Skim Tool Nitrogen Conduit Submerged Impurity Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skim boom technologies are ineffective in accessing and removing impurities that have submerged in molten metal, as they cannot reach or maintain impurities on the surface for extended periods during the refining process, leading to contamination and reduced purity of the melt.
Innovation Solution
A skim tool with a collection member and conduit system that uses nitrogen gas to blow powder flux into the molten metal, causing submerged impurities to rise and remain on the surface for collection, featuring a blade with apertures and fingers for capturing and directing impurities into the collection member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a skim boom is used to skim impurities from molten metal, then surface impurities can be removed, but submerged impurities cannot be accessed or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a conduit system to deliver nitrogen gas directly to the collection member, creating a pneumatic mechanism that allows the blade to penetrate deeper into the molten metal and access submerged impurities that traditional skim booms cannot reach
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and delivery mechanism of nitrogen gas under pressure to create bubbles that rise through the molten metal, carrying flux and creating upward movement that helps bring submerged impurities to the surface for collection
2Duration of action of moving object
If flux powder is applied to keep impurities on the surface, then skimming time is extended, but impurities eventually submerge and become inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The nitrogen gas flows continuously through the conduit and collection member, maintaining constant upward pressure and bubble formation that continuously supports flux-coated impurities at the surface, preventing them from submerging and maintaining skimming efficiency throughout the process
3Adaptability or versatility
If nitrogen gas is blown through the conduit into molten metal, then submerged impurities rise to surface, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nitrogen delivery system serves multiple functions: it provides pneumatic pressure to extend the blade's effective depth, creates rising bubbles that mechanically agitate and lift submerged impurities, and delivers flux powder to the collection area, making the added complexity serve multiple beneficial purposes
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
Effectively brings submerged impurities to the surface for removal, maintaining their presence on the surface longer, thereby reducing contamination and improving the purity of the molten metal by utilizing nitrogen gas to enhance the skim boom's collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The nitrogen gas causes the impurities trapped by the flux to remain on the surface longer. The Inventor has further found that the inclusion of the nitrogen gas also causes impurities that are immersed in the molten metal to rise to the surface for collection.
Data Source
AI summary
A skim tool and method for removing impurities from molten alloys in furnaces generally includes a collection portion and an arm. The collection portion has an interior and a blade member having a plurality of apertures configured to capture impurities during application and direct the impurities into the interior. The skim tool further includes a conduit having a first end with an inlet and a second end having a plurality of fingers that extend in various directions along the front side of the blade member. Each of the fingers define an outlet end that are in fluid communication with the inlet. The inlet for receiving a source of nitrogen to be blown through the conduit into the molten metal in the form of a gas.