Slag separator

A slag separator for receiving a molten metal or alloy and slag mixture from a cupola and separating the metal or alloy from the slag, comprising:

• a settling means comprising at least one chamber for receiving said molten metal or alloy and slag mixture from said cupola;
• a refractory material lining said chamber to protect said chamber from mechanical, thermal, or chemical characteristics of said molten mixture;
• fluid cooling means surrounding said refractory material to reduce the temperature of said refractory material to reduce the erosion of the refractory material caused by the mechanical, thermal, or chemical characteristics of the molten mixture;
• pressure monitoring means for monitoring the pressure of fluid in said fluid cooling means;
• and
• means for separating said metal or alloy from said slag.

A process for separating molten metal or alloy from a mixture of molten metal or alloy and slag emanating from a cupola, comprising the steps of:

• providing a slag settling means with at least one chamber for receiving said molten metal or alloy and slag mixture from said cupola, said chamber being lined with a refractory material to protect said chamber from mechanical, thermal, or chemical characteristics of said mixture;
• providing a slag separator means for separating said metaor alloy from said slag;
• directing said molten mixture of metal or alloy and slag from said slag settling means into said slag separating means;
• cooling said refractory material lining said chamber to reduce the erosion of the refractory material caused by the mechanical, thermal, or chemical characteristics of the molten mixture;
• separating said metal or alloy from said slag;
• removing said slag from said separating means;
• and
• removing said metal or alloy from said separating means.