Method of and apparatus for conveying molten metals while providing heat thereto

A method of providing heat to a molten metal flowing through metal-conveying apparatus provided with at least one channel for conveying said molten metal, an enclosure for receiving and circulating combustion gases and a heat-conductive body of material separating at least part of said channel from said enclosure, said method comprising:

• conveying molten metal through said channel;
• generating combustion gases;
• causing said combustion gases to enter and circulate through said enclosure while confining said combustion gases to prevent said gases entering said channel.

A method of heating a section of a molten metal conveying trough having an upper end and an outer surface extending around the trough section from said upper end, which comprises:

• generating at least one moving stream of hot combustion gases;
• and
• directing said at least one stream of hot combustion gases to flow through at least one enclosed volume surrounding at least part of said outer surface of said molten metal conveying trough section, thereby exposing said at least a part of said outer surface of said trough section to said hot combustion gases and enabling heat to transfer into said trough section through said outer surface.