Method and apparatus for improving aluminum degassing efficiency

Abstract

A method for treating molten aluminum as it passes between a melting furnace and a casting apparatus. The method includes monitoring hydrogen concentration in the molten aluminum; correlating an inert gas concentration usage with the hydrogen concentration; and automatically adjusting the inert gas output from a degasser and the rotor rpm of the degasser to yield a consistent and desired hydrogen concentration for the molten aluminum entering the casting apparatus.

1 . A method for treating molten aluminum as it passes between a melting furnace and a casting apparatus, the method comprising:
 determining hydrogen concentration in the molten aluminum; and   correlating the inert gas concentration usage with the hydrogen concentration; and   automatically adjusting the inert gas output from a degasser and a rotor rpm of the degasser to supply a substantially constant hydrogen level in the molten aluminum as it enters the casting apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen concentration is measured continuously. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen concentration is measured periodically during a particular cast. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inert gas is argon. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inert gas is nitrogen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the degasser comprises an inert gas dispersing rotor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein chlorine gas is introduced to the molten aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the PLC sets a inert gas level and rotor rpm of the degasser based on a molten metal recipe and machine learning from previous casts. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for receiving a gas concentration feed and adjusting a melting furnace comprising: a degassing station that includes a first sensor for measuring hydrogen concentration in molten metal, an optional second sensor for measuring inert gas concentration in molten metal, a control unit for receiving the gas concentration measurement, and a rotor for dispersing, wherein the control unit balances the inert gas concentration correlated with the hydrogen concentration, and wherein the control unit automatically adjusts a hydrogen output. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the degasser maintains a constant outlet hydrogen content level.