Rotary device for treating molten metal

Abstract

A rotary device for dispersing a gas in molten metal, for example argon in molten aluminum, contained in a vessel, comprises a hollow shaft and a hollow rotor fixedly attached to the shaft, the rotor having a plurality of vanes each extending from the shaft, or a location adjacent the shaft, towards the periphery of the rotor whereby the hollow interior of the rotor is divided into a plurality of compartments, at least one aperture in the top or bottom of the rotor adjacent the shaft and at least one aperture in the peripheral surface of the rotor such that when the rotor rotates molten metal can enter each of the compartments through the aperture or apertures in the top or bottom, and flow outwardly through the peripheral aperture or apertures and at least one duct for the passage of the gas extending from the hollow interior of the shaft to each of said compartments. The gas and molten metal are mixed together within the rotor and on emerging from the rotor the gas is dispersed throughout the body of the molten metal as a stream of very small bubbles.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.