Improved hybrid smelting system
AssigneeEestech Europe Holdings BV
InventorsChad Daniel LEHMAN, Murray James BAILEY
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Abstract
The present invention relates to improvements to an induction smelting process. It relates to a hybrid combination of plasma over induction for a superefficient continuous smelting process; and real-time monitoring and adjustment of the smelting process. Disclosed is a hybrid smelting system comprising a real-time controller and a reduction zone in which plasma over induction heating continuously smelt feed material(s) fed into the reduction zone. Slag and reduced metals (alloy) are discharged under supervision of the real-time controller.
Claims30
A hybrid smelting system (200) comprising a real-time controller (202) and a reduction zone (226) in which plasma over induction heating continuously smelt feed material(s) (204, 206, 208, 210) that are fed into the reduction zone (226) and slag and reduced metal(s) and or alloy(s) that are discharged under supervision of the real-time controller (202).
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The hybrid smelting system (200) according to claim operative to prolong the temperature(s) in the reduction zone (228) to reduce metal oxides comprising recovered fine chrome units, chromite, chrome rich spinel, and/or ferrochrome in the feed material(s) into homogeneous metal alloy comprising iron, chromium, and/or manganese.
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A hybrid smelting furnace (100) for operating in a hybrid smelting system (200), comprising a container (99) of a reduction zone (226), the container (99) comprising an electric field transparent first wall (11, 12) to hold and inductively heat metal(s) and or alloy(s) above a molten metal/alloy effluent opening (51) though the container (99);
- a second wall (21) having a greater thickness relative to the first wall (11, 12) to hold slag above the first wall up a to slag effluent opening (41) through the container (99);
- and a plasma torch (61) disposable above a level of the slag effluent opening (41) to heat and reduce feed materials to produce the metals or alloys and the slag.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.