System and method for adding molten lithium to a molten aluminium melt

A dual-use system for alternately adding molten lithium or an inert gas to a melt of molten aluminium or aluminium alloy in a separate molten metal holding furnace, the system comprising:

• a crucible without a refractory on the inside thereof, defining a chamber for melting and storage of molten lithium, the crucible being equipped with a sealed lid;
• an inert gas delivery system arranged for maintaining an overpressure in the chamber of the crucible using an inert gas;
• and
• a conduit, having a conduit inlet and a conduit outlet, for withdrawing a portion of the molten lithium from the crucible, and the conduit being movably arranged with respect to the crucible or the sealed lid such that the conduit inlet is controllably moveable to a first position below a surface level of the molten lithium in the crucible and a second position above the surface level of the molten lithium in the crucible, and
• wherein the conduit is arranged for feeding of the molten lithium from the crucible to the separate molten metal holding furnace with the help of the overpressure when the conduit inlet is in the first position below the surface level of the molten lithium in the crucible, and
• wherein the conduit is further arranged for feeding of the inert gas from the crucible to the separate molten metal holding furnace when the conduit inlet is in the second position above the surface level of the molten lithium in the crucible further comprising at least one heating unit and at least one temperature measurement and control unit.