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.

A furnace has a melting chamber with a periphery defined by a surrounding wall structure. The furnace is provided with a purge system configured to direct inert gas to flow downward in the melting chamber in the configuration of a curtain that adjoins the wall structure and reaches only partially around the periphery of the melting chamber.

The present invention relates to an arrangement for low-pressure casting of refractory metals, with a furnace chamber with one or a plurality of gas supply openings (6) and gas outlet openings (7), and a riser pipe (8) through a cover (5) of the furnace chamber, a melting container (3, 12) for the refractory metals arranged in the furnace chamber, and a heating device for heating the refractory metals in the melting container (3, 12). In the proposed arrangement, the melting container (3, 12) is formed as an exchangeable insert for a receiving mould (2) supporting the melting container (3, 12), which is arranged in the furnace chamber, wherein a thermally insulating layer (4, 17) is formed between the receiving mould (2) and the melting container (3, 12), or is integrated into the melting container (3, 12). With the proposed arrangement, a quick and easy exchange of the melting container for different alloys can also be carried out in the low-pressure casting of refractory metals.

A synthesis method for producing a refractory oxide-ceramic material of CaZrO.sub.3, in particular in the form of a refractory granular material that is preferably mechanically comminuted, in particular crushed and/or ground, as well as to a batch and a coarse ceramic, shaped or unshaped, refractory product containing at least one pre-synthesized refractory calcium zirconate-containing granular material.

A melting kettle for processing of thermoplastic material. The kettle disclosed herein obtains heat transfer by use of an oil jacketed tank with an adjoining main tank for storage of hot oil and a hose tank for recovery of the hot oil. Oil expelled from the oil jacket is directed to the main tank through an opening. Spillage of oil from the hose tank is directed to the main tank through an aperture. The melting kettle reduces the space needed for oil storage, and increases operator safety by eliminating additional transfer lines. Dual kettles benefit by having the adjoining main tank placed therebetween.

A direct current plasma arc furnace includes a tank having a crucible delimiting a chamber to receive material to be melted and/or treated; refractory walls surrounding the crucible outer surface; a metallic frame covering the refractory walls; and a heating system for heating the received material. The heating system includes two electrodes acting as cathode and anode, respectively, wherein the first electrode is a movable electrode to project vertically into the chamber. The crucible is part of an anode system also having the second electrode and at least one part connecting the crucible and second electrode. The crucible receives and holds material to be melted and/or treated and provides electric conduction for the flow of current to heat the material, such that the voltage potential difference between the cathode and any point of the crucible surface defined to be in contact with the material is the same.

A dross processing system crucible comprising a substantially vertical inner wall having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, a bottom having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface affixed to the lower end of the inner wall. A blockable port is disposed in the bottom, and a thermal insulating material covers the outer surface of the vertical inner wall and the lower surface of the bottom. An outer vessel is affixed to the upper end of the substantially vertical inner wall, and the thermal insulating material is disposed between the outer surface of the inner wall and the outer vessel.

Melting kettles for use on vehicles for continuous processing of material for applying lines, stripes, bitumen, crack sealant or the like. The kettles disclosed herein provide heat transfer by use of oil jacketed tanks. A coil may be placed along a lower section for heat transfer through a burner for heating recirculated oil. A coil may be placed in a lower section and an upper section for heating an oil jacket, as well as heat transfer from the entire circumference of a coil placed in the upper section. An upper coil can be fluidly coupled to a lower coil and positioned within the chamber a spaced apart distance from the interior wall of the melter kettle. A mixer system rotates paddles to cause continuous transfer of material around the upper coil. The melter kettle is cylindrical, but can be corrugated to increase heatable surface area.

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.

The present invention relates to an arrangement for low-pressure casting of refractory metals, with a furnace chamber with one or a plurality of gas supply openings (6) and gas outlet openings (7), and a riser pipe (8) through a cover (5) of the furnace chamber, a melting container (3, 12) for the refractory metals arranged in the furnace chamber, and a heating device for heating the refractory metals in the melting container (3, 12). In the proposed arrangement, the melting container (3, 12) is formed as an exchangeable insert for a receiving mould (2) supporting the melting container (3, 12), which is arranged in the furnace chamber, wherein a thermally insulating layer (4, 17) is formed between the receiving mould (2) and the melting container (3, 12), or is integrated into the melting container (3, 12). With the proposed arrangement, a quick and easy exchange of the melting container for different alloys can also be carried out in the low-pressure casting of refractory metals.