Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.

Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal are generally described. Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.

The present disclosure concerns an apparatus suitable for smelting and separating metals in flexible oxido-reduction conditions. More particularly, it concerns an apparatus for smelting metallurgical charges comprising a bath furnace susceptible to contain a molten charge up to a determined level, characterized in that the furnace is equipped with: at least one non-transfer plasma torch for the generation of first hot gases; at least one oxygas burner for the generation of second hot gasses; and, submerged injectors for injecting said first and second hot gases below said determined level.

The present disclosure concerns an apparatus suitable for smelting and separating metals in flexible oxido-reduction conditions. More particularly, it concerns an apparatus for smelting metallurgical charges comprising a bath furnace susceptible to contain a molten charge up to a determined level, characterized in that the furnace is equipped with: at least one non-transfer plasma torch for the generation of first hot gases; at least one oxygas burner for the generation of second hot gasses; and, submerged injectors for injecting said first and second hot gases below said determined level.

A method for the energy efficient production of metals and alloys by carbothermic reduction of minerals and ores in electric reduction reactors is disclosed. The method includes conveying a wood containing material to at least one pyrolysis step for producing charcoal; conveying the produced charcoal, possibly other carbon-containing reduction materials and metal containing raw materials to the at least one reactor for producing metal or alloy; conveying off-gas from the at least one pyrolysis step and off-gas from the at least one reactor to at least one energy recovery step.

A method for the energy efficient production of metals and alloys by carbothermic reduction of minerals and ores in electric reduction reactors is disclosed. The method includes conveying a wood containing material to at least one pyrolysis step for producing charcoal; conveying the produced charcoal, possibly other carbon-containing reduction materials and metal containing raw materials to the at least one reactor for producing metal or alloy; conveying off-gas from the at least one pyrolysis step and off-gas from the at least one reactor to at least one energy recovery step.

A method and a system, the system, comprising a laser source, a ionization and acceleration unit, a separation unit, and a collecting unit, wherein the laser source comprises a large bandwidth laser delivering successive pulses of fixed central wavelength and bandwidth to a surface of a target positioned inside the ionization and acceleration unit, surface atoms of the target being ionized by the pulses, accelerated from the surface of the target to a kinetic energy in the range between 100 eV and 10 KeV, and focused to the separation unit, the separation unit separating received atoms into different ions species, and the collecting unit separately collecting the different ion species. The method comprises positioning a target inside a resistive tube, delivering successive pulses of same selected wavelength and bandwidth from a large bandwidth laser generating a beam of fixed central wavelength and bandwidth to a surface of the target to ionize atoms of the surface of the target, accelerate the ionized atoms to a kinetic energy in a range between 100 eV and 10 KeV, under an electric field in a resistive tube, directing the ionized atoms to a magnetic separator, and collecting ions species of the target separately in cup collectors.

A method and a system, the system, comprising a laser source, a ionization and acceleration unit, a separation unit, and a collecting unit, wherein the laser source comprises a large bandwidth laser delivering successive pulses of fixed central wavelength and bandwidth to a surface of a target positioned inside the ionization and acceleration unit, surface atoms of the target being ionized by the pulses, accelerated from the surface of the target to a kinetic energy in the range between 100 eV and 10 KeV, and focused to the separation unit, the separation unit separating received atoms into different ions species, and the collecting unit separately collecting the different ion species. The method comprises positioning a target inside a resistive tube, delivering successive pulses of same selected wavelength and bandwidth from a large bandwidth laser generating a beam of fixed central wavelength and bandwidth to a surface of the target to ionize atoms of the surface of the target, accelerate the ionized atoms to a kinetic energy in a range between 100 eV and 10 KeV, under an electric field in a resistive tube, directing the ionized atoms to a magnetic separator, and collecting ions species of the target separately in cup collectors.

The present disclosure provides a metallurgical electric furnace, and a smelting method for the metallurgical electric furnace. The metallurgical electric furnace includes a furnace body, an oxygen lance and a coal lance, wherein the furnace body is provided with a furnace chamber; the oxygen lance is located on a side wall of the furnace chamber and is used for blowing oxygen into the slag promoting the smelting process, and the outlet of the oxygen lance is higher than the slag; and the coal lance is located on the side wall of the furnace chamber beside the oxygen lance and is used for spraying coal into the slag, and the outlet of the coal lance is higher than the slag.

The present disclosure provides a metallurgical electric furnace, and a smelting method for the metallurgical electric furnace. The metallurgical electric furnace includes a furnace body, an oxygen lance and a coal lance, wherein the furnace body is provided with a furnace chamber; the oxygen lance is located on a side wall of the furnace chamber and is used for blowing oxygen into the slag promoting the smelting process, and the outlet of the oxygen lance is higher than the slag; and the coal lance is located on the side wall of the furnace chamber beside the oxygen lance and is used for spraying coal into the slag, and the outlet of the coal lance is higher than the slag.