Advances in Molten Metal Pump Technology Expand the Capability of Aluminum Reverberatory Furnace Production Rates

摘要

Forced circulation in aluminum reverberatory furnaces by molten metal pumps can provide numerous benefits such as higher production rates, reduced melt loss, increased fuel efficiency and improved metal quality. Up to now, it was assumed to be sufficient if the entire furnace volume was circulated approximately 4-6 times per hour. However, with recent innovations in molten metal pump technology, Metaullics Systems has been able to deliver furnace circulation turns in excess of ten times per hour. Advanced design concepts in the new high capacity J-50 circulation pump now permit metal producers to achieve significantly higher melt rates than previously observed in existing reverberatory furnaces. Design features which support such reliable high-output operation will be reviewed. Laboratory and computer simulations predicting increased melt rates have been validated by melt rate measurements in aluminum production facilities, which will be described.