Refractory anchoring devices include a main body and a mounting feature for mounting to a thermal vessel. The main body has the shape of two end-to-end Y's forming a central segment, branch segments extending from ends of the central segment, and extension segments extending from the branch segments, to collectively form four unenclosed cell openings that are semi-hexagonally shaped. Some embodiments include reinforcement segments extending into respective cell openings, voids extending through respective adjacent branch and extension segments, an underbody gap under the central segment, a single stud-welding stud for the mounting feature, and/or a collar-and-stud connection between the anchor main body and a stud-welding stud of the mounting feature. Refractory anchoring systems and methods include an array of the refractory anchoring devices arranged and mounted so that the unenclosed semi-hexagonal cell openings of adjacent anchoring devices cooperatively form substantially hexagonal cells.

In a metal melting and temperature-raising supply system, a melting apparatus heats a metal material that is in a solid state and changes the metal material to a molten metal that is in a liquid state. A temperature raising apparatus includes a heat-resistant container that houses the molten metal produced by the melting apparatus and a temperature-raising heating unit that heats the molten metal housed in the heat-resistant container. A molten metal supply apparatus provides the molten metal to an external processing equipment in a state in which a temperature of the molten metal heated by the temperature raising apparatus is maintained. A control apparatus controls an amount of metal material in the solid state changed to the molten metal by the melting apparatus and supplied to the heat-resistant container, based on an amount of molten metal supplied to the external processing equipment from the molten metal supply apparatus.

In an aspect, a method of manufacturing a high purity copper-based alloy comprises providing in a melting furnace a feedstock and melting the feedstock. The method additionally includes bubbling an inert gas into the molten copper-based alloy to form the high purity copper-based alloy. Aspects are also directed to an apparatus and a method of fabricating an apparatus for manufacturing the high purity copper-based alloy.

In an aspect, a method of manufacturing a high purity copper-based alloy comprises providing in a melting furnace a feedstock and melting the feedstock. The method additionally includes bubbling an inert gas into the molten copper-based alloy to form the high purity copper-based alloy. Aspects are also directed to an apparatus and a method of fabricating an apparatus for manufacturing the high purity copper-based alloy.

An ingot mold for curing fused and melted material is provided. The ingot mold includes a steel box, a foamed carbon layer, and a graphite block layer. The foamed carbon layer is formed inside the steel box. The graphite block layer is formed inside the steel box.