A load lock system for manufacturing a metal alloy using a feed material includes a process chamber having a controlled atmosphere, a feed chamber in flow communication with the process chamber having controlled atmosphere capabilities configured to contain a quantity of the feed material, and a collection chamber in flow communication with the process chamber having controlled atmosphere capabilities configured to collect the metal alloy manufactured in the process chamber. The system also includes a gate valve between the process chamber and the feed chamber configured to either allow passage of the feed material between the chambers, or to seal the process chamber from the feed chamber. The system also includes a discharge valve between the process chamber and the collection chamber configured to either allow passage of the metal alloy between the chambers, or to seal the process chamber from the collection chamber.

A load lock system for manufacturing a metal alloy using a feed material includes a process chamber having a controlled atmosphere, a feed chamber in flow communication with the process chamber having controlled atmosphere capabilities configured to contain a quantity of the feed material, and a collection chamber in flow communication with the process chamber having controlled atmosphere capabilities configured to collect the metal alloy manufactured in the process chamber. The system also includes a gate valve between the process chamber and the feed chamber configured to either allow passage of the feed material between the chambers, or to seal the process chamber from the feed chamber. The system also includes a discharge valve between the process chamber and the collection chamber configured to either allow passage of the metal alloy between the chambers, or to seal the process chamber from the collection chamber.

A process and a plant for preheating a metal charge fed in continuous to an electric melting furnace through a preheating tunnel provided with a horizontal conveyor, wherein the metal charge is hit, in countercurrent, by the exhaust fumes or gas leaving the electric melting furnace and by jets of gas ejected through a plurality of nozzles positioned on the hood of the tunnel. The nozzles are arranged in groups interspaced from each other in a longitudinal direction with respect to the tunnel, and generate a small-scale turbulence or inject small fast gas jets that can penetrate the main gas stream passing through the preheating tunnel, and simultaneously generate a “horseshoe vortex” structure composed of a descending central gas flow (“downwash”), and ascending flows (“upwash”) close to the side walls of the preheating tunnel, which enable a desired circulation of the gases.

A process and a plant for preheating a metal charge fed in continuous to an electric melting furnace through a preheating tunnel provided with a horizontal conveyor, wherein the metal charge is hit, in countercurrent, by the exhaust fumes or gas leaving the electric melting furnace and by jets of gas ejected through a plurality of nozzles positioned on the hood of the tunnel. The nozzles are arranged in groups interspaced from each other in a longitudinal direction with respect to the tunnel, and generate a small-scale turbulence or inject small fast gas jets that can penetrate the main gas stream passing through the preheating tunnel, and simultaneously generate a “horseshoe vortex” structure composed of a descending central gas flow (“downwash”), and ascending flows (“upwash”) close to the side walls of the preheating tunnel, which enable a desired circulation of the gases.

A furnace assembly for a metal-making process, including: an electric arc furnace configured for flat bath operation and having a bottom, and an electromagnetic stirrer configured to be arranged underneath the bottom of the electric arc furnace to enable stirring of molten metal in the electric arc furnace.

A furnace assembly for a metal-making process, including: an electric arc furnace configured for flat bath operation and having a bottom, and an electromagnetic stirrer configured to be arranged underneath the bottom of the electric arc furnace to enable stirring of molten metal in the electric arc furnace.

This electric furnace includes one or more upper electrodes, one or more bottom-blowing tuyeres, a mechanical stirrer equipped with an impeller, and a charging device which injects an iron oxide-containing iron raw material.

An apparatus for use in conjunction with a charge well of a furnace containing a molten metal pool into which metal chips are introduced for melting. The apparatus includes a sidewell having a pump well and a charge well. The pump well houses a molten metal pump. The charge well houses a scrap submergence device. The pump well and the charge well are in fluid communication via a passage in a bridge wall that divides the pump well from the charge well. The bridge wall defines a semi-circular end wall of the charge well. The scrap submergence device is capable of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation at variable speed.

An apparatus for use in conjunction with a charge well of a furnace containing a molten metal pool into which metal chips are introduced for melting. The apparatus includes a sidewell having a pump well and a charge well. The pump well houses a molten metal pump. The charge well houses a scrap submergence device. The pump well and the charge well are in fluid communication via a passage in a bridge wall that divides the pump well from the charge well. The bridge wall defines a semi-circular end wall of the charge well. The scrap submergence device is capable of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation at variable speed.

A process and plant for preheating a metal charge fed in continuous to an electric melting furnace through a preheating tunnel provided with side walls, a vault and a horizontal conveyor, wherein the metal charge is enveloped in countercurrent by fumes or exhaust gases exiting from the electric melting furnace, includes causing an air intake from the surrounding environment through openings along the preheating tunnel to complete the combustion of the fumes or exhaust gases. The intake is regulated by acting on suction fans and/or on the openings, based on measurements by temperature sensors and/or the composition of the outgoing gases in or downstream of the terminal part of the tunnel. The metal charge is enveloped by jets of gas ejected through a plurality of nozzles arranged non-uniformly longitudinally on the vault of the tunnel, with a greater concentration on the top of the vault of the tunnel.