| 摘要 |
<p><P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electroslag-cold hearth (ESCH) system for refining or producing a desired metal or metal alloy. <P>SOLUTION: The system includes at least one cold hearth vessel (35) capable of holding a pool (44) of molten liquid metal and an overlying slag layer (40), and an ingot mold (36) laterally off-set from the cold hearth (35). A source of raw material, e.g., a feed electrode (34), is positioned above the cold hearth (35), and fed into the molten slag (40) in a refining operation. A flow-over dam (54) separates the ingot mold (36) from the cold hearth (35), preventing the flow of inclusions and other foreign bodies into the ingot mold. In some instances, a non-consumable electrode provides additional thermal energy to the slag. In the production operation, the metal source can be a salt from which the desired metal can be electrochemically extracted. Related methods for refining or producing metals such as titanium alloys are also described. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI</p> |
