Method and means for improving molten metal furnace charging efficiency

Apparatus for use in conjunction with the charge well of a furnace having therein a molten metal pool into which metal chips are introduced for melting, comprising a heat- and flame-resistant cover adapted to lie at or in close proximity to the surface of said molten metal pool, to cover at least a substantial portion of the area of said charge well, and so located and adapted to retain inert gas or gas generated by vaporization of vaporizable contaminants introduced into said molten metal pool at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well over a substantial portion of the surface thereof and thus to maintain a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well,

• including means for moving said cover or a moveable portion thereof into and out of said charge well and into and out of proximity to and/or contact with said molten metal pool therein.

Apparatus for use in conjunction with the charge well of a furnace having therein a molten metal pool into which metal chips are introduced for melting, comprising a heat- and flame-resistant cover adapted to lie at or in close proximity to the surface of said molten metal pool, to cover at least a substantial portion of the area of said charge well, and so located and adapted to retain inert gas or gas generated by vaporization of vaporizable contaminants introduced into said molten metal pool at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well over a substantial portion of the surface thereof and thus to maintain a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well,

• wherein said cover or a moveable portion thereof is associated with a moveable delivery conduit of a chip-charging device for movement together with said delivery conduit.

Apparatus for use in conjunction with the charge well of a furnace having therein a molten metal pool into which metal chips are introduced for melting, comprising a heat- and flame-resistant cover adapted to lie at or in close proximity to the surface of said molten metal pool, to cover at least a substantial portion of the area of said charge well, and so located and adapted to retain inert gas or gas generated by vaporization of vaporizable contaminants introduced into said molten metal pool at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well over a substantial portion of the surface thereof and thus to maintain a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well,

• wherein at least a portion of said charge-well cover is hingedly-connected with said charge well.

Apparatus for use in conjunction with the charge well of a furnace having therein a molten metal pool into which metal chips are introduced for melting, comprising a heat- and flame-resistant cover adapted to lie at or in close proximity to the surface of said molten metal pool, to cover at least a substantial portion of the area of said charge well, and so located and adapted to retain inert gas or gas generated by vaporization of vaporizable contaminants introduced into said molten metal pool at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well over a substantial portion of the surface thereof and thus to maintain a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well,

• wherein said cover is upwardly and downwardly moveable with relation to the height of the molten metal pool in said charge well.

Apparatus for use in conjunction with the charge well of a furnace having therein a molten metal pool into which metal chips are introduced for melting, comprising a heat- and flame-resistant cover adapted to lie at or in close proximity to the surface of said molten metal pool, to cover at least a substantial portion of the area of said charge well, and so located and adapted to retain inert gas or gas generated by vaporization of vaporizable contaminants introduced into said molten metal pool at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well over a substantial portion of the surface thereof and thus to maintain a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well,

• wherein exit ports are provided in or around said cover when said cover is in place over said charge well, and including associated means for collecting and entraining gas and products of combustion thereof emanating from said molten metal pool in the form of a superposed hood and associated conduitry.

Apparatus for use in conjunction with the charge well of a furnace having therein a molten metal pool into which metal chips are introduced for melting, comprising a heat- and flame-resistant cover adapted to lie at or in close proximity to the surface of said molten metal pool, to cover at least a substantial portion of the area of said charge well, and so located and adapted to retain inert gas or gas generated by vaporization of vaporizable contaminants introduced into said molten metal pool at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well over a substantial portion of the surface thereof and thus to maintain a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of said molten metal pool in said charge well, wherein exit ports are provided in or around said cover when said cover is in place over said charge well to permit the controlled escape of gas from said charge well.