Launder transfer insert and system

1. An insert for transferring molten metal out of a vessel, the insert for being used in combination with a molten metal pump having an outlet through which a stream of molten metal is generated, the insert defining an enclosed cavity and comprising:

(i) one or more outer walls and a bottom;

(ii) a first opening in the lower half of one of the one or more outer walls, the first opening leading to the enclosed cavity, the first opening being positioned so that it is in fluid communication with a discharge, such that at least part of the stream of molten metal exiting the discharge passes through the first opening and into the enclosed cavity;

(iii) a second opening in a top of the insert; and

(iv) a trough positioned at the top of the insert, the trough having a back wall that is positioned behind the second opening and that extends above the second opening and a first side wall positioned on one side of the second opening, and a second side wall positioned on the opposite side of the second opening, wherein the first wall and second side wall each extend above the second opening, the trough further including a bottom surface angled towards the second opening;

whereby, as the molten metal pump pumps molten metal, at least some of the molten metal passes through the first opening and into the cavity so that the level of molten metal in the cavity rises so that molten metal exits the second opening and passes through the trough and out of the vessel.

2. The insert of claim 1 that further includes an extension attached to the trough.

3. The insert of claim 1 wherein the trough is integrally formed on top of the insert device.

4. The insert of claim 1 wherein the insert has a front wall and the trough extends beyond the front wall.

5. The insert of claim 1 wherein the insert has a front wall and the trough does not extend beyond the front wall.

6. The insert of claim 1 that comprises refractory cement.

7. The insert of claim 1 that has a bottom and the first opening is no more than 12″ above the bottom.

8. The insert of claim 1 that has a bottom and the opening is no more than 6″ above the bottom.

9. The insert of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface of the trough is angled at 2°-5°.

10. The insert of claim 1 that includes at least two support sections extending from the bottom for resting on a floor of the vessel.

11. The insert of claim 1 wherein the trough has an end and there is an extension attached to the end of the trough.

12. A system comprising a molten metal pump, and an insert for transferring molten metal out of a vessel, the insert for being used in combination with a molten metal pump having an outlet through which a stream of molten metal is generated, the insert defining an enclosed cavity and comprising:

(i) one or more outer walls and a bottom;

(ii) a first opening in the lower half of one of the one or more outer walls, the first opening leading to the enclosed cavity, the first opening being positioned so that it is in fluid communication with a discharge, such that at least part of the stream of molten metal exiting the discharge passes through the first opening and into the enclosed cavity;

(iii) a second opening in a top of the insert; and

(iv) a trough positioned at the top of the insert, the trough having a back wall that is positioned behind the second opening and that extends above the second opening and a first side wall positioned on one side of the second opening, and a second side wall positioned on the opposite side of the second opening, wherein the first wall and second side wall each extend above the second opening, the trough further including a bottom surface;

whereby, as the molten metal pump pumps molten metal, at least some of the molten metal passes through the first opening and into the cavity so that the level of molten metal in the cavity rises so that molten metal exits the second opening and passes through the trough and out of the vessel.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the molten metal pump is a circulation pump.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the outlet of the molten metal pump is positioned ⅛″ or less from the first opening of the insert.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the molten metal pump and the insert are attached.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the molten metal pump has a base, and the base has an extension wherein the outlet is at the end of the extension, and the extension is received in the first opening of the insert.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the insert further includes an extension attached to the trough.

18. The system of claim 12 wherein the trough is integrally formed on top of the insert.

19. The system of claim 12 wherein the insert has a front wall and the trough extends beyond the front wall.

20. The system of claim 12 wherein the insert has a front wall and the trough does not extend beyond the front wall.

21. The system of claim 12 wherein the insert comprises refractory cement.

22. The system of claim 12 wherein the insert has a bottom and the first opening is no more than 12″ above the bottom.

23. The system of claim 12 wherein the insert has a bottom and the opening is no more than 6″ above the bottom.

24. The system of claim 12 wherein the trough further includes a bottom surface angled towards the second opening.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the bottom surface of the trough is angled at 2°-5°.

26. The system of claim 12 wherein the insert includes at least two support sections extending from the bottom for resting on a floor of the vessel.

27. The system of claim 12 wherein the trough has an end and there is an extension attached to the end of the trough.