Patent ID: 7935302
Filing Date: 2011-05-03
Classification: C22B,F27B,F27D,Y02P

Abstract:
1. An automated dross processing system for recovering metal from a dross skimmed from a metal melt, the dross processing system comprising: a frame having a cradle and a substantially vertical element rising above said cradle; a reaction vessel mount pivotally attached to said cradle; a reaction vessel for holding the dross and having a bottom region with a drain port therein configured to sealably hold a plug, said reaction vessel being attached to said reaction vessel mount; a motor having a motor axis; an impeller axially aligned with the motor axis and drivable thereabout by said motor; a motor mount attached to said motor and configured to allow vertical motion of said motor and said impeller with respect to said substantially vertical element between at least an upper limit position and a lower limit position; a motor height actuator operably connected between said substantially vertical element and said motor so as to selectively raise or lower said motor and said impeller when activated; an upper limit switch for providing a signal when said motor and said impeller are moved to said upper limit position; a lower limit switch for providing a signal when said motor and said impeller are moved to said lower limit position; a dumping actuator attached to said frame for rotating said reaction vessel from a substantially horizontal position for treating the dross to a dump position for dumping the spent dross; a probe pivotally mounted with respect to said frame and configured such that it can be swung into said drain port so as to dislodge the plug therefrom; a probe actuator for advancing said probe into said drain port of said reaction vessel and removing the plug from said drain port to allow the molten metal to be drained from said reaction vessel; a microprocessor receiving signals from said limit switches; a timer for monitoring the time after said motor has reached the upper limit position after having been lowered to the lower limit position; an impeller rotation instruction set for instructing said microprocessor to activate said motor so as to define the sequence of the direction of rotation and at least one time interval for rotating said impeller; a motor and impeller translational instruction set for controlling operation of said motor height actuator so as to stop raising of said motor and said impeller responsive to the signal provided by said upper limit switch and to stop lowering of said motor and said impeller responsive to the signal provided by said lower limit switch; a probe instruction set for said microprocessor directing the microprocessor to control said probe actuator responsive to said timer; and a vessel dump instruction set for directing said microprocessor to instruct said cradle dumping actuator responsive to the status of said probe and said timer.