Patent ID: 8303890

Claim:
A quiescent melt handling system comprising: a melting furnace; a holding furnace communicating with said melting furnace, said holding furnace containing a molten metal, wherein said holding furnace comprises a relatively large surface area and a relatively shallow depth having a width to depth ratio in the range of 4-100 to 1 such that the dimensions of said holding furnace are selected to retard a convection flow of the molten metal in said holding furnace; a means for separating inclusions from the melt in said holding furnace; a mold communicating with said holding furnace; a means for replenishing a dry atmosphere in said holding furnace, wherein said holding furnace allows hydrogen in the melt to equilibrate with the dry atmosphere being replenished into said holding furnace wherein the means for replenishing comprises a gas inlet located adjacent an outlet of said holding furnace so that a counter current flow of the dry atmosphere takes place; and, a vacuum assist system for said mold to draw the melt from said holding furnace into said mold.