A method of providing an inerting atmosphere to the surface of molten aluminum in a vortex charge well of a reverberatory melting furnace is provided. The purpose is to improve aluminum recovery (reduce aluminum oxidation melt loss) by displacing the ambient atmosphere above the molten vortex with an inert gas. The method includes introducing a flow of an inerting gas into an inerting region immediately above the surface of the vortex charge well. The inerting gas may be selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, argon, or a mixture thereof. The inerting gas may be introduced into the charge inlet chute, through a diffuser, or a ring manifold. The vortex charge well may include a lid.

A method of providing an inerting atmosphere to the surface of molten aluminum in a vortex charge well of a reverberatory melting furnace is provided. The purpose is to improve aluminum recovery (reduce aluminum oxidation melt loss) by displacing the ambient atmosphere above the molten vortex with an inert gas. The method includes introducing a flow of an inerting gas into an inerting region immediately above the surface of the vortex charge well. The inerting gas may be selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, argon, or a mixture thereof. The inerting gas may be introduced into the charge inlet chute, through a diffuser, or a ring manifold. The vortex charge well may include a lid.

A method and device for producing a crude copper. The method comprises: mixing and reacting copper smelting molten slag (1), a carbon-containing reductant (2) and an inert gas (3) under pressure, the pressure of the inert gas (3) being 100 kPa to 800 kPa. The device comprises: a furnace body (4) and gas nozzles (411) disposed on the furnace body (4), the gas nozzles (411) being located on the sidewall of the furnace body (4) and connected to the center of the molten pool.

An apparatus for processing a melt may include a crucible configured to contain the melt, where the melt has an exposed surface that is separated from a floor of the crucible by a first distance. The apparatus may further include a submerged heater comprising a heating element and a shell disposed between the heating element and the melt, wherein the heating element does not contact the melt. The heating element may be disposed at a second distance with respect to the exposed surface of the melt that is less than the first distance.

An apparatus for processing a melt may include a crucible configured to contain the melt, where the melt has an exposed surface that is separated from a floor of the crucible by a first distance. The apparatus may further include a submerged heater comprising a heating element and a shell disposed between the heating element and the melt, wherein the heating element does not contact the melt. The heating element may be disposed at a second distance with respect to the exposed surface of the melt that is less than the first distance.