Method and apparatus for removing inclusion contaminants from metals and alloys

Apparatus useful for removing floating nonmetallic inclusions from a molten metal charge, comprising:

• (a) a crucible having a chamber for containing a pool of molten metal, a molten metal discharge channel, and an inclusion discharge channel, each channel being in communication with the chamber at diverse points around the periphery of the crucible;
• (b) means for introducing metal into the crucible;
• (c) means for impinging an electron beam on the surface of a molten pool within the crucible, the beam adapted to maintain metal in the molten state and having an orientation and motion which causes floating inclusions to move toward the inclusion discharge channel;
• (d) means for causing molten metal to flow from the crucible through the metal discharge channel;
• (e) means for receiving clean metal flowing from the metal discharge channel.

Apparatus useful for removing floating nonmetallic inclusions from a molten metal charge, comprising:

• (a) a crucible having a chamber for containing a pool of molten metal, a molten metal discharge channel, and an inclusion discharge channel, each channel being in communication with the chamber at diverse points around the periphery of the crucible, and the depth of the inclusion discharge channel being less than the depth of the metal discharge channel;
• (b) means for introducing metal into the crucible;
• (c) means for impinging an electron beam on the surface of a molten pool within the crucible, the beam adapted to maintain metal in the molten state and having an orientation and motion which causes floating inclusions to move toward the inclusion discharge channel;
• (d) means for adding metal to the crucible to cause metal to overflow from the crucible through the metal discharge channel;
• (e) means for receiving clean metal flowing from the metal discharge channel.