Recent Progress with Development of a Multi Stage Filtration System Employing a Cyclone

Abstract

The development of a multi stage filter comprising a ceramic foam filter applied in a first chamber operating in cake mode; grain refiner added in a second chamber and a cyclone deployed in a final chamber to ensure removal of oxides and agglomerates arising from grain refiner addition was presented in TMS 2008. The first industrial prototype, installed at Trimet Aluminium at Essen in Germany, demonstrated that liquid metal could pass through the cyclone successfully without excessive turbulence or splash. Initial difficulties in achieving the desired flow rate through the cyclone were overcome by increasing the head height difference to 150 mm and a flow rate of >20t/hr was achieved in testing on a sow casting station and reported at TMS 2011. The most recent results of trials carried out on the Research Casting pit at Trimet were measurements of the metal cleanliness achieved were made are presented.