Continuous stream treatment of ductile iron
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsHerschel B. Smartt, Bela V. Kovacs
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for continuously stream treating molten metal is disclosed. A controlled vortex flow of the molten metal is stimulated and a stream of particulate treating agent, such as magnesium ferrosilicon, or pure magnesium mixed with other ferro alloys, is directed onto a predetermined zone of the vortical flow. A stream choke is employed downstream of the vortex flow to control dwell time of the flow in the vortex and to regulate downstream mixing. This method increases magnesium recovery, provides flexibility to change charge weights, eliminates residue in treating apparatus, and promotes dissolution of the treating agent within a desired zone.
Claims4
A method of producing a treated iron, comprising:
- (a) forming a vortical flow of molten treatable grey iron, said molten iron entering said vortical flow at an outer peripheral zone thereof and exiting from said vortical flow at an inner zone thereof, said vortical flow being maintained at a rate of at least 12 lbs./sec.,
- (b) introducing a predetermined and continuously graduated supply of metal treating agent into the outer upper peripheral zone of said vortical flow, said treating agent containing an effective amount of magnesium to nodulize said treatable iron, and
- (c) maintaining said vortical flow in a closed chamber except for said entrance and exit, said entrance and exit being closed by said flow.
A method of producing a treated iron, comprising:
- (a) forming a vortical flow of molten treatable grey iron, said molten iron entering said vortical flow at an outer peripheral zone thereof and exiting from said vortical flow at an inner zone thereof, said molten metal is maintained at a flow rate of 12-19 lbs./sec. in said vortex,
- (b) introducing a predetermined and continuously graduated supply of metal treating agent into the outer upper peripheral zone of said vortical flow, said treating agent containing an effective amount of magnesium to nodulize said treatable iron, and
- (c) maintaining said vortical flow in a closed chamber except for said entrance and exit, said entrance and exit being closed by said flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.