A self-cleaning transfer gear pump for transferring molten metal includes the following features: a transfer conduit extends upward from an outlet of a base, two rotatable gears are formed of refractory material and disposed in the gear chamber and engage each other during rotation. A boss functioning as a bearing extends from the drive gear and is adapted to be received in an opening in the base. A shaft is fastened at a lower end to the drive gear. A filter is fastened to the base so as to cover the inlet and prevents particles and objects in the molten metal from entering the gear chamber. In operational mode, a motor rotates the shaft and the drive gear whereby the drive gear and the second gear engage each other while being rotated so as to positively displace molten metal from the inlet to the outlet and along the transfer conduit to the remote location. In self-cleaning mode, the motor rotates the shaft and the drive gear effectively to draw molten metal from the transfer conduit by positive displacement, through the outlet, and toward the inlet therefore cleaning the filter by removing the particles adhering to the filter. Also included are a system with optional filter and optional self-cleaning mode but including an inlet portion of a die casting machine, and a method for operating the gear pump. A flow sensor may be used to transmit pulses into and from the transfer conduit so as to enable determination of a volume of molten metal being charged. The control of the molten metal volume being charged is not solely controlled by the flow sensor.

Disclosed is an injection tip for injecting liquid metal under pressure, suitable for being inserted between a liquid metal supply conduit and an injection opening of a mould, the injection tip having a tubular in shape, made from electrically insulating refractory material and in that it includes a channel suitable for the flow of liquid metal between a first end referred to as the upstream end, suitable for being connected to the conduit, and a second end, referred to as the downstream end, suitable for being connected to the mould, and an electromagnetic coil, positioned between the ends, the axis of which merges with at least a portion of the axis of the channel. Also disclosed is a casting machine using such a tip and a method for casting metal using the machine.

Disclosed is an injection tip for injecting liquid metal under pressure, suitable for being inserted between a liquid metal supply conduit and an injection opening of a mould, the injection tip having a tubular in shape, made from electrically insulating refractory material and in that it includes a channel suitable for the flow of liquid metal between a first end referred to as the upstream end, suitable for being connected to the conduit, and a second end, referred to as the downstream end, suitable for being connected to the mould, and an electromagnetic coil, positioned between the ends, the axis of which merges with at least a portion of the axis of the channel. Also disclosed is a casting machine using such a tip and a method for casting metal using the machine.

Nuclear waste, such as, but not limited to, spent nuclear fuel (SNF) assemblies or portions thereof, are placed within diecast molds, and then diecast injection molding occurs within the diecast molds and around the SNF assemblies or portions thereof that are emplaced within those diecast molds, with injected molten alloy(s), to form solid metal ingots upon sufficient cooling after the injection that contain within the ingots the emplaced SNF assemblies or portions thereof. The molten alloy(s) may contain a copper alloy. The molten alloy(s) may also contain neutron absorbers. The ingots may be placed into waste capsules. The ingots and/or the waste capsules may be landed in deeply located horizontal wellbores. The deeply located horizontal wellbores may be at least partially located within deeply located geologic formations.

Nuclear waste, such as, but not limited to, spent nuclear fuel (SNF) assemblies or portions thereof, are placed within diecast molds, and then diecast injection molding occurs within the diecast molds and around the SNF assemblies or portions thereof that are emplaced within those diecast molds, with injected molten alloy(s), to form solid metal ingots upon sufficient cooling after the injection that contain within the ingots the emplaced SNF assemblies or portions thereof. The molten alloy(s) may contain a copper alloy. The molten alloy(s) may also contain neutron absorbers. The ingots may be placed into waste capsules. The ingots and/or the waste capsules may be landed in deeply located horizontal wellbores. The deeply located horizontal wellbores may be at least partially located within deeply located geologic formations.

An apparatus and method for extending service life of a shot chamber and for seasoning a molten alloy are provided. The apparatus can be placed on a shot chamber of a die casting machine, absorbing the impact of the molten alloy during pouring, delivering the molten alloy smoothly into a shot chamber, and seasoning the molten alloy so that the alloy can be die cast at temperatures below its liquidus. The use of such an apparatus is expected to significantly increase the service life and a shot chamber in addition to improve the mechanical properties of the resultant cast component.

An apparatus and method for extending service life of a shot chamber and for seasoning a molten alloy are provided. The apparatus can be placed on a shot chamber of a die casting machine, absorbing the impact of the molten alloy during pouring, delivering the molten alloy smoothly into a shot chamber, and seasoning the molten alloy so that the alloy can be die cast at temperatures below its liquidus. The use of such an apparatus is expected to significantly increase the service life and a shot chamber in addition to improve the mechanical properties of the resultant cast component.

A customizable gating system for metal casting that includes a duct assembly formed from refractory conduit components is disclosed. The gating system is configured to deliver molten metal to a gateway for a mold. The duct assembly is formed from refractory conduit components that can withstand the high temperatures of molten metal and include advantageous features for forming the components, for adjusting the length of conduit components as needed to provide a customized duct assembly, and for interconnecting components to form a duct assembly.

A customizable gating system for metal casting that includes a duct assembly formed from refractory conduit components is disclosed. The gating system is configured to deliver molten metal to a gateway for a mold. The duct assembly is formed from refractory conduit components that can withstand the high temperatures of molten metal and include advantageous features for forming the components, for adjusting the length of conduit components as needed to provide a customized duct assembly, and for interconnecting components to form a duct assembly.

A device for die casting a metal component included a die casting mold which has a cavity that forms the component. The cavity is connected to a source for a metal melt by at least one temperature controlled supply channel. The metal melt is introduced into the cavity via at least one casting valve. The supply channel forms an annular channel, in which metal melt can be circulated via a conveying apparatus.