulating layer; and a gas pressurization valve in fluid communication with the molten metal receiving chamber, and in fluid communication with the interior of the heat exchanger block through the electrical heaters, with the gas pressurization valve configured for connection to a gas pressurization source and further configured to pressurize the molten metal receiving chamber and the heat exchanger block upon connection to the gas pressurization source and activation of the gas pressurization valve.