Partitioned Degassing Launder With Dome Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing in-line degassing devices for molten aluminum face inefficiencies in removing impurities due to excessive stirring speed and gas flow rates, leading to surface reactions, reduced rotor lifespan, and increased costs, while conventional methods fail to optimize degassing efficiency without causing surface turbulence.

Innovation Solution

A degassing launder with partition plates forming degassing chambers, a dome-shaped projection on the floor, and a hexagonal rotor design that enhances turbulent flow and contact time with inert gas bubbles, improving hydrogen removal efficiency without significant surface turbulence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the stirring speed of the rotor and gas flow rate are increased to improve degassing efficiency, then hydrogen removal efficiency is improved, but surface waves are generated causing aluminum dross formation and rotor lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegassing efficiencyVSAvoidrotor lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dome-shaped structure at the bottom of the degassing chamber that redirects gas flow downward and creates a curved flow path. This curvature prevents direct surface agitation while maintaining effective hydrogen removal through enhanced gas-liquid contact time in the curved flow pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a vertical dimension to the gas flow by redirecting it downward through the dome structure. This transforms the horizontal surface agitation into vertical subsurface flow, eliminating surface waves while maintaining degassing effectiveness through three-dimensional flow patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the stirring speed and gas flow rate are increased to improve degassing efficiency, then hydrogen removal is enhanced, but surface waves react with oxygen forming aluminum dross

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegassing efficiencyVSAvoidaluminum dross formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dome-shaped structure creates curved flow paths that redirect gas downward, preventing surface wave formation. This curvature transforms the flow pattern to eliminate the harmful surface agitation that causes aluminum dross while maintaining effective hydrogen removal through enhanced subsurface mixing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful high-velocity gas flow that causes surface waves into a beneficial downward-flowing subsurface current. The same gas flow that could create dross is redirected to enhance mixing and hydrogen removal without surface exposure, turning a harmful effect into a beneficial one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If excessive stirring speed is used to improve degassing efficiency, then hydrogen removal is enhanced, but gas cost and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedegassing efficiencyVSAvoidgas cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The dome structure creates efficient curved flow paths that maximize gas-liquid contact time without requiring excessive gas flow rates. The curved geometry enhances mixing efficiency, allowing effective degassing at lower gas consumption levels compared to straight-channel designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates continuous circulating flow patterns through the dome structure that maintain effective degassing throughout the chamber. This continuous useful action ensures thorough hydrogen removal without the need for intermittent high-velocity pulses that would increase gas consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design significantly enhances degassing efficiency by increasing contact time and uniform distribution of inert gas, resulting in improved hydrogen removal and reduced surface turbulence, thus extending rotor lifespan and lowering operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

Hydrogen also diffuses into the inert gas bubbles and is removed as the particulate coalesces around the gas bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

the particulate coalesces around the gas bubbles and rises to the top of the molten metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 4

Chlorine gas is known to be effective in converting the alkali metals to salts such as sodium chloride (NaCl), lithium chloride (LiCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20260015689A1Degassing launder

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 PYROTEK INC

AI summary

A degassing launder having a plurality of partition plates configured to block a flow of molten aluminum and including a plurality of domes. Two adjacent partition plates and two side walls of the launder form a degassing chamber. A lower portion of the partition plates is provided with a passage through which the molten aluminum flows into a next degassing chamber. The domes are arranged on the bottom of the launder.