Metal scrap submergence system

A metal scrap submergence device comprising a body of heat resistant material including a base and side wall defining an open top cylindrical chamber, an inlet to said chamber in the side wall, an outlet in a bottom of said chamber leading to an outlet duct in said base providing a fluid exit from said device, a ramp adjacent said side wall of the chamber, said ramp traversing at least one half a perimeter of said side wall, said ramp including a first edge proximate said bottom of the chamber and adjacent said inlet and generally spiraling around a cylindrical opening formed by an inner wall of said ramp.

A method of melting metal scrap comprising depositing metal pieces onto a molten metal bath in an open top chamber including walls of a heat resistant material, an inlet positioned in a side wall of the chamber, an outlet positioned in the base of said chamber, and a ramp adjacent said side wall of the chamber, pumping molten metal into said inlet and upwardly along the ramp to create a vortex in said bath which draws said metal pieces into said bath.

A metal scrap submergence device comprised of a body of heat resistant material including a base and a side wall defining an open top cylindrical chamber, an inlet to said chamber in a side wall adjacent said base, an outlet to said chamber in approximately the center of the said base, and a means for achieving an upward flow of molten metal from the inlet.

A recycling furnace comprising:

• a charge well having a scrap submergence device, said scrap submergence device having an open top chamber including side and base walls of a heat resistant material, an inlet in a side wall of the chamber for receiving molten metal, an outlet in the base of said chamber, and a ramp adjacent said side wall of the chamber.