Ladle nozzle for use with molten metals

Abstract

A nozzle, or porous plug, for use with molten metals is provided. The nozzle includes a connection port for connecting to a main gas line and a plurality of capillaries connected to the connection port. The capillaries are encased by refractory to protect them from the intense heat of the process. Typically, the nozzle is located at or near the bottom of a ladle and a gas is injected through the nozzle into the ladle. The gas flowing though the ladle agitates the molten metal and causes the impurities in the molten metal to form a slag. The nozzle allows the gas flow through the nozzle to be shut off during the process to allow additional slag to settle without the molten metal flowing into and plugging the capillaries.

1 . A nozzle for mixing molten liquid comprising: 
 a connection port for connecting the nozzle to a gas line,    a plurality of capillaries connected to the connection port configured to conduct gas flow from the gas line through the nozzle, and    a refractory material surrounding the capillaries to protect the capillaries from the heat generated by the molten liquid,    wherein the plurality of capillaries have a inside diameter less then 0.125″.    
   
   
       2 . The nozzle for mixing molten liquid of  claim 1  comprising 11 capillaries.  
   
   
       3 . The nozzle for mixing molten liquid of  claim 1  comprising 13 capillaries.  
   
   
       4 . The nozzle for mixing molten liquid of  claim 1  comprising 15 capillaries.  
   
   
       5 . The nozzle for mixing molten liquid of  claim 1  comprising 18 capillaries.  
   
   
       6 . The nozzle for mixing molten liquid of  claim 1  wherein the inside diameter of the capillaries is 0.082″.  
   
   
       7 . The nozzle for mixing molten liquid of  claim 1  wherein the connection port and capillaries are comprised of stainless steel.  
   
   
       8 . The nozzle for mixing molten liquid of  claim 7  wherein the connection port and capillaries are welded together using a spray welding technique.  
   
   
       9 . A method of manufacturing molten metals comprising: 
 turning on an air flow through a nozzle into a ladle containing molten metal, creating a sinking slag,    turning off the air flow through the nozzle into the ladle containing molten metal,    waiting for a period of time, and    tilting the ladle and pouring the molten metal from the ladle.    
   
   
       10 . The method of manufacturing molten metals of  claim 9  further comprising: 
 turning on the air flow through the nozzle to clear the end of the nozzle when the ladle is tilted beyond a critical angle, and    turning off the air flow through the nozzle after the end of the nozzle is cleared.