A smart molten metal pump system and method automatically controls the operating speed of the pump rather than requiring an operator to control the speed. The system includes a pump, a controller for controlling the speed of the pump and one or more vibration sensors (such as an accelerometer) to measure vibration. The controller receives input about the vibration of the pump or one or more pump components, and possibly other data, such as the temperature of the molten metal, and/or the depth of the molten metal, ad/or parameters related to the operation of the pump. The controller analyzes the one or more inputs to vary the speed of the pump, turn the pump off, and/or send a communication to an operator.

A system according to aspects of the invention includes a pump and a refractory casing that houses the pump or is in fluid communication with the pump. As the pump operates it moves molten metal upward through an uptake section of the casing until it reaches a rectangular outlet wherein it exits the vessel. The rectangular outlet is configured to be connected to, or may be attached to, a launder. Another system uses a wall to divide a cavity of the chamber into two portions. The wall has an opening and a pump pumps molten metal from a first portion into a second portion until the level in the second portion reaches an outlet and exits the vessel.

Disclosed are apparatus and method for preparing carbon black, in which the carbon black may be continuously formed and activated. In one embodiment, carbon black powders formed in a combustion reactor are converted into a slurry which in turn is refluxed to the combustion reactor in a repeated manner, thereby to allow successive activation treatments. In this way, a sufficient residence time for the activation of the carbon black may be secured.

Disclosed are apparatus and method for preparing carbon black, in which the carbon black may be continuously formed and activated. In one embodiment, carbon black powders formed in a combustion reactor are converted into a slurry which in turn is refluxed to the combustion reactor in a repeated manner, thereby to allow successive activation treatments. In this way, a sufficient residence time for the activation of the carbon black may be secured.

A multi-chamber melting furnace for melting scrap of non-ferrous metals, in particular aluminum scrap, including a first shaft furnace with a shaft for charge material, in which impurities of the charge material can be removed, and at least one furnace chamber which is connected to the shaft of the first shaft furnace and has a first heat supply device, wherein at least one second shaft furnace with a shaft for charge material, in which shaft impurities of the charge material can be removed, the furnace chamber being connected to the shaft of the second shaft furnace and being arranged between the shafts in such a manner that the furnace chamber forms a main melting chamber in which the molten bath is located during operation.

A multi-chamber melting furnace for melting scrap of non-ferrous metals, in particular aluminum scrap, including a first shaft furnace with a shaft for charge material, in which impurities of the charge material can be removed, and at least one furnace chamber which is connected to the shaft of the first shaft furnace and has a first heat supply device, wherein at least one second shaft furnace with a shaft for charge material, in which shaft impurities of the charge material can be removed, the furnace chamber being connected to the shaft of the second shaft furnace and being arranged between the shafts in such a manner that the furnace chamber forms a main melting chamber in which the molten bath is located during operation.

A multi-opening oven assembly for simultaneously heating a plurality of blanks, for example aluminum blanks, before forming the heated blanks in a production line is provided. The oven assembly includes vertically aligned shelves to present a plurality of chambers for heating the blanks. A table including an entry side platform and an exit side platform moves vertically along the oven assembly. A rail system extends along the platforms and the shelves to convey the blanks in and out of the chambers. Once one set of heated blanks is removed from a first chamber, the table moves vertically to a second chamber and is ready to receive the next set of heated blanks. A continuous supply of heated blanks is provided for high throughput. The oven assembly is preferably disposed in a press adjacent a forming station of an existing production line and thus, no additional floor space is required.

An exemplary furnace system for melting stock metal includes a main hearth and a side well subsystem, which includes a melting well disposed downstream of the main hearth for receiving flow from the main hearth, an input flow inducer disposed upstream of the melting well and downstream of the main hearth, and an output flow inducer disposed downstream of the melting well and upstream of the main hearth. The input flow inducer drives molten metal into the melting well, thereby forming a differential metal head in the melting well. The output flow inducer evacuates molten metal from an output conduit, thereby reducing counter-pressure at an output port of the melting well communicating with the output conduit. This allows atmospheric pressure to add to the differential metal head in the melting well, resulting in an increase in productivity of the side well subsystem and of the furnace system as a whole.

The invention is directed to a process for extracting a metal from a slag containing said metal, wherein the liquefied metal-containing slag is heated in at least one electric arc furnace (1, 2). In order provide an improved method for recovering especially copper from slags, the invention provides that the metal-containing slag is heated in a first furnace (1) constructed as an AC electric furnace or a DC electric furnace, and the melt is introduced from the first furnace (1) into a second furnace (2) which is constructed as a DC electric furnace. Further, the invention is directed to an arrangement for extracting a metal from a slag containing said metal.

The invention is directed to a process for extracting a metal from a slag containing said metal, wherein the liquefied metal-containing slag is heated in at least one electric arc furnace (1, 2). In order provide an improved method for recovering especially copper from slags, the invention provides that the metal-containing slag is heated in a first furnace (1) constructed as an AC electric furnace or a DC electric furnace, and the melt is introduced from the first furnace (1) into a second furnace (2) which is constructed as a DC electric furnace. Further, the invention is directed to an arrangement for extracting a metal from a slag containing said metal.