EP1329271A1 - Vorrichtung zum Erleichtern des Öffnens eines Gefässes für schmelzflüssige Metalle - Google Patents

Vorrichtung zum Erleichtern des Öffnens eines Gefässes für schmelzflüssige Metalle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1329271A1
EP1329271A1 EP02250302A EP02250302A EP1329271A1 EP 1329271 A1 EP1329271 A1 EP 1329271A1 EP 02250302 A EP02250302 A EP 02250302A EP 02250302 A EP02250302 A EP 02250302A EP 1329271 A1 EP1329271 A1 EP 1329271A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
well block
central opening
molten metal
channel
insert
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02250302A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael F. Harasym
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
Priority to CA002367586A priority Critical patent/CA2367586A1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP02250302A priority patent/EP1329271A1/de
Publication of EP1329271A1 publication Critical patent/EP1329271A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D41/00—Casting melt-holding vessels, e.g. ladles, tundishes, cups or the like
    • B22D41/14—Closures
    • B22D41/22—Closures sliding-gate type, i.e. having a fixed plate and a movable plate in sliding contact with each other for selective registry of their openings
    • B22D41/42—Features relating to gas injection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D1/00—Treatment of fused masses in the ladle or the supply runners before casting
    • B22D1/002—Treatment with gases
    • B22D1/005—Injection assemblies therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D41/00—Casting melt-holding vessels, e.g. ladles, tundishes, cups or the like
    • B22D41/50—Pouring-nozzles
    • B22D41/58—Pouring-nozzles with gas injecting means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to molten metal casting operations, and in particular to a system to facilitate self opening of a vessel discharge port in molten metal casting vessels.
  • Molten metal is often dispensed from a bottom discharge pouring and holding reservoir, referred to as a tundish, into casting molds.
  • the tundish is usually kept supplied with molten metal from a ladle.
  • the ladle usually has one or more discharge ports, or nozzles, each having a pouring channel through which molten metal flows to the tundish and then to the casting molds.
  • the flow of molten metal through the pouring channel is often controlled by a slide gate valve.
  • the slide gate valve is moved to the open position, and the granular material flows out of the pouring channel, followed by the molten metal.
  • a free open or self open When this occurs without intervention, it is referred to as a free open or self open.
  • ladles sometimes fail to self open because of chilling and/or crusting of a combination of the sand, metal, and possibly slag that may have remained in and around the well area prior to tapping the furnace into the ladle.
  • a very good free open rate might be 98-99% of the time, a fair free open rate would be about 95-97% of the time, and a poor rate would be 95% or less. It is extremely rare for the success rate to be 100% for periods longer than several months.
  • the ladle When a ladle does not self open, there are two important considerations.
  • the ladle must be opened in a timely manner, usually within ten minutes or less, to continue the casting operation.
  • the ladle should be opened with the ladle shroud in place to avoid exposing the molten metal to the atmosphere and/or pouring through the slag layer for a prolonged period.
  • the most common approach to opening the ladle is to first remove the ladle shroud, and then insert an oxygen pipe into the metal pouring channel and lance through the obstruction. Initially, when the molten metal flow begins, it cannot be stopped for longer than a few seconds or it will freeze in the molten metal channel. It is common to pour for five to ten minutes before the ladle is completely shut off and the ladle shroud reattached. The event is commonly called "open pouring" because the metal is exposed to the atmosphere and the system is not closed. In addition, because the ladle shroud is not being used, the molten metal is being poured through the slag layer in the tundish, which introduces additional impurities into the finished product.
  • Another solution is to insert a telescoping lance into the ladle shroud and blow oxygen through the lance.
  • oxygen When oxygen is injected, the telescoping lance will telescope into the metal pouring channel and automatically burn through whatever material is preventing the ladle from free opening.
  • Telescoping lances are costly, and they can take more time than desired. The reliability of telescoping lances is only 90 to 95%.
  • telescoping lances introduce some oxygen into the metal, which is undesirable.
  • the present invention remedies the above problems through an improved system for injecting gas into the ladle near the nozzle inlet to aid in opening the vessel and facilitating the free flow of molten metal.
  • the present invention is an apparatus to facilitate the opening of molten metal casting vessels, and comprises a well block within a discharge port of a casting vessel, the well block having a central opening therethrough along a longitudinal axis thereof; at least one nozzle insert within the central opening, the nozzle insert having a central opening therethrough substantially coaxial with the central opening of the well block through which molten metal may flow, an outer surface complementary to and matingly engaging the central opening of the well block, and at least one channel extending along the outer surface; a plenum within the well block and substantially surrounding the central opening of the well block and being in fluid flow communication with said channel; and a fluid supply line in communication with the plenum for supplying a fluid under pressure to the plenum and said channel. Fluid supplied to the plenum flows through the channel and upward into the interior of the vessel.
  • the invention is a discharge port for a molten metal pouring and holding vessel, and comprises an opening in a wall of the vessel and a well block located within the opening.
  • the well block has a central opening therethrough lined with a refractory insert, the insert having a metal flow channel therethrough.
  • the insert can be made of a material different from the material of the well block for improving the resistance of the insert to wear due to passage of molten metal therethrough, the insert being removable and replaceable after being subjected to a preselected amount of wear.
  • FIG. 1 an apparatus 10 for facilitating the opening of a molten metal casting ladle, in accordance with the present invention. While the present invention described herein is described in connection with a molten metal casting ladle, the invention is applicable generally to other types of bottom pour vessels for use in molten metal casting and smelting operations.
  • the nozzle arrangement 10 is shown in the context of a molten metal holding and pouring box in the form of pouring ladle 12 equipped with a vessel discharge port controlled by a conventional slide gate valve 14 mounted to the exterior of the bottom wall16 of ladle 12.
  • Slide gate valve 14 controls the flow of molten metal through a pouring channel 18 therein and into a casting mold (not shown), as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
  • Slide gate valve 14 is shown in the closed position in Figure 1.
  • Slide gate valve 14 also has an open position (not shown in the figures) in which the opening 20 in the slide gate is aligned with the pouring channel 18.
  • the bottom of ladle 12 is lined with a refractory material 22 and includes a ladle level plate 24, preferably made of high temperature steel.
  • Ladle level plate 24 supports a well block 26, which has a central opening through it. The central opening is tapered and increases in diameter from top to bottom. Located within the central opening are, from bottom to top, a bottom nozzle insert 28, a center nozzle insert 30, and a top nozzle insert 32.
  • Each of the bottom nozzle insert 28, center nozzle insert 30, and top nozzle insert 32 has a central opening of constant diameter which together define pouring channel 18.
  • the outer surfaces of each of the bottom nozzle insert 28, center nozzle insert 30, and top nozzle insert 32 is tapered to match the taper of the central opening through the well block 26. If desired, mating surfaces of the bottom nozzle insert 28, center nozzle insert 30, and top nozzle insert 32 may be provided with complementary tongues 34 and grooves 36 to facilitate their alignment and fit.
  • Well block 26 is provided with an annular groove 38 around its inner surface, located adjacent the bottom of top nozzle insert 32.
  • Groove 38 is in fluid flow communication with a gas distribution line 40 which has a fitting 42 at one end.
  • Gas distribution line 40 communicates, in turn, to a gas feed line 44 which is connected to a source (not shown) of gas under pressure.
  • fitting 42 includes a porous ceramic safety disk between gas distribution line 40 and gas feed line 44, to reduce the risk of runout of molten metal through gas distribution line 40 in the event of damage to top nozzle insert 32 or well block 26.
  • groove 38 has a porous ceramic ring 46 fitted therein.
  • Porous ceramic ring 46 has an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of top nozzle insert 32 at the location where top nozzle insert 32 is adjacent groove 38.
  • the inner diameter of porous ceramic ring 46 may have a taper which is complementary to and matches the taper of top nozzle insert 32.
  • Porous ceramic ring 46 has an outer diameter which is slightly less than the depth of groove 38, so that it does not completely fill groove 38 but leaves a narrow annular plenum 48 between the vertical wall of groove 38 and porous ceramic ring 46.
  • the gas flows through annular plenum 48, and quickly fills plenum 48. Once plenum 48 is filled with gas, the pressure of the gas forces the gas to flow through the ceramic ring 46 (if present) to the outer surface of top nozzle insert 32.
  • top nozzle insert 32 has a grooved, or serrated, outer surface which defines a plurality of channels 50 which extend axially from top to bottom.
  • Channels 50 permit gas forced through the ceramic ring 46 to flow axially along the outer surface of top nozzle insert 32 and upward into the interior of the ladle 12.
  • the flow of gas serves to dislodge any solid debris or slag that can collect around the inlet to pouring channel 18, such as, for example, residual sand left over from packing the slide gate valve prior to opening the nozzle.
  • the gas is preferably an inert gas such as argon.
  • any other gas can be used as appropriate for the desired effect.
  • it is the mechanical, rather than chemical or metallurgical, interaction of the gas with the molten metal that agitates any accumulated material located near the inlet to pouring channel 18.
  • the interaction of the gas with the material tends to break up slag, sand, solidified metal, or the like, which may accumulate and prevent pouring channel 18 from opening.
  • a preferred fabrication method is to hold the nozzle inserts, including top nozzle insert 32, in place in well block 26 using a refractory mortar 52.
  • a layer of mortar 52 is applied to the outer surface of each nozzle insert, including top nozzle insert 32, which joins each insert to the inner surface of the central opening in well block 26.
  • Mortar alone is usually sufficiently porous to permit gas to flow through it, so that gas from plenum 48 can flow through ceramic ring 46 and along channels 50 through mortar 52.
  • a layer of burnout material 54 may first be placed over the outer surface of top nozzle insert 26, before the mortar 52 is applied.
  • burnout material 54 is a non-refractory material which will burn at a temperature much lower than the operating temperature of the ladle 12.
  • burnout material 54 will burn and be consumed, leaving behind a space 56 between the top nozzle insert 32 and the layer of mortar 52. The space permits higher gas flow rates than can be realized with porous mortar alone.
  • the invention has been illustrated and described with reference to a well block having a continuously tapered central opening, the invention is equally applicable to other styles of well block, as well.
  • the invention can be used with a so-called canopy style well block 58, illustrated in Figure 4, and with a so-called stovepipe style well block 60, illustrated in Figure 5.
  • the well block is modified to include groove 38, gas distribution line 40, and fitting 42.
  • a top nozzle insert with a serrated outer surface similar to top nozzle insert 32 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 can be inserted into the central opening in the well block adjacent groove 38, to permit gas to be introduced as already described in connection with the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.
  • a porous ceramic ring may be placed within groove 38, in the same manner as illustrated in Figure 1.
  • top nozzle insert 32 may be used even without a source of gas as a sacrificial insert to protect the associated well block.
  • a source of gas as a sacrificial insert to protect the associated well block.
  • the inserts and the well block will wear away and will have to be replaced.
  • well block performance measured by the number of heats that can be poured before the well block must be replaced, can be increased significantly (10% to 20%) by using a canopy style well block such as illustrated in Figure 4, compared to a stove pipe style well block such as illustrated in Figure 5.
  • top nozzle insert 64 referred to in this instance as a canopy nozzle insert, does not have a serrated outer surface but has a smooth one.
  • the outer diameter of canopy nozzle insert 64 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the central opening in well block 60.
  • Canopy nozzle insert 64 is joined to well block 60 by mortar, in conventional fashion.
  • Canopy nozzle insert 64 is fabricated from a refractory material, and can be the same material as, or a material different from, the material of well block 60.
  • canopy nozzle insert 64 can be fabricated from a better-wearing material, thus extending its service life. After pouring enough heats to deplete the service life of the well block by 30% to 50%, canopy nozzle insert 64 can be replaced to restore the well block to 80% to 90% of its original service life. Removal and replacement of canopy nozzle insert 64 can be done many times, greatly extending the service life of the well block 60. As a result, the service life of the well block can be eliminated as a limiting factor in the service life of the ladle refractory system.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Casting Support Devices, Ladles, And Melt Control Thereby (AREA)
EP02250302A 2002-01-14 2002-01-16 Vorrichtung zum Erleichtern des Öffnens eines Gefässes für schmelzflüssige Metalle Withdrawn EP1329271A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002367586A CA2367586A1 (en) 2002-01-14 2002-01-14 Apparatus to facilitate opening of molten metal casting vessel
EP02250302A EP1329271A1 (de) 2002-01-14 2002-01-16 Vorrichtung zum Erleichtern des Öffnens eines Gefässes für schmelzflüssige Metalle

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002367586A CA2367586A1 (en) 2002-01-14 2002-01-14 Apparatus to facilitate opening of molten metal casting vessel
EP02250302A EP1329271A1 (de) 2002-01-14 2002-01-16 Vorrichtung zum Erleichtern des Öffnens eines Gefässes für schmelzflüssige Metalle

Publications (1)

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EP1329271A1 true EP1329271A1 (de) 2003-07-23

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EP (1) EP1329271A1 (de)
CA (1) CA2367586A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009033633A1 (de) * 2007-09-15 2009-03-19 Refractory Intellectual Property Gmbh & Co. Kg Feuerfester keramischer adapter

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114247862A (zh) * 2021-11-26 2022-03-29 山东莱钢永锋钢铁有限公司 一种提高钢包自开率的方法
CN115475911A (zh) * 2022-09-05 2022-12-16 青岛理工大学 一种机体盖铸造方法

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1832873A (en) * 1929-12-23 1931-11-24 Clyde H Milner Nozzle for molten-metal containers
US3253307A (en) * 1964-03-19 1966-05-31 United States Steel Corp Method and apparatus for regulating molten metal teeming rates
US3464598A (en) * 1968-04-26 1969-09-02 Globe Refractories Inc Ladle valve
GB1601944A (en) * 1978-03-14 1981-11-04 Glocast Products Ltd Well blocks for ladles
US4421257A (en) * 1981-02-12 1983-12-20 Uss Engineers And Consultants, Inc. Metal pouring nozzle with gas inlet
EP0187924A1 (de) * 1984-11-26 1986-07-23 Cometus AG Verfahren zum Spülen von Metallschmelze und Pfanne zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
US4708327A (en) * 1985-04-11 1987-11-24 Stopinc Aktiengesellschaft Discharge nozzle assembly and methods of formation and operation thereof
DE4112836A1 (de) * 1991-04-19 1992-10-22 Metallgesellschaft Ag Mehrstoffduese zum einblasen von gasfoermigen medien in metallhaltige schmelzen
US5335896A (en) * 1993-03-03 1994-08-09 Bethlehem Steel Corporation Nozzle insert for a steelmaking ladle
JPH11207457A (ja) * 1998-01-23 1999-08-03 Toshiba Ceramics Co Ltd スライディングゲート用上ノズル

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1832873A (en) * 1929-12-23 1931-11-24 Clyde H Milner Nozzle for molten-metal containers
US3253307A (en) * 1964-03-19 1966-05-31 United States Steel Corp Method and apparatus for regulating molten metal teeming rates
US3464598A (en) * 1968-04-26 1969-09-02 Globe Refractories Inc Ladle valve
GB1601944A (en) * 1978-03-14 1981-11-04 Glocast Products Ltd Well blocks for ladles
US4421257A (en) * 1981-02-12 1983-12-20 Uss Engineers And Consultants, Inc. Metal pouring nozzle with gas inlet
EP0187924A1 (de) * 1984-11-26 1986-07-23 Cometus AG Verfahren zum Spülen von Metallschmelze und Pfanne zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
US4708327A (en) * 1985-04-11 1987-11-24 Stopinc Aktiengesellschaft Discharge nozzle assembly and methods of formation and operation thereof
DE4112836A1 (de) * 1991-04-19 1992-10-22 Metallgesellschaft Ag Mehrstoffduese zum einblasen von gasfoermigen medien in metallhaltige schmelzen
US5335896A (en) * 1993-03-03 1994-08-09 Bethlehem Steel Corporation Nozzle insert for a steelmaking ladle
JPH11207457A (ja) * 1998-01-23 1999-08-03 Toshiba Ceramics Co Ltd スライディングゲート用上ノズル

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1999, no. 13 30 November 1999 (1999-11-30) *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009033633A1 (de) * 2007-09-15 2009-03-19 Refractory Intellectual Property Gmbh & Co. Kg Feuerfester keramischer adapter

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