Arthur K Mann

US Patent:

62211234, Apr 24, 2001

Filed:

Jan 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/010633

Inventors:

Arthur K. Mann - Lancaster PA

Assignee:

Donsco Incorporated - Wrightsville PA

International Classification:

C21B 1312

US Classification:

75 1014

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method for melting solid metals, including iron, are provided. The apparatus includes a vertical shaft furnace through which the metal is fed. The shaft furnace is mounted on a horizontal induction furnace containing a molten pool of metal. Metal solids are charged at the top of the vertical shaft furnace down onto a refractory pedestal in the molten metal pool or suspended magnetically in the vertical shaft above gas burners. The metal is melted by contact with the molten metal pool. The combination of oxygen fuel burner preheating and induction melting creates an extremely efficient melting unit that can process metal at a much lower cost than conventional systems while preventing the oxidation problems incurred by apparatuses which melt metal using combustion only. Because of the compact nature and the low stack velocity of the apparatus, almost all charged materials will convert into molten metal or slag, making the cleaning of the vertical shaft effluent to meet government air quality standards much easier than with conventional methods.