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Title: Non-carbon induction furnace

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an induction furnace for melting and casting highly pure metals and alloys such as uranium and uranium alloys in such a manner as to minimize contamination of the melt by carbon derived from the materials and the environment within the furnace. The subject furnace is constructed of non-carbon materials and is housed within a conventional vacuum chamber. The furnace comprises a ceramic oxide crucible for holding the charge of metal or alloys. The heating of the crucible is achieved by a plasma-sprayed tungsten susceptor surrounding the crucible which, in turn, is heated by an rf induction coil separated from the susceptor by a cylinder of inorganic insulation. The furnace of the present invention is capable of being rapidly cycled from ambient temperatures to about 1650/sup 0/C for effectively melting uranium and uranium alloys without the attendant carbon contamination problems previously encountered when using carbon-bearing furnace materials.

Inventors:
; ;
Issue Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6115203
Application Number:
ON: TI85006513
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-84OR21400
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; INDUCTION FURNACES; DESIGN; CASTING; URANIUM; VACUUM SYSTEMS; ACTINIDES; ELECTRIC FURNACES; ELEMENTS; FABRICATION; FURNACES; METALS; 421000* - Engineering- Combustion Systems

Citation Formats

Holcombe, C E, Masters, D R, and Pfeiler, W A. Non-carbon induction furnace. United States: N. p., 1984. Web.
Holcombe, C E, Masters, D R, & Pfeiler, W A. Non-carbon induction furnace. United States.
Holcombe, C E, Masters, D R, and Pfeiler, W A. Fri . "Non-carbon induction furnace". United States.
@article{osti_6115203,
title = {Non-carbon induction furnace},
author = {Holcombe, C E and Masters, D R and Pfeiler, W A},
abstractNote = {The present invention is directed to an induction furnace for melting and casting highly pure metals and alloys such as uranium and uranium alloys in such a manner as to minimize contamination of the melt by carbon derived from the materials and the environment within the furnace. The subject furnace is constructed of non-carbon materials and is housed within a conventional vacuum chamber. The furnace comprises a ceramic oxide crucible for holding the charge of metal or alloys. The heating of the crucible is achieved by a plasma-sprayed tungsten susceptor surrounding the crucible which, in turn, is heated by an rf induction coil separated from the susceptor by a cylinder of inorganic insulation. The furnace of the present invention is capable of being rapidly cycled from ambient temperatures to about 1650/sup 0/C for effectively melting uranium and uranium alloys without the attendant carbon contamination problems previously encountered when using carbon-bearing furnace materials.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 06 00:00:00 EST 1984},
month = {Fri Jan 06 00:00:00 EST 1984}
}

Patent:
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