Ultrasonic grain refining and degassing procedures and systems for metal casting

A molten metal processing device, comprising:

• a casting wheel that includes a band for confining molten metal in a channel of the casting wheel,
• an assembly mounted on the casting wheel band, including,
• at least one vibrational energy source configured to supply vibrational energy to molten metal cast in the casting wheel through an intervening liquid medium in contact with the casting wheel band while the molten metal in the casting wheel is cooled, and
• a support device holding said at least one vibrational energy source,
• wherein a tip of the at least one vibrational energy source is located less than 2 cm from the band.

A molten metal processing device, comprising:

• a casting wheel that includes a containment structure for confining molten metal,
• an assembly mounted on the casting wheel, the assembly including,
• at least one vibrational energy source configured to supply vibrational energy to molten metal cast in the casting wheel through an intervening liquid medium in contact with the containment structure,
• a support device holding said at least one vibrational energy source, and
• an ultrasonic degasser upstream of the casting wheel, the ultrasonic degasser including an ultrasonic probe configured to be inserted into the molten metal.