Patent ID: 8153049
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: C22B,F27B,F27D,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a furnace having a burner, a melting chamber with a closed roof of refractory material, an inclined hearth surface with a bottom, a side wall adjacent to the inclined hearth surface, and a charge opening with a door, the method comprising: placing a copper plate on the inclined hearth surface in a tilted orientation in which the plate leans against the side wall with a lower edge of the plate on the inclined hearth surface; closing the door to block an infiltration of oxygen into the melting chamber through the charge opening; firing the burner to heat the closed roof of refractory material; melting the plate on the inclined hearth surface under the influence of combustion products from the burner and heat radiated from the closed roof of refractory material; and draining molten copper downward from the bottom of the inclined hearth surface as the plate is being melted to avoid immersing the plate in a molten bath.