METHOD FOR REFINING METALS

A procedure for the continuous refining of metals makes use of a furnace which is characterized by certain novel features, viz, it possesses an elongated refining zone in which the slag is caused to flow substantially countercurrent to metal, a substantially circular refining zone in which slag is caused to circulate substantially concurrently with metal, and a slag conditioning and settling zone, into which the slag flows from the two refining zones. The three furnace zones are substantially separate compartments in communication with each other in substantially one horizontal plane. The slag separation zone is preferably connected with the circular refining zone at some distance from the junction between the latter and the elongated refining zone.