Metal recovery system
OwnerScott W. Frameinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermal system for separating out co-mingled metals in almost pure form, the system including a tunnel kiln having temperature zones through which the co-mingled metals are conveyed and progressively heated until at least one metal of the co-mingled metals melts thereby separating the melted metal from the other metal or metals of the co-mingled metals. The system includes molten metal catch basins for collecting the melted metal which are arranged beneath a conveyor on which the co-mingled metals are transported within the kiln. The catch basins are tapped to the outside of the kiln so that as the various metals melt out at progressively higher temperatures, they can be collected into cast iron chills or other collection devices to form pure ingots.
Claims25
A method for separating co-mingled metals containing a first metal and a second metal comprising,
- conveying the co-mingled metals on a conveyor within a kiln,
- melting the first metal in the kiln without melting the second metal,
- passing the melted first metal through openings in the conveyor, and
- collecting the melted first metal.
A method for separating co-mingled metals containing a first metal and a second metal comprising,
- conveying the co-mingled metals through a tunnel kiln,
- gradually heating the co-mingled metals for a first period within the tunnel kiln to a first temperature that is above the melting temperature of the first metal and below that of the second metal,
- maintaining the co-mingled metals at about the first temperature within the tunnel kiln for a second period,
- melting the first metal within the tunnel kiln to separate the first metal from the second metal, and
- cooling the second metal for a third period within the tunnel kiln.
A tunnel kiln for separating co-mingled metals containing a first metal and a second metal comprising,
- an elongate housing including a pre-heat zone, a fire zone containing a heat source and a cooling zone,
- a conveyor for conveying the co-mingled metals through the pre-heat zone, the fire zone and the cooling zone, the conveyor having a plurality of openings therethrough, and
- a molten metal collection device arranged beneath the conveyor for collecting the first metal after it melts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.