Mechanically stirred furnace for pyrometallurgical operations and processes

Abstract

The present specification discloses a pyrometallurgical system for maintaining a material in a molten state, the system comprising a vessel for molten material, the vessel conceptually dividable into a number of substantially uniform cells. A mechanical stirrer is provided for each such cell and is centered within the cell. The stirrers are sized and driven at a rate so as to promote a uniform temperature and composition of the molten material and improved heat transfer between, and blending of, various constituents of molten material, while producing minimal erosion of the conventional refractory lining of the vessel. Preferably, adjacent pairs of stirrers are driven with opposite rotational senses, thereby assuring reinforcing flow patterns at the cell boundaries. Heating means (e.g., power electrodes) are provided at locations which do not substantially interfere with the flow patterns generated by the array of mechanical stirrers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.