Magnesium reduction in molten aluminum
AssigneeOculatus LLC
InventorsRobert B. Wagstaff, Samuel R. Wagstaff
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Abstract
A salt flux and method for use of the same in cleaning and purifying molten aluminum is disclosed. The salt flux includes an equal proportion of sodium chloride and potassium chloride in a range of ninety percent or more, by weight, of the salt flux. The salt flux further includes aluminum fluoride in a range of less than ten percent by weight. The salt flux is introduced into a furnace using a submergence system such as a side well with an impeller to submerge the salt flux under the surface of the metal bath. Oxides may be collected and removed to reduce inclusions, oxide, and magnesium levels within the metal bath.
Claims20
A salt flux for molten aluminum treatment, comprising:
- an alkali salt mixture comprising sodium chloride and potassium chloride in an amount of at least 90 weight percent;
- and
- aluminum fluoride in an amount of less than 10 weight percent.
A method for the purification of aluminum and aluminum alloys comprising:
- heating a mass of aluminum and aluminum alloys in a furnace to a liquid phase to produce a metal bath;
- and
- contacting the metal bath with a salt flux beneath a surface of the metal bath, the salt flux comprising:
- an alkali salt mixture comprising sodium chloride and potassium chloride in an amount of at least 90 weight percent;
- and
- aluminum fluoride in an amount of less than 10 weight percent.
A method for reduction of magnesium in aluminum comprising:
- heating a mass of aluminum and aluminum alloys in a furnace to a liquid phase to produce a metal bath;
- contacting the metal bath with a salt flux comprising:
- an alkali salt mixture comprising sodium chloride and potassium chloride in an amount of at least 90 weight percent;
- and
- aluminum fluoride in an amount of less than 10 weight percent;
- and
- removing oxides from a surface of the metal bath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.