Core leaching
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorJamie C McGourlay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Removal of a soluble part of a core allows provision of relatively complex three-dimensional geometric shapes in a component. Unfortunately previous leaching arrangements have been relatively erratic such that it is difficult to provide consistency of component form over a batch of components formed. By providing a tank combination which comprises typically a number of dip tanks, it is possible to provide consistency in terms of leach solution efficiency upon cores. Generally leaching solution held within the tanks is adjusted through either a prior calibrating adjustment tank or through agitation or other means in the tank such that the effects of saturation ageing of the leaching solution can be homogenised across all cores subject to the leaching process.
Claims11
A method of leaching at least one core comprising a soluble part and an insoluble part with a leaching fluid, the method comprising:
- providing a linear multi-stage, multi-tank arrangement in which two or more dip tanks are arranged with a volume of leaching fluid in each dip tank in which a core can be dipped;
- and
- adjusting parameters comprising concentration, volume and temperature of the leaching fluid in each dip tank with an adjustment means such that at least one parameter differs between at least two of the two or more dip tanks, wherein the adjustment means comprises a pre-adjustment tank that calibrates the leaching fluid to a known leaching efficiency so that a desired rate of leach erosion of the soluble part of each core is consistent or specifically varied over the number of cores received, each dip tank of the linear multi-stage, multi-tank arrangement having a tap supply connected directly to the pre-adjustment tank.
A method of concurrently leaching multiple cores with a leaching fluid, each core including a soluble part and an insoluble part, the method comprising:
- disposing the cores in multiple tanks such that each tank houses one core;
- providing leaching fluid to the tanks so as to expose the cores to the leaching fluid;
- and
- adjusting a volume and a temperature of the leaching fluid in each tank with a pre-adjustment tank such that at least one of volume and temperature differs between at least two tanks, wherein the pre-adjustment tank calibrates the leaching fluid to a known leaching efficiency so that a desired rate of leach erosion of the soluble part of each core is consistent or specifically varied over the number of cores received, each tank having a tap supply connected directly to the pre-adjustment tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.