Jeanie L Gardner

US Patent:

49824104, Jan 1, 1991

Filed:

Apr 19, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/340536

Inventors:

Trevor N. Mustoe - Anniston AL
Jeanie B. Gardner - Oxford AL
Alan J. Hamilton - Anniston AL

International Classification:

H05H 100

US Classification:

373 22

Abstract:

A plasma electric arc furnace having a plasma torch that creates a flame which impinges upon a surface of a bath of material to be heated. The impingement creates physical agitation and convection currents around the locus of impingement. Mixing currents are created on opposite sides of a motion path of the locus when this locus is moved. A motion device coupled to the plasma torch moves the torch so that the locus follows a motion path wherein portions of the mixing currents at least partially overlap one another thereby providing greater agitation of the bath and increased efficiency of agglomeration of metallic particles suspended in the bath.