Method and apparatus for removal of gaseous, liquid and particulate contaminants from molten metals

A device for removing contaminants from a molten metal composition, said contaminants being characterized

• in having less electrical conductivity than said molten metal, comprising a body of toroidal configuration having an outer wall and a toroidal cavity, said toroidal body having inlet and outlet ends adapted to receive and discharge a stream of said molten metal composition and means for applying a magnetic field to said molten metal composition within said toroidal cavity which magnetic field simultaneously induces an electric current which flows perpendicular to said magnetic field so as to impose a force on said molten metal composition at right angles to a plane containing said magnetic field and current flow direction, thereby causing an increase in the apparent density of said molten metal component of said composition in the direction of said force while said contaminants contained in said composition move in a direction opposite to said imposed force.