Method for recovering metal-carbide scrap by alloying

US4818282A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Leybold-Heraeus GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Erwin Wanetzky · Großkrotzenburg, DE
• Franz Hugo · Aschaffenburg, DE
• Fernand Kuhlmann · Cologne, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 10, 1987
• Grant date: Apr 4, 1989
• Expiry date: Sep 10, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C22C3/00
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention concerns a method, equipment and a regulating means for use in recovering metal-carbide scrap by alloying. This is carried out by treating the scrap with a low melting point metal which brings the metal-carbride matrix into solution at temperatures above the melting point of the alloy formed. The treatment is carried out in a container in the presence of inert gas, the pressure of which is gradually reduced following completion of the alloying process, the resultant metal vapor being condensed. To solve the problem of producing, in the resultant residue, a proportion of low melting point metal of less than 100 ppm and of preventing condensation of the metal vapors on the container, it is proposed in the invention that the metal-carbide scrap and the low melting point metal should be alloyed with each other in an inner chamber arranged within the container. The metal vapor and the inert gas are passed out of this inner chamber on to the condensation surfaces, and the inert gas, containing no metal vapors, is cycled by way of the inner chamber. The metal vapor then serves as a means for inducing flow of the inert gas.