Dissolution apparatus, uses, and methods

Abstract

1. An apparatus for melting a metal-containing mixture, in particular a precious metal-containing melt material, comprising a vacuum melting furnace with plasma jet melting means, in which heated melt material comprising the metal-containing mixture is held in a graphite vessel, and the metal-containing mixture, in particular the precious metal-containing melt material, is supplied to the graphite vessel through a supply, in particular a catalyst from an internal combustion engine vehicle, a first side discharge opening can be provided in the graphite vessel for discharging the metal melt, in particular the precious metal melt, and a second side discharge opening, i.e. a siphon discharge opening, for discharging the molten slag, the discharge opening being provided through a wall of the graphite vessel by a lance means, the side siphon discharge opening having associated siphon means comprising an integrated slag brick, and a metal cover plate means, in particular a copper cover plate, adapted to be inserted close to the suitably shaped outlet opening, in order to be replaceable even during operation of the vacuum melting furnace.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for melting a metal-containing mixture, particularly a noble metal-containing melting material, as described in the preamble of claim 1, a use as described in the preamble of claim 9, and a method as described in the preamble of claim 10.

Background Art

[0002] A metal melting furnace operated at a high temperature using a material mixture has to be periodically and expensively stopped for maintenance of its easily worn parts, and it is known that the downtime extends over several days.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The problem of the present invention is to provide a melting device that enables easy and safe maintenance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The above problem is solved by an apparatus for melting metal-containing mixtures, particularly precious metal-containing molten materials, comprising a vacuum melting furnace having plasma jet melting means, wherein the heated molten material containing the metal-containing mixture is held in a graphite tank, the metal-containing mixture of the precious metal-containing molten material is supplied to the graphite tank through a catalyst from a supply unit, particularly an internal combustion engine (motor) (motor) (motor) (motor), a first lateral discharge opening can be provided in the graphite tank for discharging the metal molten material, particularly the precious metal molten material, and a second lateral discharge opening, i.e., a siphon discharge opening, for molten slag, wherein the discharge opening is provided through the wall of the graphite tank by a lance means, the lateral siphon discharge opening has an attached siphon means including an integrated slag brick, and a metal cover plate means is inserted near the outlet opening that is adapted to the shape, in particular having a copper cover plate that is adapted to be replaceable even during operation of the vacuum melting furnace.

[0005] The apparatus according to the present invention allows for the safe maintenance of a vacuum melting furnace, enabling rapid and timely maintenance before unwanted large quantities of valuable metals, especially precious metals, flow out through an excessively large slag outlet opening. The removal of metal cover plates near the outlet opening, particularly copper cover plates, can be performed without damaging the vacuum furnace using the replacement means according to the present invention, eliminating the need to dismantle the furnace. Furthermore, the present invention avoids excessive wear of the slag bricks (Schlackestein) placed in the siphon means, or allows for sufficient cooling of the slag bricks. In this case, maintenance can be completed within a few hours, instead of a complete replacement of the vacuum furnace, which may take about two weeks.

[0006] It is advantageous if the metal cover plate means near the outlet opening, particularly the copper cover plate, is formed to be replaceable in the removal direction.

[0007] In the siphon means, it is advantageous when a side wall is provided in the region of the metal cover plate means, and particularly in the metal cover plate means, particularly in the copper cover plate, a detachable (loesbar) mounting means having a corresponding cavity is provided on the metal cover plate means, particularly in the copper cover plate.

[0008] It is advantageous that the side mounting means is provided on the side wall, and the removable metal cover plate means is adapted to be removable from the side mounting means.

[0009] It is advantageous when a stepped, conforming inclined surface is provided on the side mounting means, and a corresponding inclined surface is provided on the short side of the metal cover plate means.

[0010] It is advantageous to have fixing means for attaching to the side mounting means, particularly when at least two and / or three fixing means are provided for each.

[0011] It is advantageous if the fitted and removable copper cover plate has a predetermined height that is at least approximately the same size as, and especially approximately 2 to 3 times, the siphon discharge opening created by inserting the lance means.

[0012] It is advantageous to provide a removable metal cover plate means, particularly a copper cover plate, in which an exchange sensor system is provided that emits an exchange signal at or above a predetermined opening size.

[0013] The above problems can also be solved by the use of a removable metal cover plate means, particularly a copper cover plate, in the siphon means of a vacuum melting furnace for separating a slag fraction from heated melted material melted in the graphite tank of the vacuum melting furnace, and particularly in the apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 8, which can be removed in the removal direction within the siphon means.

[0014] The above problems are also solved by a method for operating an apparatus for melting a metal-containing mixture, particularly a precious metal-containing molten material, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a vacuum melting furnace having a plasma jet melting means, wherein a heated molten material containing the metal-containing mixture is held in a graphite tank, the metal-containing mixture of the precious metal-containing molten material in particular is supplied to the graphite tank through a supply unit, particularly a catalyst from an internal combustion engine of an automobile, a first lateral discharge opening can be provided in the graphite tank for discharging the metal molten material, particularly the precious metal molten material, and a second lateral discharge opening, i.e., a siphon discharge opening, which is for molten slag, wherein the discharge opening is provided through the wall of the graphite tank by a lance means, the lateral siphon discharge opening has an attached siphon means including an integrated slag brick, and a metal cover plate means is inserted near the outlet opening that is adapted to the shape, particularly a copper cover plate that is provided to be replaced even during operation of the vacuum melting furnace.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description, in which embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention are described in detail in conjunction with the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a detailed diagram of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a detailed diagram of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a detailed diagram of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a detailed diagram of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Figure 1 shows a schematic apparatus 1 according to the present invention for melting a metal-containing mixture, particularly a precious metal-containing melting material 2, comprising a vacuum melting furnace 3 having a plasma jet melting means 4, wherein the heated melting material 2 containing the metal-containing mixture is held in a graphite tank 5, and the metal-containing mixture, particularly the precious metal-containing melting material 2, is supplied to the graphite tank 5 through a supply unit 12, particularly a catalyst from an internal combustion engine of an automobile, and a first lateral discharge opening 6 can be provided in the graphite tank 5 for discharging the metal molten material, particularly the precious metal molten material, and a second for melting slag It has a lateral discharge opening 7, i.e., a siphon discharge opening 8, and the discharge openings 6 and 7 are provided by lance means that penetrate the wall 13 of the graphite tank 5, and the lateral siphon discharge opening 8 has an attached siphon means 14 including an integrated slag brick 15, into which a metal cover plate means 9 near the outlet opening is inserted, and in particular has a copper cover plate 10 which is prepared to be replaceable even during the operation of the vacuum melting furnace 3, and the metal cover plate means 9 near the outlet opening, in particular the copper cover plate 10 is formed to be replaceable in the removal direction 17.

[0018] Figure 2 shows the apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the siphon means 14 having a side wall 16 in the region 18 of the metal cover plate means 9, an exemplary damaged opening 28 by a lance means (not shown), particularly the metal cover plate means 9, particularly the copper cover plate 10, which is provided with a detachable mounting means 20 having a corresponding cavity 21, also shown exemplary in Figures 4 and 5, and a side mounting means 19 is provided on the side wall 16, and the removable metal cover plate means 9 is removablely fitted to the side mounting means 19, particularly removable in the removal direction 17.

[0019] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the apparatus 1 according to the present invention, in which a stepped inclined surface 22 is provided on the side mounting means 19, and a corresponding inclined surface 25 is provided on the short side 24 of the metal cover plate means 9.

[0020] Figure 4 shows in detail the device according to the invention having the retaining step 26 of the side mounting means 19 and the adapted retaining step 27 of the metal cover plate means 9.

[0021] Figure 5 shows in detail the device 1 according to the invention having the mounting means 20 and the cavity 21 for advantageously replacing the metal cover plate means 9.

Explanation of Signs

[0022] 1 Melting device 2 Melting material 3 Vacuum melting furnace 4 Plasma jet melting means 5 Graphite tank 6 First side discharge opening 7 Second side discharge opening 8 Siphon discharge opening 9 Metal cover plate means 10 Copper cover plate 11 Height 12 Supply section 13 Wall 14 Siphon means 15 Slag brick 16 Side wall 17 Withdrawal direction 18 Region 19 Side mounting means 20 Mounting means 21 Cavity 22 Inclined surface 23 Fixing means 24 Short side 25 Inclined surface 26 Retaining step 27 Retaining step 28 Damage opening

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for melting a metal-containing mixture, in particular a noble metal-containing melt material, comprising: In particular, a melting furnace having a plasma jet melting means is provided, and the heated melt material containing the metal-containing mixture is held in a graphite bath; In particular, a metal-containing mixture of precious metal-containing melting material is fed into the graphite bath through a feeder; a first side discharge opening can be provided in the graphite vessel for discharging the metal melt, in particular the precious metal melt, and a second side discharge opening, i.e. a siphon discharge opening, for the molten slag, the first and second side discharge openings being provided through the wall of the graphite vessel by means of lances, The siphon discharge opening has an associated siphon means including an integral slag brick, and a metal cover plate means is inserted adjacent the suitably formed siphon discharge opening, in particular a copper cover plate provided to be formed so as to be replaceable even while the melting furnace is in operation.

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the metal cover plate means, in particular the copper cover plate, close to the siphon discharge opening is formed so as to be replaceable in the withdrawal direction.

3. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the siphon means is provided with a side wall in the region of the metal cover plate means, and wherein a releasable bolt is provided on the metal cover plate means, in particular a copper cover plate, having a corresponding cavity in the metal cover plate means, in particular a copper cover plate.

4. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said side walls are provided with side mounting means, and said removable metal cover plate means is removably adapted to said side mounting means.

5. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein matching stepped ramps are provided on said side mounting means and corresponding ramps are provided on the short sides of said metal cover plate means.

6. 6. A device according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the bolts for attachment to the side attachment means are provided, in particular at least two and / or three bolts respectively.

7. 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adapted removable copper cover plate has a predetermined short side that is at least approximately the same size as the siphon discharge opening created by the lance means, in particular approximately two to three times as large.

8. 8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a replacement sensor system is provided which emits a replacement signal above a predetermined opening size in the removable metal cover plate means, in particular a copper cover plate.

9. 10. Use of a removable metal cover plate means, in particular a copper cover plate, in a siphon means of a melting furnace for separating a portion of slag from heated molten material melted in a graphite bath of said melting furnace, said cover plate being removable in a removal direction within said siphon means in an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. 10. A method for operating an apparatus according to claim 1 for melting a metal-containing mixture, in particular a precious metal-containing melt material, comprising a melting furnace having plasma jet melting means, wherein heated melt material comprising the metal-containing mixture is held in a graphite vessel, and a metal-containing mixture, in particular a precious metal-containing melt material, is fed to the graphite vessel through a feed, a first side discharge opening can be provided in the graphite vessel for discharging the metal melt, in particular the precious metal melt, and a second side discharge opening, i.e. a siphon discharge opening, for molten slag, the first and second side discharge openings being provided through a wall of the graphite vessel by lance means, the siphon discharge opening having associated siphon means comprising an integrated slag brick, and a suitably shaped metal cover plate means is inserted close to the siphon discharge opening, in particular a copper cover plate which is adapted to be replaced even during operation of the melting furnace.

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