A launder for use in moving molten metal includes at least one relatively narrow channel through which molten metal flows. Using a narrow, rather than broad, channel permits better control of the flow and helps prevent overflowing the launder or a structure adjacent the launder. A molten metal pumping or transfer system may utilize a launder as disclosed herein.

A molten metal pump post that includes an elongated rod of a first material that is heat resistant and an inner member at least partially surrounding the elongated rod. The inner member is of a second material. The elongated rod is operable due to a difference in a coefficient of thermal expansion between the elongated rod and the inner member which creates a compressive force.

A vertical member, which is preferably a support post used in a molten metal pump, includes a ceramic tube and tensioning structures to add a compressive load to the tube along its longitudinal axis. This makes the tube less prone to breakage. A device, such as a pump, used in a molten metal bath includes one or more of such vertical members.

A vertical member, which is preferably a support post used in a molten metal pump, includes a ceramic tube and tensioning structures to add a compressive load to the tube along its longitudinal axis. This makes the tube less prone to breakage. A device, such as a pump, used in a molten metal bath includes one or more of such vertical members.

A pump device includes a drive unit, a pump unit and a transport unit. The drive unit includes a base frame, and a variable-speed drive device disposed on the base frame. The pump unit includes a rotating shaft driven by the drive device, a fan blade co-rotatably mounted to the rotating shaft, a drain housing receiving the fan blade, and a suction housing in fluid communication with the drain housing. The transport unit includes a plurality of transport tubes in fluid communication with the drain housing.

A vertical molten sulfur pump assembly includes a pump motor disposed in a top portion and an impeller disposed in a bottom portion, within an impeller casing. A pump inlet is disposed at the second end below the impeller casing. The vertical molten sulfur pump assembly is configured to pump molten sulfur into the inlet and upwards through a discharge passageway by rotation of the impeller. A vibration sensor and a temperature sensor are disposed on an external surface of the bottom portion, on or proximate to the impeller casing and the pump inlet. A temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the molten sulfur proximate to the pump inlet. A vibration sensor includes a substrate comprising a polymer and a resonant layer, and resonant layer includes an electrically conductive nanomaterial and is configured to produce a resonant response in response to receiving a radio frequency signal.

A molten metal rotor receives and retains an end of a molten metal rotor shaft. The rotor shaft has one or more projections at the end received in the rotor. The rotor has an inner cavity, a top surface with an opening leading to the inner cavity, and at least one abutment. The opening includes one or more portions for allowing each projection to pass through the opening and into the inner cavity. The rotor and/or shaft are then rotated so at least one of the outwardly-extending projections is under the top surface of the rotor and is against an abutment. A molten metal pump, rotary degasser scrap melter or other device used in molten metal may utilize a rotor/shaft combination as disclosed herein.

Disclosed is a transfer pump having a pump base with a pump chamber, tangential discharge and an outlet in the top surface of the pump base. A riser tube extends from the outlet and terminates at a launder in order to move molten metal out of a vessel with relatively little turbulence.

A thermal energy storage is provided that includes a first container for a phase change material and a jacket connected to the first container. A space is formed between the jacket and the first container, a heating chamber is provided that includes a heating device, the heating chamber being in fluid communication with the jacket, a second container for a heat transfer fluid, a pump arrangement for pumping the heat transfer fluid from the second container, via the heating chamber, and to the said space formed between the jacket and the first container, in order to cause thermal energy to be transferred between the heat transfer fluid and the phase change material. The heating chamber has a projecting portion that extends through a wall of the second container such that a connecting interface between the pump arrangement and the heating chamber is located inside the second container. If any heat transfer fluid leaks through the connecting interface it remains in the second container.

A pump having a motor, a pump base with a pump chamber, a tangential discharge and an outlet in the pump base. A riser tube extends upward from the outlet and terminates at or above a launder in order to move molten metal out of a vessel with relatively little turbulence.