Granulation of molten material

939,071. Granulating molten material. C.U.R.A. PATENTS Ltd. Oct. 26, 1959 [Oct. 31, 1958], No. 35107/58. Class 82. Apparatus for granulating molten material consists of a trough carrying a stream of coolant, into which the material is discharged from above. The trough is longitudinally retractable in one direction and is provided with means for dislodging adherent solidified material said means being spaced from the material discharge point in the direction of retraction of the trough, retraction of the trough causing relative longitudinal movement between it and the dislodging means. The apparatus may be equipped with two similar but independent troughs so that when one is in its operative position the other is retracted and may be completely withdrawn, e.g. for repair. For removing solidified material adhering to the molten material outlet there may be provided a torch for softening the material and a member horizontally movable close below the outlet, there also being provided water cooled means for scraping the said member. Conditions in the trough may be observed through a window either visually or remotely by means of a television camera. The latter, or a photo-electric device, may be arranged to operate the removing means at the material outlet and retract the trough automatically when necessary. In one form of apparatus, Fig. 1, the trough 1 is connected to inlet pipe 2 and outlet pipe 3, and is retractable by means of a rod 11. Molten material is discharged into the coolant from outlet 5, and any which adheres to the trough on solidification is dislodged by fixed vertical vanes 17 and side members 18 (Fig. 2) when the trough is retracted. Solid material adhering to the lip 6 of outlet 5 is softened by torch 28 and removed by horizontally movable bar 21 which is equipped with water-cooled scrapers 25 and 26. Additional coolant is added at 16 to increase turbulence and break up the granulated material.