Apparatus and method for tapping a molten metal bath

An apparatus for tapping a molten metal bath from a reactor, comprising:

• a) a tapping pipe, having a tapping pipe inlet and a tapping pipe outlet, said tapping pipe being attachable at said tapping pipe inlet to a reactor, and said tapping pipe including a susceptor, whereby said tapping pipe can be heated by an induction current to a higher temperature than that of a solidified bath metal within said tapping pipe;
• b) a ceramic insert that lines the tapping pipe to substantially prevent contact of the tapping pipe by metal melt being tapped through said tapping pipe;
• c) an induction means at the tapping pipe;
• and
• d) at least three power terminals at said induction means for connection to an alternating current power source, whereby an induction current can be applied to a variable portion of the induction means, whereby said induction means can apply an induction current to heat at least a portion of the tapping pipe to a temperature that is higher than that of said bath metal within said tapping pipe and thereby melt said solidified bath metal within said tapping pipe to tap the molten metal bath from the reactor.

An apparatus for tapping a molten metal bath from a reactor, comprising:

• a) a tapping pipe, having a tapping pipe inlet and a tapping pipe outlet, said tapping pipe being attachable at said tapping pipe inlet to a reactor, and said tapping pipe including a susceptor, whereby said tapping pipe can be heated by an induction current to a higher temperature than that of a solidified bath metal within said tapping pipe;
• b) a ceramic insert that lines the tapping pipe to substantially prevent contact of the tapping pipe by metal melt being tapped through said tapping pipe;
• c) an induction means at the tapping pipe, wherein said induction means can apply an induction current to the susceptor to heat the tapping pipe to a temperature that is higher than that of said bath metal within said tapping pipe and thereby melt said solidified bath metal to tap the molten metal bath from the reactor;
• and
• d) a slidable gate valve assembly at said tapping pipe outlet.

An apparatus for tapping a molten metal bath from a reactor, comprising:

• a) a tapping pipe, having a tapping pipe inlet and a tapping pipe outlet, said tapping pipe being attachable at said tapping pipe inlet to a reactor, and said tapping pipe including a susceptor, whereby said tapping pipe can be heated by an induction current to a higher temperature than that of a solidified bath metal within said tapping pipe;
• b) a ceramic insert that lines the tapping pipe to substantially prevent contact of the tapping pipe by metal melt being tapped through said tapping pipe;
• c) an induction means at the tapping pipe, wherein said induction means can apply an induction current to the susceptor to heat the tapping pipe to a temperature that is higher than that of said bath metal within said tapping pipe and thereby melt said solidified bath metal to tap the molten metal bath from the reactor;
• d) a sleeve annularly disposed about said induction coil;
• e) a flange at one end of said sleeve and proximate to said tapping pipe outlet, said flange defining an orifice at said tapping pipe outlet;
• and
• f) at least one insert at said orifice, said insert having a melting point below that of said flange.

An apparatus for tapping a molten metal bath from a reactor, comprising:

• a) a tapping pipe, having a tapping pipe inlet and a tapping pipe outlet, said tapping pipe being attached and at an incline extending from a reactor at said tapping pipe inlet to the reactor, and said tapping pipe including a susceptor, whereby said tapping pipe can be heated by an induction current to a higher temperature than that of a solidified bath metal within said tapping pipe;
• b) a ceramic insert that lines the tapping pipe to substantially prevent contact of the tapping pipe by metal melt being tapped through said tapping pipe;
• and
• c) an induction means at the tapping pipe, wherein said induction means can apply an induction current to the susceptor to heat the tapping pipe to a temperature that is higher than that of said bath metal within said tapping pipe and thereby melt said solidified bath metal to tap the molten metal bath from the reactor.