Importance

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Abstract

Provided is a five-in-one process/integrated furnace system that (i) receives and heat treats a casting, (ii) removes sand core materials from the casting, (iii) actively reclaims sand from the sand core materials, (iv) substantially cools the reclaimed sand, and (v) removes fines from the reclaimed sand. The furnace system includes a heating chamber disposed above and contiguous with a cooling chamber. The heating chamber and cooling chamber are preferably constructed so that heat and gasses pass therebetween. The heating chamber is preferably in the general form of a heat treating furnace. The heating chamber receives and heat treats metal castings. During the heat treating process, sand core materials are dislodged from the castings and enter into a sand reclaiming region. A hot fluidized bed functions to reclaim sand from the sand core materials within the heating chamber. The sand reclaimed in the hot fluidized bed falls into a cool fluidized bed in the cooling chamber which is preferably directly beneath the heating chamber. Gasses are drawn from above the cool fluidized bed in a manner that removes fines and heat from the reclaimed sand. The fines are separated from the heated gasses, which are used in the hot fluidized bed.

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First Claim