Injection apparatus for introduction of a fluid material into a molten metal bath and associated method

An injection apparatus for introduction of a fluid material into a molten metal bath comprising:

• a body assembly having a chamber defined therein;
• inlet and outlet passageways communicating with said chamber;
• means for introducing a purging gas into said chamber to facilitate movement of said fluid material into said molten metal bath,
• said body assembly has a seal plate through which a portion of said chamber passes,
• said purging gas introducing means has a gas inlet conduit in communication with said chamber, and
• said gas inlet conduit passes through said seal plate.

An injection apparatus for introduction of a fluid material into a molten metal bath comprising:

• a body assembly composed of a plurality of component parts and having a chamber defined therein;
• means for introducing a purging gas into said chamber to facilitate movement of said fluid material through said chamber and into said molten metal bath,
• inlet and outlet passageways communicating with said chamber;
• said plurality of component parts inlcuding a seal plate through which a portion of said chamber adjacent to said inlet passageway passes and adapter means disposed in underlying relationship with respect to said seal plate for receiving a portion of said outlet passageway,
• said body assembly having removable clamp means securing said component parts in position and
• said outlet passageway being threadedly secured to said body assembly, whereby said outlet passageway may be rapidly disconnected from said body portion and replaced.

A method of introducing a fluid material into a molten metal bath comprising the steps of

• providing an injection apparatus having a body assembly with a chamber defined therein, an inlet, an outlet and a gas inlet cooperating with said body assembly wherein said inlet and said outlet cooperate with said body assembly chamber to form a passageway therethrough,
• said outlet being secured to said body assembly in a manner which permits rapid separation of said outlet from the rest of said injection apparatus and rapid replacement of said outlet,
• establishing an atmosphere generally purged of air in said body assembly chamber through introduction of a purging gas through said gas inlet into said body assesmbly chamber,
• introducing said fluid material into said passageway
• routing said fluid material into said molten metal bath, and
• subsequently separating said outlet from the remainder of said injection apparatus.

A method of introducing a fluid material into a molten metal bath comprising the steps of

• providing an injection apparatus having a body assembly with a chamber defined therein, an inlet, an outlet and a gas inlet all cooperating with said body assembly wherein said inlet and said outlet cooperate with said body assembly chamber to form a passageway therethrough,
• establishing an atmosphere generally purged of air in said body assembly chamber through introduction of a purging gas through said gas inlet into said body assembly chamber,
• introducing said fluid material into said passageway,
• routing said fluid material into said molten metal,
• said fluid material is a metallic element, and
• said element is lithium.

A method of introducing a fluid material into a molten metal bath comprising the steps of

• providing an injection apparatus having a body assembly with a chamber defined therein, an inlet, an outlet and a gas inlet all cooperating with said body assembly wherein said inlet and said outlet cooperate with said body assembly chamber to form a passageway therethrough,
• establishing an atmosphere generally purged of air in said body assembly chamber through introduction of a purging gas through said gas inlet into said body assembly chamber,
• introducing said fluid material into said passageway,
• routing said fluid material into said molten metal,
• said fluid material is a metallic element,
• said outlet is emersed in said molten aluminum bath, and
• said purging gas is at about the temperature of said fluid material.