The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.

Use of Ca in metal matrix composites (MMC) allows for incorporation of small and large amounts of ceramic (e.g. rutile TiO.sub.2) into the metal (Al, or its alloys). Calcium remains principally out of the matrix and is part of a boundary layer system that has advantages for integrity of the MMC. Between 0.005 and 10 wt. % calcium (Ca) may be included, and more than 50 wt. % of rutile has been shown to be integrated. Rutile may therefore be used to reduce melt loss due to calcium from an aluminum or aluminum alloy melt.

The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.

A system for adding gas to and transferring molten metal from a vessel and into one or more of a ladle, ingot mold, launder, feed die cast machine or other structure is disclosed. The system includes at least a vessel for containing molten metal, an overflow (or dividing) wall, a device or structure, such as a molten metal pump, for generating a stream of molten metal, and one or more gas-release devices.

The invention relates to a method for forming a transfer chamber inside a cavity of, or next to, a vessel used to retain molten metal. A form is positioned in or next to the vessel, wherein the form defines the transfer chamber. Refractory material is placed into the form, and an opening is left beneath the transfer chamber wherein molten metal can flow into the opening. The transfer chamber is formed such that at least one chamber wall of the transfer chamber is part of at least one outer wall of the vessel, and at least one chamber wall is inside the vessel cavity and is not an outer wall of the vessel. The transfer chamber is formed with an uptake section, a top surface with an opening, and an outlet. The method may also include placing brackets into position and positioning a molten metal pump in the transfer chamber.

The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.

Aspects of the invention relate to systems and devices for transferring molten metal. A powered device, such as a molten metal pump, which may be inside of a transfer chamber, includes a multi-stage rotor to move molten metal within a vessel. The molten metal may be moved out of the vessel and into another structure, which could be another vessel or a launder.

A vortex chamber includes an outer circumference wall, a container, an annular shoal portion provided between the container and the outer circumference wall so as to encircle the outer circumference of the container, and a dam portion protruding upward from the upper surface of the outer circumference of the container so as to partition the container from the shoal portion. An undried nonferrous metal block is fed into the shoal portion, the block having such a size that is not completely submerged into the molten metal in the shoal portion. The fed nonferrous metal block is gradually melted to have a reduced volume of small pieces and particles of nonferrous metal, which are re-circulated in the shoal portion, flown over the dam portion, and dropped into the container, thereby forming a vortex in the container in which remaining small pieces and particles submerged into the molten metal are melted.

Disclosed, among other things, is a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain and degas molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel is pulled through the vessel by the pump as it is degassed. This helps maintain a generally constant flow of molten metal through the degassing vessel. Other aspects relate to a system and method for efficiently performing maintenance on components positioned in a vessel.

A device of regulating a melting speed of an aluminum alloy smelting furnace burner. The device includes: a natural-gas flow-rate regulating assembly, an air flow regulating assembly; a natural gas burner, connected to the natural-gas flow-rate regulating assembly and the air flow regulating assembly and mounted in a melting zone of the melting furnace to melt aluminum alloy into an aluminum liquid; a scum filtration assembly, including a ceramic tube connected to a ceramic filter cylinder, a foam ceramic filter plate being merged in an aluminum liquid thermal-insulation pool; a rangefinder, mounted above the scum filter assembly; a controller for obtaining weights of the aluminum liquid corresponding to two adjacent time points, obtaining the actual melting speed according to a difference in the weights, and regulating the flow rate of the natural gas and the air flow to adjust the actual melting speed to reach a target melting speed.