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Title: Metals purification by improved vacuum arc remelting

Abstract

The invention relates to improved apparatuses and methods for remelting metal alloys in furnaces, particularly consumable electrode vacuum arc furnaces. Excited reactive gas is injected into a stationary furnace arc zone, thus accelerating the reduction reactions which purify the metal being melted. Additionally, a cooled condensation surface is disposed within the furnace to reduce the partial pressure of water in the furnace, which also fosters the reduction reactions which result in a purer produced ingot. Methods and means are provided for maintaining the stationary arc zone, thereby reducing the opportunity for contaminants evaporated from the arc zone to be reintroduced into the produced ingot.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. Sandia Park, NM
  2. Albuquerque, NM
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
869652
Patent Number(s):
5373529
Application Number:
07/843,871
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
C - CHEMISTRY C22 - METALLURGY C22B - PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F27 - FURNACES F27B - FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS, OR RETORTS IN GENERAL
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
metals; purification; improved; vacuum; remelting; relates; apparatuses; methods; metal; alloys; furnaces; particularly; consumable; electrode; excited; reactive; gas; injected; stationary; furnace; zone; accelerating; reduction; reactions; purify; melted; additionally; cooled; condensation; surface; disposed; reduce; partial; pressure; water; fosters; result; purer; produced; ingot; means; provided; maintaining; reducing; opportunity; contaminants; evaporated; reintroduced; reduction reactions; reactive gas; metal alloy; partial pressure; metal alloys; improved apparatus; consumable electrode; reduction reaction; improved vacuum; melting metal; /373/

Citation Formats

Zanner, Frank J, Williamson, Rodney L, and Smith, Mark F. Metals purification by improved vacuum arc remelting. United States: N. p., 1994. Web.
Zanner, Frank J, Williamson, Rodney L, & Smith, Mark F. Metals purification by improved vacuum arc remelting. United States.
Zanner, Frank J, Williamson, Rodney L, and Smith, Mark F. Tue . "Metals purification by improved vacuum arc remelting". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/869652.
@article{osti_869652,
title = {Metals purification by improved vacuum arc remelting},
author = {Zanner, Frank J and Williamson, Rodney L and Smith, Mark F},
abstractNote = {The invention relates to improved apparatuses and methods for remelting metal alloys in furnaces, particularly consumable electrode vacuum arc furnaces. Excited reactive gas is injected into a stationary furnace arc zone, thus accelerating the reduction reactions which purify the metal being melted. Additionally, a cooled condensation surface is disposed within the furnace to reduce the partial pressure of water in the furnace, which also fosters the reduction reactions which result in a purer produced ingot. Methods and means are provided for maintaining the stationary arc zone, thereby reducing the opportunity for contaminants evaporated from the arc zone to be reintroduced into the produced ingot.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1994},
month = {12}
}