Impurity collector

Abstract

To provide an impurity recovery tool capable of recovering impurities precipitated in a lower part of molten metal.SOLUTION: The impurity collector includes a collection portion to be immersed in the molten metal, and a rod-shaped operation portion connected to the collection portion to move the collection portion on the bottom wall on which the impurities are deposited. The collecting portion includes a case body having an opening through which the impurities are introduced into the collecting portion and capable of holding the impurities. In the case body, a first portion that is a part in a circumferential direction that is a direction surrounding the opening is coupled to the operation portion, and at least one of a second portion that is a portion facing the first portion in the circumferential direction and a third portion that is a portion facing the opening is a liquid passage portion through which the molten metal can pass. The liquid-passing portion includes at least a net-like layer capable of capturing impurities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an impurity recovery tool used to recover impurities that settle to the bottom of molten metal. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a holding furnace maintains molten metal, produced by melting metals such as aluminum and aluminum alloys, at a predetermined temperature. The molten metal held in the holding furnace contains impurities such as oxides, intermetallic compounds, and foreign matter. The molten metal is pumped out of the pumping chamber of the holding furnace and used for casting, but when molten metal containing impurities is used for casting, the impurities are mixed into the casting as hard spots. When impurities are mixed into the casting, the casting suffers from quality defects, reduced performance, and other problems.

[0003] The applicant has proposed an impurity removal unit as a device for removing impurities from molten metal, as described in Patent Document 1. The impurity removal unit described in Patent Document 1 is installed, for example, between the holding chamber and the pumping chamber of a holding furnace. This prevents impurities floating on the surface of the molten metal in the holding chamber and impurities settling at the bottom of the molten metal from flowing from the holding chamber into the pumping chamber along with the molten metal, thereby preventing impurities from being mixed into the molten metal being pumped out of the pumping chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7445247 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The impurity removal unit described in Patent Document 1 can prevent impurities from being mixed into the molten metal being pumped from the pumping chamber. However, the impurity removal unit described in Patent Document 1 is not intended to actively recover impurities from the holding chamber. Currently, it is possible to recover impurities floating on the surface of the molten metal in the holding chamber or pumping chamber of a holding furnace, but no equipment exists for recovering impurities that settle to the bottom of the molten metal. When attempting to recover impurities that have settled and accumulated on the bottom wall of a holding furnace by scooping them up with a shovel, for example, the settled impurities end up being thrown up into the molten metal. As a result, the impurities cannot be recovered efficiently and are dispersed throughout the molten metal. Therefore, the settled impurities are currently left on the bottom wall without being recovered.

[0006] However, if the precipitated impurities are left on the bottom wall, the temperature of the molten metal may not be maintained stably because the impurities have a different thermal conductivity from the molten metal. Furthermore, the impurities may affect the refractory material of the holding furnace, potentially damaging it. Furthermore, in holding furnaces that use immersion heaters to maintain the temperature of the molten metal at a predetermined temperature, the accumulation of impurities on the immersion heater reduces the heating efficiency of the immersion heater for the molten metal. Therefore, excessive heat may be required to heat the molten metal using the immersion heater to maintain the temperature. Furthermore, if a large amount of impurities have settled, the impurities may damage the immersion heater when the molten metal is removed from the holding furnace for cleaning, etc.

[0007] Therefore, one of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide an impurity recovery tool capable of recovering impurities that settle at the bottom of molten metal in a holding furnace or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure is used to recover impurities that settle at the bottom of molten metal. The impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure includes a collection unit that is submerged in the molten metal and a rod-shaped operating unit connected to the collection unit for moving the collection unit above the bottom wall where the impurities accumulate. The collection unit includes a case body that has an opening for introducing the impurities into the case body and is capable of holding the impurities. In the case body, a first portion that is a portion in the circumferential direction surrounding the opening is connected to the operating unit, and at least one of a second portion that is a portion facing the first portion in the circumferential direction and a third portion that is a portion facing the opening is a liquid passage portion through which the molten metal can pass. The liquid passage portion includes at least a mesh layer that can capture the impurities. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an impurity recovery tool capable of recovering impurities that settle at the bottom of molten metal in a holding furnace or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a left side view of the impurity collector. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the impurity collector. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the impurity collector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the impurity collector. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the impurity collector. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the impurity collector. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the case body taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the case body taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the case body taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 10A]FIG. 10A is an explanatory view showing a procedure for collecting impurities using an impurity collector. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is an explanatory view showing a procedure for collecting impurities using the impurity collector. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a holding furnace. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. An impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure is a tool for recovering impurities that settle to the bottom of molten metal and accumulate on the bottom wall of equipment that stores molten metal, thereby removing the impurities from the molten metal. The impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure can be suitably used, for example, in a holding furnace (including a melting and holding furnace) that holds molten metal containing aluminum, aluminum alloy, or other metals at a predetermined temperature, when recovering impurities that settle to the bottom of molten metal stored in a holding chamber and a pumping chamber.

[0012] The impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure includes a collection unit that is submerged in molten metal and a rod-shaped operating unit connected to the collection unit for moving the collection unit on a bottom wall where the impurities accumulate. The collection unit includes a case body having an opening for introducing the impurities therein and capable of holding the impurities. In the case body, the operating unit is connected to a first portion that is a portion in the circumferential direction surrounding the opening, and at least one of a second portion that is a portion facing the first portion in the circumferential direction and a third portion that is a portion facing the opening is a liquid passage portion through which the molten metal can pass. The liquid passage portion includes at least a mesh layer that can capture the impurities.

[0013] When using an impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure to recover impurities that have settled to the bottom of molten metal, a user holds the operating unit connected to the collection unit, submerges the collection unit in the molten metal, and then moves the collection unit over the bottom wall where the impurities are accumulating. As a result, the impurities that have settled on the bottom wall enter the interior of the case body through the opening in the collection unit and are retained within the case body. This prevents impurities that have settled to the bottom of the molten metal from floating up into the molten metal. Meanwhile, the molten metal that enters the interior of the case body along with the impurities flows out of the case body through a liquid passage in at least one of the second and third sections of the case body. The liquid passage includes a mesh layer capable of capturing impurities. Impurities that enter the interior of the case body are captured by the mesh layer and retained within the case body, preventing them from flowing out of the case body with the molten metal. Thus, the impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure can recover impurities that have settled to the bottom of molten metal.

[0014] In the impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure, the second section serving as the liquid passage section may further include a plate-like layer covering the mesh layer from the outside, and the plate-like layer may have multiple through-holes. In the case body, the second section facing the first section to which the operating section is connected is the section pressed against the bottom wall when the collection section moves, and is prone to deformation or damage due to friction with the bottom wall. By configuring the impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure in this manner, the mesh layer, which has weak strength in the second section of the case body that presses against the bottom wall when the collection section moves, is protected by the plate-like layer, thereby preventing deformation or damage of the mesh layer due to friction with the bottom wall. Furthermore, since the plate-like layer has multiple through-holes, molten metal can pass through the second section of the case body. Therefore, the case body can discharge the molten metal to the outside.

[0015] In the impurity collector according to the present disclosure, the case body may be formed by a mesh-like basket-shaped main body capable of capturing the impurities, and a plate-shaped support provided at least along the circumferential direction of the basket-shaped main body and covering the basket-shaped main body from the outside, the operating unit may be connected to the support, and a plurality of through holes may be formed in a portion of the support opposite to the portion to which the operating unit is connected. By adopting such a configuration, the impurity collector according to the present disclosure can be made into a simple structure.

[0016] In the impurity collector according to the present disclosure, the cage-shaped main body includes opposing first and second mesh portions, a third mesh portion facing the opening, and opposing fourth and fifth mesh portions, the fourth and fifth mesh portions being cylindrically connected to the first and second mesh portions. The support includes a first plate portion covering the first mesh portion and to which the operating portion is connected, a second plate portion covering the second mesh portion, a third plate portion covering the third mesh portion, a fourth plate portion covering the fourth mesh portion, and a fifth plate portion covering the fifth mesh portion. At least one of the second and third plate portions may have a plurality of through holes. With this configuration, the impurity collector according to the present disclosure is protected entirely by the plate-shaped support, thereby effectively preventing deformation or damage to the cage-shaped main body, which has weak strength. Furthermore, at least one of the second and third plate portions of the support includes a plurality of through holes, allowing molten metal to pass through the plurality of through holes in the support. Therefore, the case body can discharge the molten metal to the outside.

[0017] In the impurity collector according to the present disclosure, the cage-shaped body may be formed of carbon fiber, glass fiber, or ceramic fiber, and the support may be formed of ceramic. With this configuration, the impurity collector according to the present disclosure has a non-metallic cage-shaped body and support. Therefore, even when the cage-shaped body and support are immersed in molten metal during impurity collection, other metals are not mixed into the molten metal. Therefore, even when the impurity collector is used in molten metal, deterioration in the quality of the molten metal is suppressed.

[0018] In the impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure, at least two of the operating parts may be arranged at intervals on the case body along an axial direction that is a direction toward and away from the opening, and the operating parts may be rotatably connected to the case body such that a first end on the side connected to the case body is at the center and a second end on the opposite side to the first end moves along the axial direction. By configuring the impurity recovery device according to the present disclosure in this manner, the case body can be rotated by the two operating parts, and the orientation of the case body (the orientation of the opening) in the molten metal can be easily changed.

[0019] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] Next, an embodiment of an impurity collection device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. FIGS. 1 to 6 show the appearance of an impurity collection device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 7 to 9 show the internal structure of the impurity collection device 1. FIGS. 10A and 10B show how to use the impurity collection device 1. FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration of a holding furnace 10 in which the impurity collection device 1 is used. Note that the equipment in which the impurity collection device 1 is used is not limited to the holding furnace 10.

[0020] (Explanation of holding furnace) 11, holding furnace 10 includes holding chamber 11 for holding molten metal 100, which is a melted metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, while maintaining the molten metal 100 at a predetermined temperature, and pumping chamber 12 for pumping out molten metal 100. Molten metal 100 is supplied to holding chamber 11 of holding furnace 10, for example, from a melting furnace via a transfer trough or a transfer ladle. Alternatively, if holding furnace 10 is a melting and holding furnace further equipped with a melting chamber for melting metal, molten metal 100 is supplied to holding chamber 11 from the melting chamber.

[0021] The holding furnace 10 is shaped like a vessel with an opening at the top, and includes a bottom wall 13 and a side wall 14. The holding furnace 10 holds molten metal 100 in a space surrounded by the side wall 14 on the bottom wall 13. The holding chamber 11 and the pumping chamber 12 are separated by a partition wall 15, thereby defining the space. A detachable lid 16 is provided on top of the holding chamber 11. The molten metal 100 in the holding chamber 11 is heated by a heater and maintained at a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the metal. The heater may be, for example, a burner 17 or an immersion heater; in the illustrated example, the burner 17 is attached to the lid 16.

[0022] A communication part 18 that connects the holding chamber 11 and the pumping chamber 12 is formed below the partition wall 15 and above the bottom wall 13. The molten metal 100 in the holding chamber 11 can move from the holding chamber 11 to the pumping chamber 12 through the communication part 18. When the molten metal 100 is stored in the pumping chamber 12 and the molten metal 100 in the pumping chamber 12 is pumped out and the liquid level of the molten metal 100 drops, the molten metal 100 in the holding chamber 11 moves to the pumping chamber 12.

[0023] Molten metal 100 contains impurities 101 such as oxides, intermetallic compounds, and foreign matter. The impurities 101 settle at the bottom of molten metal 100 and also float on the surface of molten metal 100. The impurity recovery device 1 is intended to recover impurities 101 that settle at the bottom of molten metal 100.

[0024] (Explanation of impurity collection device) 1 to 6 and 10A and 10B, impurity collector 1 includes collection unit 2 and rod-shaped operating unit 3 connected to collection unit 2. In impurity collector 1, collection unit 2 is a part that is submerged in molten metal 100 and collects impurities 101 that accumulate on bottom wall 13. In contrast, operating unit 3 is a part that is operated by a user to move collection unit 2 above bottom wall 13 on which impurities 101 accumulate.

[0025] (Explanation of the collection unit) The collection unit 2 includes a case body 4 and a plate-shaped scraper 5 attached to the case body 4. The case body 4 takes in and retains impurities 101 deposited on the bottom wall 13 through an opening 40. The scraper 5 is attached to the case body 4 to scrape off the impurities 101 adhering to the bottom wall 13 from the bottom wall 13.

[0026] Note that the case body 4 retaining the impurities 101 inside means that the impurities 101 do not leak out of the case body 4 from parts other than the opening 40 of the case body 4. However, this does not mean that the impurities 101 do not leak out completely, but rather that the impurities 101 are unlikely to leak out, and a small amount of impurities 101 leaking out is acceptable.

[0027] (Case body description) 1 to 6 , the case body 4 has a storage space for storing impurities and an opening 40 for introducing impurities into the storage space. In this embodiment, the case body 4 has a hexahedral shape, and one of the six faces of the case body 4 entirely forms the opening 40. The case body 4 has a rectangular outer shape when viewed in the axial direction. The case body 4 includes a first portion 41 and a second portion 42 that face each other, a third portion 43 that faces the opening 40, and a fourth portion 44 and a fifth portion 45 that face each other. The first portion 41, the second portion 42, the fourth portion 44, and the fifth portion 45 form a cylindrical body, with the opening 40 formed at one axial end of the case body 4 and the third portion 43 connected to the other axial end. The axial direction refers to the direction approaching and receding from the opening 40 and is referred to as the front-to-rear direction in this disclosure.

[0028] The operating unit 3 is connected to a first portion 41, which is a circumferential portion of the case body 4. The circumferential direction of the case body 4 is the direction surrounding the opening 40 and perpendicular to the axial direction. The case body 4 moves on the bottom wall 13 with the first portion 41, to which the operating unit 3 is connected, and the second portion 42, which faces the first portion 41, horizontal, with the first portion 41 facing the upper surface and the second portion 42 facing the lower surface. In this embodiment, the first portion 41 and the second portion 42 have the same length along the axial direction, but the length along either of the first and second portions 41 and 42 may be greater.

[0029] 7 to 9, the case body 4 can be formed by a mesh-like cage-shaped main body 6 and a plate-shaped support 7. In the case body 4, the cage-shaped main body 6 is a portion that holds impurities 101 introduced into the interior through the opening 40. In contrast, the support 7 is a portion that covers the cage-shaped main body 6, which has weak strength, from the outside to protect the cage-shaped main body 6, thereby suppressing deformation or damage to the cage-shaped main body 6. In addition, the support 7 is a portion to which the operating unit 3 is connected.

[0030] The support 7 is fixed to the cage-shaped main body 6 by, for example, welding. The method for fixing the support 7 to the cage-shaped main body 6 is not particularly limited. By forming the impurity collector 1 using the cage-shaped main body 6 and the support 7, the impurity collector 1 can be formed with a simple structure.

[0031] The mesh size of the basket-shaped main body 6 is smaller than the size of the impurities 101, so that the impurities 101 can be captured and retained therein. Therefore, the mesh size of the basket-shaped main body 6 can be appropriately set according to the size of the impurities 101 that precipitate in the equipment that recovers the impurities 101 using the impurity recovery device 1. For example, if the impurities 101 recovered by the impurity recovery device 1 are about the size of a human fist, the mesh size of the basket-shaped main body 6 for appropriately capturing the impurities 101 is about 50 mm. On the other hand, if the impurities 101 recovered by the impurity recovery device 1 are fine dregs, the mesh size of the basket-shaped main body 6 for appropriately capturing the impurities 101 is about 0.1 mm. In this way, the mesh size of the basket-shaped main body 6 can be appropriately changed according to the size of the impurities 101 to be recovered, and is, for example, between 0.1 mm and 100 mm, but is not limited to the above-mentioned range.

[0032] The cage-shaped body 6 can be formed by weaving, into a net, wires of metals such as alloy steels, such as stainless steel and carbon steel, or cast iron, as well as heat-resistant fibers, such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, and ceramic fiber. Among these, when the cage-shaped body 6 is formed using non-metallic fibers, such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, and ceramic fiber, it is possible to prevent other metals from dissolving and mixing into the molten metal 100 when the cage-shaped body 6 is immersed in the molten metal 100 during the collection of the impurities 101, and therefore it is possible to prevent adverse effects on the quality of the molten metal 100.

[0033] The support 7 can be formed using a material having excellent heat resistance, hardness, and wear resistance, such as a metal, such as an alloy steel, such as stainless steel or carbon steel, or cast iron, or a material such as ceramic. Among these, when the support 7 is formed using a non-metallic material, such as ceramic, it is possible to prevent other metals from dissolving and mixing into the molten metal 100 when the support 7 is immersed in the molten metal 100 during the recovery of the impurities 101, and therefore it is possible to prevent the quality of the molten metal 100 from being affected.

[0034] The support body 7 is provided at least along the circumferential direction of the cage-shaped main body 6, and covers and protects at least the cylindrical portion of the cage-shaped main body 6 that surrounds the opening 40 from the outside. In this embodiment, the support body 7 covers and protects the entire cage-shaped main body 6, including the portion of the cage-shaped main body 6 that faces the opening 40, from the outside.

[0035] The thickness of the support 7 can be set to an appropriate value, for example, in consideration of the strength and weight of the support 7 depending on the material of the support 7.

[0036] In this embodiment, the cage-shaped main body 6 and the support body 7 are hexahedral, and one of the six faces of the cage-shaped main body 6 and the support body 7 is entirely an opening 40. The cage-shaped main body 6 and the support body 7 have a rectangular outer shape when viewed in the axial direction. The cage-shaped main body 6 includes a first mesh portion 61 and a second mesh portion 62 that face each other, a third mesh portion 63 that faces the opening 40, and a fourth mesh portion 64 and a fifth mesh portion 65 that face each other. The first mesh portion 61, the second mesh portion 62, the fourth mesh portion 64, and the fifth mesh portion 65 are connected together to form a cylindrical body. The support body 7 includes a first plate portion 71 that covers the first mesh portion 61 from the outside, a second plate portion 72 that covers the second mesh portion 62 from the outside, a third plate portion 73 that covers the third mesh portion 63 from the outside, a fourth plate portion 74 that covers the fourth mesh portion 64 from the outside, and a fifth plate portion 75 that covers the fifth mesh portion 65 from the outside. The first plate portion 71, the second plate portion 72, the fourth plate portion 74, and the fifth plate portion 75 form a cylindrical body that is connected in a cylindrical shape.

[0037] That is, the case body 4 includes a mesh layer and a plate layer in all of the first portion 41 to the fifth portion 45. Specifically, the first portion 41 of the case body 4 is formed by the first mesh portion 61 of the basket-shaped main body 6 and the first plate portion 71 of the support body 7. The second portion 42 of the case body 4 is formed by the second mesh portion 62 of the basket-shaped main body 6 and the second plate portion 72 of the support body 7. The third portion 43 of the case body 4 is formed by the third mesh portion 63 of the basket-shaped main body 6 and the third plate portion 73 of the support body 7. The fourth portion 44 of the case body 4 is formed by the fourth mesh portion 64 of the basket-shaped main body 6 and the fourth plate portion 74 of the support body 7. The fifth portion 45 of the case body 4 is formed by the fifth mesh portion 65 of the basket-shaped main body 6 and the fifth plate portion 75 of the support body 7.

[0038] The operation unit 3 is connected to a first plate portion 71 of the support body 7. A plurality of through holes 70 are formed at intervals in a second plate portion 72 of the support body 7, which is a portion facing the first plate portion 71 to which the operation unit 3 is connected. The plurality of through holes 70 can be formed uniformly over the entire area of ​​the second plate portion 72. The second plate portion 72 has the plurality of through holes 70 formed therein, allowing the molten metal 100 to pass through. As a result, the second portion 42 of the case body 4, which is formed by the second mesh portion 62 of the cage-shaped main body 6 and the second plate portion 72 of the support body 7, functions as a liquid passage portion through which the molten metal 100 can pass. Therefore, the molten metal 100 that has entered the inside of the case body 4 together with the impurities 101 passes through the second portion 42 (liquid passage portion) of the case body 4, allowing the case body 4 to discharge the molten metal 100 to the outside.

[0039] Furthermore, a plurality of through holes 70 are formed at intervals in the third plate portion 73 of the support body 7, which is a portion facing the opening 40. The plurality of through holes 70 can be uniformly formed over the entire area of ​​the third plate portion 73. The third plate portion 73 has a plurality of through holes 70 formed therein, allowing the molten metal 100 to pass through. As a result, the third portion 43 of the case body 4, which is formed by the third mesh portion 63 of the cage-shaped main body 6 and the third plate portion 73 of the support body 7, functions as a liquid passage portion through which the molten metal 100 can pass, similar to the second portion 42. Therefore, the molten metal 100 that has entered the inside of the case body 4 together with the impurities 101 can pass through the third portion 43 (liquid passage portion) in addition to the second portion 42, and therefore the case body 4 can efficiently discharge the molten metal 100 to the outside.

[0040] In this embodiment, no through holes 70 are formed in the first plate portion 71, the fourth plate portion 74, and the fifth plate portion 75 of the support body 7, but multiple through holes 70 may be formed therein, as with the second plate portion 72 and the third plate portion 73. In this embodiment, multiple through holes 70 are formed in both the second plate portion 72 and the third plate portion 73 of the support body 7, but multiple through holes 70 may be formed in only one of the second plate portion 72 and the third plate portion 73.

[0041] The shape, size, pitch, number of holes per unit area, etc. of the through holes 70 are not particularly limited, and appropriate values ​​can be set, for example, taking into consideration the strength of each plate portion of the support body 7 and the ease with which the molten metal 100 flows out.

[0042] (Scraper explanation) The scraper 5 is provided on the second plate portion 72, which is the portion of the support body 7 that faces the bottom wall 13 when the impurities 101 are collected. The scraper 5 protrudes from the tip of the second plate portion 72 of the support body 7 (the end opposite the third plate portion 73). The tip of the scraper 5 may be sharpened by gradually reducing its thickness. This allows the scraper 5 to effectively peel off the impurities 101 adhering to the bottom wall 13 from the bottom wall 13.

[0043] (Explanation of the operation section) At least one operating unit 3 is connected to the first part 41 of the case body 4. In this embodiment, two operating units 3 are connected to the first part 41 of the case body 4, but only one operating unit 3 may be connected to the first part 41 of the case body 4, or three or more operating units 3 may be connected to the first part 41 of the case body 4. The two operating units 3 are arranged at an interval along the front-to-rear direction, which is the axial direction of the case body 4. In other words, one operating unit 3 of the two operating units 3 is connected to a position near the opening 40 in the first part 41 of the case body 4, and the other operating unit 3 is connected to a position near the third part 43 on the opposite side of the opening 40 in the first part 41 of the case body 4.

[0044] The operating unit 3 may be connected to the first part 41 of the case body 4 in a fixed state so as not to rotate, or may be connected to the first part 41 of the case body 4 so as to be rotatable about a first end 31 on the side connected to the case body 4, as in this embodiment. The direction of rotation of the operating unit 3 is the front-to-rear direction, which is the axial direction of the case body 4. In other words, the operating unit 3 is connected to the case body 4 so as to be rotatable about the first end 31 such that a second end 32 on the opposite side to the first end 31 moves along the front-to-rear direction of the case body 4.

[0045] By the user pushing and pulling the two operating parts 3 in the forward and backward directions of the case body 4, the case body 4 can be rotated in the molten metal 100 as shown in Figures 10(A) and 10(B), and the orientation of the case body 4 (the orientation of the opening 40) can be easily changed.

[0046] There are no particular limitations on the structure for rotatably connecting the operation unit 3 to the first part 41 of the case body 4. For example, the operation unit 3 is rotatably connected to the first part 41 of the case body 4 by providing a bearing 8 consisting of a pair of plates in the first part 41 of the case body 4 and passing a rotation shaft 9 provided in the bearing 8 through the second end part 32 of the operation unit 3.

[0047] The operation unit 3 may be a rod-like shape with a circular cross section as in this embodiment, or a rod-like shape with a polygonal cross section such as a square (including a shape similar to a flat plate). The operation unit 3 may extend in a straight line, or may extend in a straight line that is bent partway as in this embodiment. A handle 30 may be provided at the second end 32 of the operation unit 3 as in this embodiment so that the user can easily hold the operation unit 3 in their hand.

[0048] (Explanation of how to use the impurity collection tool) Next, a method in which a user uses the impurity collector 1 to collect impurities 101 deposited on the bottom wall 13 of the holding chamber or pumping chamber of a holding furnace will be described.

[0049] First, as shown in (1) of FIG. 10A , the user operates the two operating units 3 to rotate the case body 4 so that the opening 40 of the case body 4 faces downward, and in this state, immerses the case body 4 in the molten metal 100 while aligning it with the side wall 14. Then, as shown in (2) and (3) of FIG. 10A , when the case body 4 reaches the bottom wall 13, the user operates the two operating units 3 to rotate the case body 4 so that the opening 40 of the case body 4 faces away from the side wall 14. Then, as shown in (4) of FIG. 10A , the user operates the two operating units 3 to move the case body 4 on the bottom wall 13. As a result, impurities 101 accumulated on the bottom wall 13 are collected in the case body 4. 10B (1) and (2), when the case body 4 reaches the opposite side wall 14, the user operates the two operating units 3 to rotate the case body 4 so that the opening 40 of the case body 4 faces upward, and then, as shown in FIG. 10B (3), pulls the case body 4 out of the molten metal 100. This completes the collection of the impurities 101.

[0050] (Explanation of the action and effect of the impurity collection device) Impurities 101 deposited on bottom wall 13 enter case body 4 through opening 40 and are retained within case body 4. This prevents impurities 101 that have settled at the bottom of molten metal 100 from being blown up into molten metal 100. In contrast, molten metal 100 that has entered case body 4 together with impurities 101 passes through second portion 42 and third portion 43, which serve as liquid passage portions in case body 4, and flows out of case body 4. Because the liquid passage portions include second mesh portion 62 and third mesh portion 63, which are mesh layers capable of capturing impurities 101, impurities 101 are retained within case body 4 and are prevented from flowing out of case body 4 together with molten metal 100. This allows impurities recovery device 1 to recover impurities 101 that have settled at the bottom of molten metal 100.

[0051] (Variation) The support body 7 may not include the third plate portion 73. In other words, the third portion 43 of the case body 4 may be formed only by the third mesh portion 63, which is a mesh-like layer, or the third mesh portion 63 may be exposed.

[0052] The support body 7 may be formed only by the first plate portion 71 and the second plate portion 72. In other words, the third portion 43 to the fifth portion 45 of the case body 4 may be formed only by the third mesh portion 63 to the fifth mesh portion 65, which are mesh layers, or the third mesh portion 63 to the fifth mesh portion 65 may be exposed.

[0053] The support body 7 may be formed only by the first plate portion 71 to which the operation unit 3 is connected. In other words, the second portion 42 to the fifth portion 45 of the case body 4 may be formed only by the second mesh portion 62 to the fifth mesh portion 65, which are mesh layers, or the second mesh portion 62 to the fifth mesh portion 65 may be exposed.

[0054] The case body 4 does not have to be formed by the cage-shaped main body 6 and the support 7. For example, in the support 7, a planar mesh member capable of capturing impurities 101 may be provided on the inside of at least one of the second plate portion 72 and the third plate portion 73, which have a plurality of through-holes 70 formed therein and serve as a liquid passage portion. In this modification, for example, when a mesh member is provided on the inside of the second plate portion 72 of the support 7, the support 7 may not include the second plate portion 72 and the mesh member may be exposed. Similarly, when a mesh member is provided on the inside of the third plate portion 73 of the support 7, the support 7 may not include the third plate portion 73 and the mesh member may be exposed.

[0055] The second portion 42 of the case body 4 may not be flat but may be curved so as to protrude downward. Furthermore, the third portion 43 of the case body 4 may not be flat but may be curved so as to protrude outward.

[0056] The external shape of the case body 4 as viewed in the axial direction does not have to be rectangular, but may be a square, a circle, an ellipse, a polygon other than a rectangle, or the like.

[0057] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting in any respect. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 impurity collection device, 2 collection section, 3 operation section, 4 case body, 5 scraper, 6 cage-shaped body, 7 support, 8 bearing, 9 rotating shaft, 10 holding furnace, 11 holding chamber, 12 pumping chamber, 13 bottom wall, 14 side wall, 15 partition wall, 16 lid, 17 burner, 18 communication section, 30 handle, 31 first end of operation section, 32 second end of operation section, 40 opening of case body, 41 first part, 42 second part, 43 third part, 44 fourth part, 45 fifth part, 61 first mesh section, 62 second mesh section, 63 third mesh section, 64 fourth mesh section, 65 fifth mesh section, 70 through hole, 71 first plate section, 72 second plate section, 73 third plate section, 74 fourth plate section, 75 fifth plate section, 100 Molten metal, 101 impurities

Claims

1. An impurity recovery tool for recovering impurities that settle at the bottom of molten metal, a collection section that is submerged in the molten metal; a rod-shaped operating part connected to the collecting part to move the collecting part on the bottom wall on which the impurities are deposited; Equipped with the collection unit includes a case body having an opening for introducing the impurities therein and capable of holding the impurities; In the case body, a first portion, which is a portion in a circumferential direction surrounding the opening, is connected to the operation portion, and at least one of a second portion, which is a portion facing the first portion in the circumferential direction, and a third portion, which is a portion facing the opening, is a liquid passage portion through which the molten metal can pass, The impurity collection tool, wherein the liquid passage portion includes at least a mesh layer capable of capturing the impurities.

2. the second portion serving as the liquid passage portion further includes a plate-like layer covering the mesh layer from the outside, The impurity recovery tool according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of through holes are formed in the plate-like layer.

3. the case body is formed by a mesh-like cage-shaped main body capable of capturing the impurities, and a plate-shaped support member provided along at least the circumferential direction of the cage-shaped main body and covering the cage-shaped main body from the outside, The impurity recovery tool according to claim 1, wherein the operating portion is connected to the support, and a plurality of through holes are formed in a portion of the support opposite to the portion to which the operating portion is connected.

4. The cage-shaped body is a first mesh portion and a second mesh portion facing each other; a third mesh portion facing the opening; a fourth net portion and a fifth net portion facing each other, the fourth net portion and the fifth net portion being cylindrically connected to the first net portion and the second net portion; Including, The support is a first plate portion that covers the first mesh portion and to which the operating portion is connected; A second plate portion covering the second net portion; a third plate portion covering the third mesh portion; a fourth plate portion covering the fourth net portion; a fifth plate portion covering the fifth mesh portion; Including, The impurity recovery tool according to claim 3 , wherein a plurality of through holes are formed in at least one of the second plate portion and the third plate portion.

5. 4. The impurity collector according to claim 3, wherein the cage-shaped body is made of carbon fiber, glass fiber, or ceramic fiber, and the support is made of ceramic.

6. At least two of the operation units are arranged at intervals in the case body along an axial direction that is a direction toward and away from the opening, The impurity recovery tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operating unit is rotatably connected to the case body such that a first end on the side connected to the case body is the center and a second end on the opposite side to the first end moves along the axial direction.

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