CA2034235A1 - Metal pouring method and apparatus - Google Patents

Metal pouring method and apparatus

Info

Publication number
CA2034235A1
CA2034235A1 CA 2034235 CA2034235A CA2034235A1 CA 2034235 A1 CA2034235 A1 CA 2034235A1 CA 2034235 CA2034235 CA 2034235 CA 2034235 A CA2034235 A CA 2034235A CA 2034235 A1 CA2034235 A1 CA 2034235A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
orifice
gate valve
motion
incremental
sliding gate
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2034235
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
William A. Griffiths
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Flogates Ltd
Original Assignee
Flogates Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB909000909A external-priority patent/GB9000909D0/en
Priority claimed from GB909000898A external-priority patent/GB9000898D0/en
Application filed by Flogates Ltd filed Critical Flogates Ltd
Publication of CA2034235A1 publication Critical patent/CA2034235A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22DCASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D41/00Casting melt-holding vessels, e.g. ladles, tundishes, cups or the like
    • B22D41/14Closures
    • B22D41/22Closures 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
    • B22D41/38Means for operating the sliding gate

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Casting Support Devices, Ladles, And Melt Control Thereby (AREA)
  • Continuous Casting (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

METAL POURING METHOD AND APPARATUS

Flow of molten steel from a tundish to a continuous casting mould is controlled by a sliding gate valve. The gate valve comprises a stationary refractory member having a metal pouring orifice and a slidable refractory member also having a metal pouring orifice and movable between an open condition in which its orifice is aligned with the orifice of the stationary member, and a closed condition in which the two orifices are out of alignment. Freezing of molten steel at the sliding gate valve when it is closed is prevented by imparting an incremental stepping motion to the slidable member in its closed condition.

Description

2 3 ~

META~ POURING METHOD AND APPARATUS

In, for example the continuous casting of steel, S molten metal from a ladle flows into an intermediate ~: tundish from where it flows via a pouring tube into a continuous casting mould.
Flow from the tundish into the continuous casting mould may be controlled by a sliding gate valve, as is well known in the art.
If casting has ~o be interrupted, for example to change the pouring tube, the sliding gate valve is closed ~`~ and there is a danger of metal freezing at the sliding gate ~; valve, which would prevent resuming the metal flow until any frozen metal had been cleared by e.g. oxygen lancing.
i European Patent 66118 of Metacon AG., seeks to minimize this risk of freezing by imparting an oscillation to the slidable member of the gate valve in its closed position.
This may or may not be more or less effective but in any event rapid oscillation of the slidable member can have a detrimental effect on the life of the slidable member, and adjacent refractory components and also wear on the associated mechanical components.

2~3~3~

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of minimizing the risk of metal freezing duriny the interrup~ion of metal pouring operations.
The invention provides a method of pouring molten metal, in which flow of molten metal is controlled by a sliding gate valve, the gate valve comprising a stationary refractory member having a metal pouring orifice and a slidable refractory member also having a metal pouring orifice and movahle between an open condition in which its orifice is aligned with the orifice of the stationary member, and a closed condition in which the two orifice~
are out of alignment; wherein when the slidable member is in its closed condition an incremental stepping motion is imparted thereto to prevent freezing of molten metal at the sliding gate valve.
The incremental motion takes place for example in steps of 0.5 to lOmm e.g., 0.5 to 2mmj th~ dwell time between the steps of the incremental motion is e.g. 0.5 to 2 seconds; and for example each step of the incremental motion takes place in a period not exceeding 0.5 seconds.
The speed in each step is for example 5-lOOmm per second e.g.; 5-20mm per second.
The time ratio between periods of dwell and periods of incremental motion is for example 20:1 to 5:1.

2~4~;~a The invention also provides a method according to the invention, wherein in the closed condition of the sliding gate valve, the slidable member is movable between a first closed position in which the two orifices are just out of alignment and a second, terminal, closed position in which the two orifices are fur~her out of alignment, and the slidable member moves continuously with the incremental steppin~ motion between the first and second positions.
The distance between ~he first and second positions is for example 20 to lOOmm, e.g. 25 to 85mm.
The incremental stepping motion may be unidirectional from the first to the second position and from the second position hack to the first position. Alternatively, however, the incremental stepping motion may take place ; 15 cyclically by a plurality of steps in the general direction of motion followed by a lesser number of reverse steps.
There may he for example 2 to 7 steps in the general direction of motion alternating with 1 to 4 reverse steps;
e.g. 3 or 5 steps in the general direction of motion alternating with a single reverse step, which may however be longer in distance than a forward step, but still consistent with the general direction of motion being forwards.
The invention also provides apparatus constructed and arranged to carry out a method according to the invention, ~3~3~

and comprising a sliding gate valve which comprises; (a) a stationary refractory member having a metal pouring orifice; (b) a slidable refractory member also having a metal pouring orifice; (c) means for moving the slidable member between an open condition in which its orifice is aligned with the orifice of the stationary member, and a closed condition in which the ~wo orifices are out of alignmen~; and (d~ means for imparting an incremental stepping motion to the slidable member when it is in its closed condition.
There now follows a description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a method and apparatus embodying the invention. This description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation of the invention.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 shows a sliding gate valve in an open condition and shows diagrammatically hydraulic actuating and cont.rol equipment of the sliding gate valve;
Figure 2 shows the sliding gate valve in its closed condition with iks orifice just out of alignment with a stationary orifice;
Figure 3 shows the sliding gate valve also in its closed position but with its orifice further out of alignment with the stationary orifice;

2 ~ 3 ~

Figure 4 ~hows a graphical illustration of one mode of operation of apparatus embodying the invention; and Figure 5 shows a graphical illustration of an alternative mode of operation.
The apparatus embodying the invention comprises a sliding gate valve 10 arranged to control flow of molten steel from a tundish (not shown~ via a pouring tube (not shown) to a continuous castiny mould, as is well known in the art.
~he sliding gate valve 10 comprises a stationary top plate assembly 12 which is mounted on the base of the tundish. The top plate assem~ly comprises a refractory plate 14, partially clad with metal at 16 and a refractory insert 17 in which is provided a stationary pouring orifice 18. The gate valve 10 also comprises a complementary stationary bottom plate assembly 20 with a refractory plate 22, metal cladding 24, refractory insert 26 and stationary orifice 2B. A metal clad refractory nozzle member 30 is mounted on the bottom plata assembly 20 and comprises an axial bore 32; the nozzle member 30 is arranged to extend into an upper end portion of the pouring tube (not shown).
The nozzles 18, 28 and the bore 32 are all axially aligned.
A slidable plate assembly 34 is arranged for sliding movement between opposed refractory surfaces 36, 38 of the top and bottom plate assemblies 12, 20 respectively. The :~ 2~3~

. --6--slidable plate assembly 34 comprises a refractory plate 37 encased by annular metal cladding 39, and a refractory .~ insert 40 in which is provided an orifice 42.
The apparatus em~odying the invention also comprises hydraulic actuating and control equipment 44 for the . ~sliding gate valve 10. This equipment comprises a piston 46 mounted in a cylinder 48 and connected to the slidable plate assembly 34 by a piston rod 50. The cylinder 48 is connected to hydraulic power supply means 52 by hydraulic :10 lines 54; in the operation of the apparatus hydraulic fluid is supplied from the power supply means via the lines 54 to cause movement of the piston 46 in the cylinder 48 which is translated into movement of the slidable plate assembly 34 via the piston rod 50.
15The power supply means 52 is controlled by a : microprocessor 55 which is in turn controlled by software 56.
In the operation o~ the apparatus the slidable plate assembly 34 is movable between an open condition as shown in Figure 1 in which the orifice 42 is aligned with the orifices 18 and 28 and molten metal can flow from the tundish through the orifices 18, 42, 28, and the bore 32 and then via the pouring tube to the continuous casting mould; and a closed condition as shown in Figures 2 and 3 in which the orifice 42 is out of alignment with the 2~235 orifice 18, and the flow of molten metal is shut off.
Figure 2 shows a first closed position o the plate : assembly 34 in which the orifice 42 is just out of alignment with the orifice 18; and Figure 3 shows a second; terminall closed position in which the orifice 42 is further out of alignment with the orifice 18. When casting is interrupted by moving the plate assembly 34 to its closed condition the plate assembly 34 is kept moving between its first closed position and its second closed position to minimize the risk of metal freezing at the sliding gate valve, particularly but not exclusively between the surface 36 and the plate assembly 34.
To this end, the microprocessor 55 is programmed by the software 56 to impart continuously, via the hydraulic power supply means 52 and cylinder 48, an incremental stepping motion to the sliding plate assembly 34.
The incremental stepping motion for example comprises incremental steps of lmm at a constant speed of lOmm per second (i.e. lmm in 0.1 6econds) alternating with dwell periods of 1 second each.
The full stroke of the sliding gate valve 10 is from the axis A of the stationary orifice 18 to the axis B of the orifice 42 in the terminal position shown in Figure 3.
This distance is for example 120mm for a diameter of the orifice 42 of 35mm. Thus the stroke between the first and 2 3 ~

second positions as shown in Figures 2 and 3 is 85mm but the second, terminal, position may be adjusted to reduce this stroke to less than the full stroke. Again, with bigger or smaller orifice hores the stroke may be increased or decreased accordingly. It will be realized that with a stroke of 85mm between the first and second closed positions, incremental steps of lmm in 0.1 seconds and dwell periods of 1 second the time taken from the position of Figure 2 to that of Figure 3 is 93.5 seconds. If this period is sufficient for the pouring to be resumed the sliding plate assembly 34 can be retuxned rapidly to its open condition (Figure 1) from the terminal position of Figure 3, or indeed from some intermediate position if the apparatus is ready before the second position is reached.
If on the other hand the apparatus is not ready for the resumption of pouring when the second position is reached then the incremental stepping motion is reversed, and it can again be reversed towards the position of Figure 3 when the position of Figure 2 is regained.
Figure 4 illustrates one forward and one rev~rse stroke in an embodiment of the invention in which the incremental stepping motion is unidirectional from the first to the second position and from the second position back to the first position. The horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis distance; thus an 2~ ~4~3 increment is represented by a vertical line of each step and a dwell by a horizontal line.
Again, however, full stroke operation rnay not be requlred and the incremental stepping motion could be confined to a region nearer to the position of Figure 2, which is where ths sliding plate assembly 34 is hotter and therefore metal freezing is less likely to occur.
Figure 5 illustrates one forward and one reverse stroke in an embodiment of the invention in which the incremental stepping motion between the first and second positions takes place serially by three steps in the general direction of motion followed by one step in the reverse direction, which, as shown in Figure 5, may be twice the length (in distance) of a forward step.

Claims (18)

1. A method of pouring molten metal, in which flow of molten metal is controlled by a sliding gate valve, the gate valve comprising a stationary refractory member having a metal pouring orifice and a slidable refractory member also having a metal pouring orifice and movable between an open condition in which its orifice is aligned with the orifice of the stationary member, and a closed condition in which the two orifices are out of alignment; wherein when the slidable member is in its closed condition an incremental stepping motion is imparted thereto to prevent freezing of molten metal at the sliding gate valve.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the incremental motion takes place in steps of 0.5 to 10mm e.g., 0.5 to 2mm.
3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dwell time between the steps of the incremental motion is 0.5 to 2 seconds.
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each step of the incremental motion takes place in a period not exceeding 0.5 seconds.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the time ratio between the periods of dwell and periods of incremental motion is 20:1 to 5:1.
6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the speed in each step of the incremental motion is 5-100mm per second e.g., 5-20mm per second.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the closed condition of the sliding gate valve the slidable member is movable between a first closed position in which the two orifices are just out of alignment and a second, terminal, closed position in which the two orifices are further out of alignment, and the slidable member moves continuously with the incremental stepping motion between the first and second positions.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein in the closed condition the slidable member performs up to only two strokes, one from the first position to the second position and the other back to the first position.
9. A method according to claim 7, wherein in the closed condition the slidable member performs more than two strokes, one from the first position to the second position and the other back to the first position.
10. A method according to any one of claims 7, 8, and 9, where the second, terminal, position is adjustable.
11. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the distance between the first and second positions is 20 to 100mm.
12. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the incremental stepping motion is unidirectional from the first to the second position and from the second position back to the first position.
13. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the incremental stepping motion between the first and second positions takes place cyclically by a plurality of steps in the general direction of motion followed by a lesser number of reverse steps.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein 2 to 7 steps in the general direction of motion alternate with 1 to 4 reverse steps.
15. A method according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the reverse steps are longer in distance than the forward steps.
16. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal is steel, the sliding gate valve is mounted on a tundish and is arranged to control flow of molten steel from the tundish to a continuous casting mould.
17. Apparatus constructed and arranged to carry out a method according to any one of the preceding claims, and comprising a sliding gate valve which comprises;
(a) a stationary refractory member having a metal pouring orifice;

(b) a slidable refractory member also having a metal pouring orifice;
(c) means for moving the slidable member between an open condition in which its orifice is aligned with the orifice of the stationary member, and a closed condition in which the two orifices are out of alignment; and (d) means for imparting an incremental stepping motion to the slidable member when it is in its closed condition.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17 also comprising a tundish on which the sliding gate valve is mounted and a continuous casting mould, the sliding gate valve being arranged to control flow of molten metal from the tundish to the continuous casting mould.
CA 2034235 1990-01-16 1991-01-15 Metal pouring method and apparatus Abandoned CA2034235A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB909000909A GB9000909D0 (en) 1990-01-16 1990-01-16 Improvements in or relating to metal pouring
GB9000898 1990-01-16
GB909000898A GB9000898D0 (en) 1990-01-16 1990-01-16 Improvements in or relating to metal pouring
GB9000909 1990-01-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2034235A1 true CA2034235A1 (en) 1991-07-17

Family

ID=26296506

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2034235 Abandoned CA2034235A1 (en) 1990-01-16 1991-01-15 Metal pouring method and apparatus

Country Status (9)

Country Link
CN (1) CN1053375A (en)
AU (1) AU7178491A (en)
CA (1) CA2034235A1 (en)
CS (1) CS8891A2 (en)
GB (1) GB2246533B (en)
IE (1) IE910080A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1991010525A1 (en)
YU (1) YU5991A (en)
ZW (1) ZW291A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2311947A (en) * 1996-03-12 1997-10-15 Flogates Ltd Sliding gate valve
CN110064747B (en) * 2019-04-26 2021-01-26 武汉钢铁有限公司 Device and method for preventing steel overflow of continuous casting crystallizer
CN111168029B (en) * 2020-01-14 2022-04-05 邢台钢铁有限责任公司 Control method for automatic casting of large ladle of continuous casting machine

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3866806A (en) * 1973-03-01 1975-02-18 United States Steel Corp Operating mechanism for slidable gates and method of operating slide gate
DE2926863C2 (en) * 1979-07-03 1983-10-27 Zimmermann & Jansen GmbH, 5160 Düren Method for controlling the pouring slide of a pouring vessel
CH653269A5 (en) * 1981-06-01 1985-12-31 Metacon Ag METHOD FOR PREVENTING THE FREEZING OF METAL MELT IN THE OUTLET CHANNEL OF A CASTING VESSEL.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
YU5991A (en) 1994-01-20
CS8891A2 (en) 1991-08-13
IE910080A1 (en) 1991-07-31
WO1991010525A1 (en) 1991-07-25
GB2246533B (en) 1993-10-13
AU7178491A (en) 1991-08-05
GB2246533A (en) 1992-02-05
CN1053375A (en) 1991-07-31
GB9117659D0 (en) 1991-11-20
ZW291A1 (en) 1991-07-24

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