Method and apparatus for removing bottom dross from molten metal

摘要

An apparatus for removing bottom dross from molten zinc contained in a coating pot includes a pump, a traversing carriage for positioning the inlet of the pump in a desired horizontal location and a slide mechanism for positioning the inlet of the pump in a desired vertical location. The pump is moved in horizontal and vertical direction to remove the accumulated bottom dross. The bottom dross contained in molten zinc is pumped into a V-shaped channel and allowed to flow into either a removable basket or into a pre-melt pot. The pump of the present invention is a pedestal, centrifugal graphite pump powered by an air motor. The pump has a housing enclosing an impeller. The distance between the impeller and the inner wall of the housing is sufficiently large to avoid plugging by the bottom dross but sufficiently small to permit pumping.