Abstract
This paper presents a review of tapping and melt handling technology of aluminium for those more familiar with steel and iron. The practice for light metals is substantially different to that used for iron and steel. For primary production using the Hall-Heroult technology, a variety of methods are used at the various stages of cell tapping, crucible transfer to the cast house, ladle treatment, liquid transfer to furnaces, furnace tapping and flow control during casting. Level sensor technology is examined including mechanical systems, lasers and capacitors. Refractory types and melt interactions are also covered. Trough design is covered. Future developments such as automated furnace skimming are mentioned.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Depending on temperature and composition.
References
Grandfield JF, Eskin DG, Bainbridge IF (2013) Direct-chill casting of light alloys. Wiley, Hoboken
Dion-Martin O et al (2021) Light metals 2021, TMS, p 769
Goutiere V et al (2007) Mapping bath carryover from cell tapping to casting in smelter operations. In: Grandfield & Taylor (eds) Aluminium cast house technology 2007. CSIRO publishing, p 231
Death D et al (2007) Prototype video system to monitor metal tapping from an aluminium production cell. In: Grandfield J, Taylor J (eds) Aluminium cast house technology 2007. CSIRO publishing, p 239
Walker M (1997) Visualisation of tapping flows. In: Huglen R (ed) Light metals 1997, TMS, p 215
Chen JJJ, Xu YS, Chen XD (1999) Numerical simulation of aluminum metal tapping. In: Second international conference on CFD in the minerals and process industries. CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia
Goutiere V, Dupuis CI (2008) Understanding the mechanisms of bath carry-over with molten aluminum in smelters. In: Light metals 2008. The Minerals & Materials Society, pp 563–567
Kabezya K et al (2019) A review of primary aluminium tapping models. SN Appl Sci 1:850
Roberts J et al (2007) Autonomous hot metal carrier. In: Grandfield J, Taylor J (eds) Aluminium cast house technology 2007, CSIRO Publishing, p 247
Maltais B et al (2009) Operational experience with a large capacity integrated tac (treatment of aluminium in a crucible) and a skimmer, Light metals 2009, TMS, pp 755–760
Gariepy B, Dube G (1989) Aluminium ladle metallurgy (ALM): A new process for efficient alloy preparation. In: Nilmani M (ed) Aluminium melt refining and alloying, University of Melbourne
Locatelli J (1996) Dross reduction through improved metal transfer from crucible to furnace, Fifth Australasian cast house technology conference, TMS, p 205
Locatelli J, Liu G (2010) Light metals 2010. In: Johnson J (ed) TMS, p 639
Locatelli J, Liu G (2010) Automated metal siphoning and cast house energy consumption. Mater Sci Forum 630:61–69
Guthrie RIL, Grandfield JF (1991) Aluminium cast house technology. University of Melbourne
Tremblay A et al (2020) Light metals 2020. In Tomsett A (ed) TMS, p 868
US10012443B2
Canullo V et al (2010) Mater Sci Forum V630:119–125
Dion-Martin O et al (2020) Light metals 2020, TMS, p 873
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society
About this paper
Cite this paper
Grandfield, J.F., Wagstaff, R.B., Wagstaff, S.R. (2022). Aluminium Tapping and Molten Metal Handling in Primary Smelters. In: Steenkamp, J.D., Gregurek, D., Reynolds, Q.G., Alvear Flores, G., Joubert, H., Mackey, P.J. (eds) Furnace Tapping 2022. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92544-4_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92544-4_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-92543-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-92544-4
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)