Patent ID: 6156092
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for producing a high purity aluminum, said method comprising the steps of:immersing a cooling body in molten aluminum containing eutectic impurities, wherein the molten aluminum is at a temperature that is within a liquid phase temperature range thereof, and wherein the surface temperature of an exterior surface of the cooling body is less than said liquid phase temperature range of the molten aluminum; andforming and growing crystals of the high purity aluminum on the exterior surface of the cooling body by (i) rotating the molten aluminum around the cooling body such that the centrifugal acceleration exerted on the molten aluminum by said rotation falls within the range of 0.01 m/s.sup.2 to 1500 m/s.sup.2, and (ii) introducing bubbles of a gas into the molten aluminum such that the amount of gas bubbles introduced into the molten aluminum falls within the range of from 0.01 to 150 liters, when measured at 25.degree. C. and 1 atmosphere of pressure (760 mm Hg), for each kilogram of the high purity aluminum that is forming and growing as crystals on the surface of the cooling body.