JP2012000650A - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container which suppresses radiation loss.SOLUTION: This container can house a high-temperature object in its internal chamber which is formed by inner surfaces. The inner surfaces are composed of a plurality of hollow segment members consisting of ceramics. Each segment member has a first face which consists of a part of the inside surface, a second face which is opposed to the first face through the space and side faces for connecting the first and the second faces. The second face and/or the side face have a shape which suppresses an area of heat-transfer surface.

Description

  The present invention relates to a container, for example, a container capable of containing a molten metal or alloy or the like therein.

  The casting method has a feature that it is easy to impart a shape to a product, and has become a basic technology for manufacturing many machine parts including those for automobiles. A general casting process includes steps of melting a casting material (raw material), pouring the molten material (molten metal) into a container, transporting the container to a casting apparatus, and casting with a casting apparatus using the molten metal. .

  Here, in the normal case, there is a problem of heat dissipation constantly in the container used for transporting the molten metal. That is, the heat of the molten metal injected into the container is released to the outside through the inner surface of the container to the outer surface of the container. Therefore, the temperature of the molten metal in a container falls during conveyance of a container, and the problem that a molten metal of desired temperature cannot be obtained at the time of a casting start may arise. Further, such heat dissipation loss greatly affects the energy efficiency of the entire casting process from the viewpoint of energy loss. In such a case, in order to obtain a molten metal having a predetermined temperature at the start of casting, the temperature of the molten metal poured into the container needs to be heated to an excessively high temperature in advance. However, such a countermeasure significantly increases the energy consumption of the entire process.

  Therefore, in order to suppress heat dissipation loss from such a container, the wall surface constituting the inner surface of the container has a substantially spherical shape, and the wall surface is configured by a plurality of hollow segment members made of a heat-resistant material. Has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-233744 A

  However, there is a permanent demand for reduction of heat dissipation loss for containers in which high-temperature objects such as molten metal are accommodated. In particular, in recent years, from the viewpoint of energy saving, it has become necessary to reduce the heat dissipation loss from the container over a longer time axis. Therefore, even in the container described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to say that the degree of reduction in heat dissipation loss is still sufficient.

  The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a container capable of further suppressing heat dissipation loss.

In the present invention, a container capable of accommodating a high-temperature object in an internal chamber formed by an inner surface,
The inner surface is composed of a plurality of hollow segment members made of ceramics,
Each segment member includes a first surface that constitutes a part of the inner surface, a second surface that faces the first surface through a space, and a side surface that connects the first and second surfaces. Have
The container characterized by the said 2nd surface and / or the said side surface having the shape which suppresses a heat-transfer area is provided.

  In the container according to the present invention, the second surface and / or the side surface may have at least one through hole.

Further, in the present invention, a container capable of storing a high-temperature object in an internal chamber formed by an inner surface,
The inner surface is composed of a plurality of hollow segment members made of ceramics,
Each segment member includes a first surface that constitutes a part of the inner surface, a second surface that faces the first surface through a space, and a side surface that connects the first and second surfaces. Have
Each segment member has a heat storage part containing a material whose specific heat is higher than that of air.

In the container, the first surface has a first surface on the inner chamber side and a second surface on the space side,
The heat storage unit may be installed in contact with the second surface of the first surface.

  Moreover, the said heat storage part may have a material whose specific heat is higher than the material which comprises the said segment member in the said container.

Further, in the container, the heat storage unit may have aluminum and / or B _{4 C} and (boron carbide).

  Moreover, in the said container, the said material of the said thermal storage part may be hold | maintained at the said thermal storage part with the heat-resistant fixing material.

  In the container, the fixing material may be castable.

Furthermore, in the present invention, a container capable of storing a high-temperature object in an internal chamber formed by an inner surface,
The inner surface is composed of a plurality of hollow segment members made of ceramics,
Each segment member includes a first surface that constitutes a part of the inner surface, a second surface that faces the first surface through a space, and a side surface that connects the first and second surfaces. Have
The second surface and / or the side surface has a shape that suppresses a heat transfer area,
Each segment member has a heat storage part containing a material whose specific heat is higher than that of air.

  In the container according to the present invention, the ceramics may be composed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum titanate, spinel, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and sialon.

  Moreover, the container by this invention WHEREIN: Between each segment member, the inorganic filler material may be installed.

  In the container according to the present invention, the high-temperature object may be a molten metal.

  In the present invention, a container capable of further suppressing heat dissipation loss can be provided.

It is a schematic sectional drawing of the conventional container. It is the figure which showed the shape of the segment member which comprises the inner surface of the conventional container. It is a schematic sectional drawing of an example of the container of this invention. It is the figure which showed schematically an example of the shape of the segment member which comprises the inner surface of the container shown in FIG. 1 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a container according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing which showed schematically an example of the form of another segment member.

  To better understand the characteristic configuration of the container according to the present invention, first, the configuration of a conventional container will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  In FIG. 1, sectional drawing of the conventional container 1 of patent document 1 is shown. FIG. 2 shows the shape of the segment member 10 constituting the conventional container 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional container 1 has the housing | casing 5 comprised, for example with the metal. A plurality of segment members 10 are arranged on the inner surface of the housing 5 with an inorganic filler 7 interposed therebetween, and the inner surface 30 of the container 1 is formed by these segment members 10. The inner surface 30 of the container 1 defines a container inner chamber 35.

  Furthermore, the container 1 has an upper lid 50 in order to allow the molten metal to be poured into the inner chamber 35 of the container 1. The upper lid 50 is composed of the housing 5, the inorganic filler 7, and the segment member 10, similarly to the other parts of the container 1. The upper lid 50 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed by a known hinge mechanism 52 or the like, and the inner chamber 35 is sealed when the upper lid is closed.

  The segment member 10 is made of hollow ceramics. Each segment member 10 is mutually arranged so that inner surface 30 may become substantially spherical.

  Each segment member 10 has a shape shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 2A is a top view of the segment member 10, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the segment member 10 when viewed from the direction of the arrow P1 (see FIG. 2A). (C) is a bottom view of the segment member 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the segment member 10 has a columnar shape having a top surface 11 and a bottom surface 12 that are parallel to each other, and side surfaces 13 (13A to 13E).

  As described above, the segment member 10 has a hollow structure. That is, a space is formed between the upper surface 11 and the bottom surface 12 of the segment member 10. In other words, the inner part partitioned by the five side surfaces 13A to 13E is hollow.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the top surface 11 and the bottom surface 12 are curved toward the upper side of the figure, and are convex toward the upper side. The curvature of this surface is designed so that when the plurality of segment members 10 having the same shape are arranged to form the inner surface 30 of the container, the inner surface is substantially spherical. Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the upper surface 11 has a pentagonal shape and includes three short sides LU1 to LU3 having the same length and two long sides LU4 and LU5 having the same length. . The angle θ ₁ between the two long sides LU4 and LU5 is 67.45 °, and the angle θ ₂ between the other sides is 118.14 °. The ratio of the length of the long side to the short side is 1: 1.75. Similarly, the bottom surface 12 has a pentagonal shape and includes three short sides LD1 to LD3 having the same length and two long sides LD4 and LD5 having the same length. The relationship between each of these sides and the angle between them is the same as in the case of the upper surface 11. However, as can be seen from FIG. 2, the bottom surface 12 has a reduced shape while maintaining a similar shape to the top surface 11. Therefore, the five side surfaces 13 of the segment member 10 are shown in FIG. In this way, the upper surface 11 is inclined toward the bottom surface 12. The height of the side surface 13 in the vertical direction is represented by G.

In FIG. 2B, the angle θ ₃ formed between the ridge line of each of the side surfaces 13A to 13E and the vertical line is about 10 °. However, this is an example, and the angle θ ₃ may be another angle as long as the two segment members can be arranged adjacent to each other without interference.

  By arranging 60 segment members 10 having such shapes vertically and horizontally, the substantially spherical inner surface 30 of the container 1 can be formed.

  In such a container 1, the surface area of the inner surface 30 can be made relatively small with respect to the volume of the inner chamber 35. Here, when the surface area of the inner surface 30 is reduced, the area of the portion where the molten metal accommodated in the inner chamber 35 is in contact with the container 1 is reduced, and the amount of heat transferred through this portion is also reduced. Therefore, in such a container 1, the heat dissipation loss from the container can be significantly suppressed as compared with a container having a substantially prismatic or substantially cylindrical inner chamber.

  However, as described above, there is a permanent demand for further reduction of heat dissipation loss for containers that accommodate high-temperature objects such as molten metal. In particular, in recent years, from the viewpoint of energy saving, it is necessary to reduce the heat dissipation loss with respect to a longer time axis, and the container is required to further reduce the heat dissipation loss.

  Therefore, even in the container 1, it is difficult to say that the effect of suppressing the heat radiation loss is still sufficient.

  Under such a background, the inventors of the present application promoted earnest research and development, further reduced heat dissipation loss from the container, and improved the energy saving effect. The present invention was found to be important, leading to the present invention.

  “Heat retention” is one index representing the ability of a container to maintain the high temperature of a high-temperature object accommodated in the container. A container having a higher “heat retention” is accommodated in the container. The rate of decrease of the temperature of the hot object with respect to time can be kept small.

  “Heat retention” is also an index indicating the ease of heat energy dissipation from the container. The higher the “heat retention”, the more difficult the heat release from the container, that is, the heat dissipation loss. It can be said that there are few, and a high energy-saving effect is exhibited.

For simplicity, assuming that the container is composed only of hollow segment members as shown in FIG. 2, the “heat retention” of the container can be conveniently expressed by the following formula:

“Heat retention” = 1 / ΔT Equation (1)

Here, ΔT (K) is a temperature change amount per unit time on the surface in contact with the high temperature object, that is, the bottom surface of the segment member (inner surface of the container), and the bottom surface of the segment member at time t ₁ (sec). Is T ₁ (K), and the temperature of the bottom surface of the segment member at time t ₂ (sec) (t ₂ > t ₁ ) is T ₂ (K),

ΔT = T ₁ −T ₂ formula (2)

Can be expressed as

On the other hand, the temperature change ΔT on the bottom surface of the segment member is

ΔT = ΔQ / (c _S M _S + c _A M _A ) Formula (3)

Can be expressed as Here, ΔQ is the amount of heat released from the segment member (J), c _S is the specific heat of the segment member (J / kg / K), and M _S is the mass (kg) of the segment member. c _a is the specific heat of the high temperature object (J / kg / K), M a is the mass of hot objects (kg).

The heat dissipation amount ΔQ is

ΔQ = k · S · t (T _in −T _out ) Equation (4)

Can be expressed as Here, k is the heat transfer rate (W / m ² / K) through the segment member, and δ is the height (m) of the side surface of the segment member (approximately the length G · cos θ ₃ in FIG. 2B). And λ is the thermal conductivity (W / m / K) of the segment member,

k = λ / δ Formula (5)

It is represented by

Further, in the equation (4), S is the heat transfer area of the segment members ^{(m 2),} t is the time _{(sec), T in} is the temperature of the bottom surface of the segment member (K), T _out is the temperature (K) of the upper surface of the segment member.

In the case of the segment member 10 having a shape as shown in FIG.

S = S ₁₁ + S ₁₂ + S ₁₃ formula (6)

In expressed, _{wherein, S 11} is (in FIG. 2 (a), the edge area of a region surrounded by LU1~ sides LU5) area of the upper surface 11 of the segment member _{is, S 12} is the bottom surface of the segment member 12 (the area of the region surrounded by the side LD1 to the side LD5 in FIG. 2C). _{Further, S 13} represents a heat transfer area of the side surface 13A~13E segment member, which, for each of the five sides 13A~13E shown in FIG. 2 (a), the area of the cross section in the horizontal direction, the bottom surface 12 side To the upper surface 11 side (that is, over the length G).

In equation (3), the heat release amount ΔQ of the molecule is an index representing “heat insulation”, and the heat insulation of the container increases as the heat release amount ΔQ decreases. On the other hand, _c S _{M S} of the denominator _{(c S M S + c A} M A) becomes an index representing the "heat storage" of the _container, as c S _{M S} is large, heat accumulation of the container is greater Become.

Similarly to the formula (1), for convenience, “heat insulation” = 1 / ΔQ, “heat storage” = (c _S M _S + c _A M _A ), the formula (3) is “heat retention”. = "Insulation" x "heat storage".

  Therefore, from equation (3), by increasing the “thermal insulation” of the container and / or increasing the “thermal storage” of the container, the temperature change ΔT of the container can be reduced, that is, the “heat insulation” of the container. It can be said that it can improve "sex". Moreover, it is thought that this can suppress the heat dissipation loss of a container and can improve an energy-saving effect.

  Here, regarding the “thermal insulation” of the container, from the equations (4) and (5) representing the heat dissipation amount ΔQ, the thermal conductivity λ of the segment member is decreased, the height δ of the side surface is increased, and By reducing the heat transfer area S of the segment member, the heat release amount ΔQ can be reduced and the “heat insulation” of the container can be enhanced. However, increasing the height δ of the side surface of the segment member increases the size of the container, which is not preferable in terms of transport efficiency and handling properties. Therefore, in order to improve the “heat insulation” of the container, it is preferable to reduce the heat transfer area S of the segment member as much as possible.

In general, the heat transfer area S ₁₂ of the bottom surface 12 of the segment member, since uniquely determined by the shape of the inner surface of the container, it is not possible to significantly change. Therefore, from the formula (6), in order to increase the “heat insulation” of the container, it is preferable to make the heat transfer area S _{11 on} the upper surface and / or the heat transfer area S ₁₃ on the upper surface of the segment member as small as possible. It can be said.

On the other hand, with respect to the denominator term (c _S M _S + c _A M _A ) of the formula (3) representing the “heat storage” of the container, the specific heat c _A and the mass M _A of the high-temperature object accommodated in the container are constant. Therefore, it is considered that the “heat storage property” of the container can be increased by increasing the specific heat c _S and the mass M _S of the segment member.

From this point of view,
A container capable of storing a high-temperature object in an internal chamber formed by an inner surface,
The inner surface is composed of a plurality of hollow segment members made of ceramics,
Each segment member includes a first surface that constitutes a part of the inner surface, a second surface that faces the first surface through a space, and a side surface that connects the first and second surfaces. Have
A container is provided in which the second surface and / or the side surface has a shape that suppresses a heat transfer area (first invention).

  In this configuration, the heat release amount ΔQ in the equation (3) can be reduced, that is, the “heat insulation” of the container can be increased, and as a result, the heat dissipation loss of the container can be suppressed and the energy saving effect can be increased.

In the present application,
A container capable of storing a high-temperature object in an internal chamber formed by an inner surface,
The inner surface is composed of a plurality of hollow segment members made of ceramics,
Each segment member includes a first surface that constitutes a part of the inner surface, a second surface that faces the first surface through a space, and a side surface that connects the first and second surfaces. Have
The second surface and / or the side surface has a shape that suppresses a heat transfer area,
Each segment member has a heat storage part containing a material whose specific heat is higher than air (2nd invention).

In this configuration, the “thermal insulation” of the container can be increased, and the denominator term (c _S M _S + c _A M _A ) of the formula (3), that is, the “heat storage” of the container can be increased. In particular, the heat dissipation loss of the container can be suppressed and the energy saving effect can be enhanced.

Furthermore, in this application,
A container capable of storing a high-temperature object in an internal chamber formed by an inner surface,
The inner surface is composed of a plurality of hollow segment members made of ceramics,
Each segment member includes a first surface that constitutes a part of the inner surface, a second surface that faces the first surface through a space, and a side surface that connects the first and second surfaces. Have
Each segment member has a heat storage part containing a material whose specific heat is higher than that of air (third invention).

  In this configuration, the “heat storage property” of the container can be increased, and as a result, the “heat retaining property” of the container can be increased and the energy saving effect can be increased.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

(First invention)
FIG. 3 shows an example of a schematic cross-sectional view of a first container 100 according to the present invention capable of accommodating a hot object.

  Here, the high-temperature object accommodated in the container may be a liquid or a solid. For example, the hot object housed in the container may be a molten metal or metal such as aluminum, magnesium, zinc, and iron. In addition, in the following description, the case where such a molten metal is accommodated in a container is demonstrated to an example.

  The container 100 has a housing 105 made of a metal such as stainless steel. A plurality of segment members 110, which will be described in detail later, are arranged on the inner surface of the housing 105 via an inorganic filler 107. These segment members 110 form the inner surface 130 of the container 100. However, the inorganic filler 107 is not always necessary.

  The inner surface 130 of the container 100 forms an inner chamber 135 of the container. Therefore, the inner surface 130 is in direct contact with the molten metal accommodated in the container 100. Conversely, the housing 105 is not in direct contact with the molten metal because of the segment member 110 and the inorganic filler 107. The segment member 110 is made of a hollow ceramic.

  Here, in this application, the term “ceramics” refers to materials including all inorganic materials except materials consisting only of metals and materials consisting only of organic substances, that is, fine ceramics, composite materials including inorganic materials, refractory bricks, and the like. It needs to be significant that it is a broad concept.

  Further, as described above, the term “hollow” means a structure having a cavity between the upper surface and the bottom surface of the segment member (which may be a virtual surface), or a plurality of side surfaces (these are This means a structure having a cavity in the inner part partitioned by a virtual surface.

  Although not shown in the drawing, another layer such as an inorganic fiber layer is provided between the housing 105 and the inorganic filler 107 and / or between the inorganic filler 107 and the segment member 110. May be. However, such layers are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described further here.

  In addition, although not an essential feature of the present invention, the container 100 further includes an upper lid 150 in order to allow the molten metal to be poured into the inner chamber 135 of the container 100. The upper lid 150 is composed of the housing 105, the inorganic filler 107, and the segment member 110, similarly to the other parts of the container 100. The upper lid 150 is provided so as to be openable and closable by, for example, a known hinge mechanism 152, and the inner chamber 135 is sealed when the upper lid is closed. In other words, the inner surface 130 of the container is continuously constructed when the top lid 150 is closed.

  Further, in the example of the container 100 shown in FIG. 3, the molten metal in the container 100 is discharged to the outside from the open portion with the upper lid 150 opened. However, a discharge port capable of discharging the molten metal to the outside may be provided at an appropriate portion of the container 100, and the molten metal may be discharged to the outside through this discharge port.

  Further, in order to stabilize the installation state of the container 100, a pedestal may be provided on the bottom surface of the container 100.

  Here, in the container 100 according to the present invention, the segment member 110 has a bottom surface that constitutes a part of the inner surface 130 of the container 100, an upper surface that faces the bottom surface through a space, and a side surface that connects the bottom surface and the upper surface. Have. Further, the upper surface and / or the side surface of the segment member 110 has a feature that it has a form capable of suppressing the heat transfer area.

  Hereinafter, an example of the characteristic configuration of the segment member 110 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows one shape of the segment member 110 used to configure the inner surface 130 of the container 100. 4A is a top view of the segment member 110, and FIG. 4B is a side view of the segment member 110 when viewed from the direction of the arrow P2 (see FIG. 4A). These are the side views of the segment member 110 when it sees from the direction of arrow P3 (refer Fig.4 (a)), (d) is a bottom view of the segment member 110. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the segment member 110 has an upper surface 111, a bottom surface 112, and side surfaces 113 (113A to 113E), and has a columnar shape similar to that of the segment member 10 shown in FIG. .

  However, the segment member 110 is greatly different from the above-described segment member 10 in the form of the side surface and the upper surface.

  That is, the upper surface 111 of the segment member 110 has the through-hole 120. Therefore, the upper surface area of the upper surface 111 of the segment member 110 is smaller than that of the segment member 10 shown in FIG. Similarly, the side surface 113 of the segment member 110 has through-holes 125 and 128, so that the side surface area of the side surface 113 of the segment member 110 is reduced compared to the segment member 10 shown in FIG. .

  In FIG. 4, the side surface 113 of the segment member 110 is changed to a side surface 113A (side surface including short sides LU1 and LD1), 113B (side surface including short sides LU2 and LD2), and 113C (side surface including short sides LU3 and LD3). , 113D (side surfaces including long sides LU4 and LD4) and 113E (side surfaces including long sides LU5 and LD5), the side surfaces 113A to 113C each have two through holes 125 having the same size and shape (FIG. 4 (b)). Each of the side surfaces 113D and 113E has six through holes 128 having the same shape and shape (see FIG. 4C).

In the structure of the segment member 110 as shown in FIG. 4, the portion of S ₁₁ + S ₁₃ can be reduced in the above-described equation (6), and the heat transfer area S can be suppressed. Accordingly, when the container is formed by combining the segment members 210 having the structure shown in FIG. 4, the heat radiation amount ΔQ of the container is significantly reduced as compared with the conventional container 1 from the formula (4), and the “insulation of the container” Can improve "sexuality". As a result, from equation (3), the “heat-retaining property” of the container is increased, and the heat dissipation loss of the container is suppressed, and the energy saving effect can be enhanced.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the upper surface 111 of the segment member 110 has a single through hole 120 having a large cross section at the center. However, the number, size, shape, and arrangement of the through holes formed in the upper surface 111 are not particularly limited. Similarly, the side surfaces 113A to 113C of the segment member 110 have two through-holes 125 having the same shape with a circular cross section arranged in the vertical direction, and the side surfaces 113D and 113E have the same shape with a circular cross section. Six through holes 128 are provided. However, the number, size, shape, and arrangement of the through holes formed in the side surfaces 113A to 113E are not particularly limited. That is, what is important in the present invention is that the surface area of the upper surface 111 and the side surface 113 of the segment member 110 is reduced compared to the segment member 10 as shown in FIG. The specification is not particularly limited.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the through holes 120 and 125 on the upper surface 111 and the side surface 113 of the segment member 110 are not necessarily required. That is, in the present invention, it is only necessary to provide a means for suppressing the heat transfer area on the upper surface 111 and the side surface 113 of the segment member 110. For example, the side surface 113 may have a “column” structure instead of a “surface” shape. In this case, the upper surface 111 and the bottom surface 112 are connected by a plurality of columns. The number, the thickness (cross-sectional area), and the position of the columns are not particularly limited as long as the strength is established. For example, the number of columns may be the same as the number of vertices of the top surface 111 and / or the bottom surface 112 (that is, five in the example of FIG. 4) or may be different. Further, in this case, the material of each “pillar” may be the same or different.

  For example, the space part of the side surface 113 may be filled with a material having high heat insulation.

Similarly, the upper surface 111 of the segment member 110 may not be present if strength construction is possible. In this case, S ₁₁ = 0 in the equation (6).

  According to the inventors, in a state where the minimum strength of the segment member 110 is maintained, the total heat transfer area of the upper surface 111 and the side surface 113 of the segment member 110 is the upper surface 11 and the side surface of the segment member 10 shown in FIG. It has been estimated that the total heat transfer area can be reduced by about 1% to 50%. Here, the heat transfer area of the side surface 113 is proportional to the volume of the side wall, and the volume of the side wall is proportional to the area of the side wall. Therefore, the side wall area is used here as an index of the heat transfer area of the side surface 113.

  For example, in the configuration of FIG. 4A, the heat transfer area of the upper surface 111 is reduced by about 10% to 60% (for example, 12%) by appropriately selecting the dimension (diameter) of the through hole 120 having a circular cross section. Can be made. 4B and 4C, by appropriately selecting the dimensions (diameters) of the through holes 125 and 128 having a circular cross section, the heat transfer areas of the side surfaces 113A to 113E are 5% to 25%. % (For example, 24%). Thereby, the heat transfer area suppression effect of about 20% to 40% (for example, 20%) is obtained in the entire upper surface 111 and side surface 113.

  FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the container 100 configured by arranging the segment members 110 described above on the inner surface of the housing 105. However, in this figure, the upper surface 111 of the segment member 110 and the through holes 120, 125, 128 on the side surface 113 are not shown for the sake of clarity. In the example of this figure, an inorganic filler 107 is installed in the gap between the casing 105 and each segment member 110 and between the segment members 110. Such an arrangement of segment members forms a substantially spherical inner surface 130.

  Hereinafter, the specification of each member which comprises the container by this invention is demonstrated in detail.

(Segment member 110)
In the segment member 110 shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface 111 and the bottom surface 112 have a curved surface shape. However, this curved surface shape is not always necessary, and both surfaces may be flat surfaces. However, when the upper surface or the bottom surface (in particular, the bottom surface 112) has a curved surface as shown in FIG. 4, the volume of the inner surface 130 of the container configured by arranging the segment members can be increased. it can. On the other hand, in the segment member 110, when the upper surface 111 and the bottom surface 112 have flat surfaces instead of curved surfaces, an inner surface 130 having a substantially pentagonal hexahedron shape is formed. The segment member 110 may be formed by combining a plurality of segment members having different shapes to form the inner surface 130 having a substantially spherical or substantially quasi-regular polyhedron shape.

  Furthermore, in the container 100 of the present invention, the shape of the inner surface 130 is not necessarily spherical or substantially spherical. For example, the shape of the inner surface 130 of the container may be a columnar shape or a prismatic shape.

  When the container 100 is used for containing molten metal, it is preferable that at least the bottom surface 112 of the segment member 110 is made of a chemically stable material when in contact with the molten metal. Thereby, the problem that impurities are mixed in the molten metal due to the mutual reaction between the molten metal and the segment member and the quality of the molten metal is reduced can be suppressed. In addition, problems such as container breakage due to chemical degradation can be reduced.

  In addition, the thickness of the segment member 110 is preferably as thin as possible from the viewpoint of reducing the heat transfer area.

  On the other hand, extremely thinning of the segment member is a problem because the mechanical strength of the member itself is lowered. Therefore, the wall thickness of the segment member is preferably in the range of about 1 mm to about 10 mm, and more preferably in the range of about 3 mm to about 8 mm.

Examples of the ceramic material for the segment member include aluminum titanate, spinel (MgAl ₂ O _{4 and the} like), silicon nitride, alumina, silicon carbide, sialon, and boron compounds (hereinafter, these ceramics are referred to as “non- Called fire-resistant brick-based ceramics). In particular, since aluminum titanate and silicon nitride are relatively stable with respect to molten aluminum, it is preferable to use these materials when the container is used to accommodate the molten metal.

  Alternatively, as the ceramic material for the segment member, for example, a refractory brick containing one or more materials selected from the group consisting of alumina, magnesia, chromia, silica, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and calcia may be used. . However, when using refractory bricks, it is preferable to install “non-refractory brick ceramics” at least on the bottom surface 112 constituting the inner surface 130 of the container. In general, refractory bricks have the disadvantages that they are weak and tend to be partially chipped. However, by adopting such a configuration, the strength of the segment member is improved, and for example, the problem that the liquid stored in the internal space of the container is contaminated by the fallen object can be avoided.

(Inorganic filler 107)
The inorganic filler 107 is installed in a gap between the casing 105 of the container and each segment member 110 and / or between each segment member 110.

  The inorganic filler 107 may be, for example, an alumina-silica-based inorganic material (for example, castable).

  Instead of the inorganic filler 107, a sheet material containing inorganic fibers may be used. Since the sheet material containing inorganic fibers is generally low-elasticity and flexible, when such a sheet material is used, the segment member 110 is mechanically bonded to the sheet material by pressing the segment member 110 against the sheet material. Can be brought into close contact (engagement). Further, since the thickness becomes more uniform than when an amorphous inorganic filler such as castable is used, it is possible to reduce the dimensional error from the design container shape. Furthermore, when a segment member is damaged, the segment member can be easily removed by pulling it out of the sheet material. Therefore, in this embodiment, the segment member can be easily replaced as compared with the case where the inorganic filler 107 is used for the gap. In addition, in the state which pressed the segment member 110 with respect to the sheet | seat material, when sufficient adhesiveness is not acquired, you may use an inorganic adhesive material between both.

  The material of the inorganic fiber contained in the sheet material is not particularly limited, and the inorganic fiber may include, for example, alumina, silica, or a mixture thereof. The form of the sheet material is not particularly limited, and the sheet material may be in various forms such as a mat-like form made of inorganic fibers or a non-woven cloth form.

(Case 105)
The housing 105 can be used in various ways. For example, the outer shape of the housing 105 is not limited to the spherical shape as shown in FIG. 3, and the housing may have another outer contour such as a square. Further, the housing 105 may have a double wall structure, and an air layer, a decompression layer, or a vacuum layer may be provided between two walls. Or you may provide a heat insulating material layer or a heat | fever reflection layer between two walls. Further, as a material for the housing, nickel base alloy or the like may be used in addition to stainless steel.

(Second invention)
Next, the structure of the 2nd container by this invention is demonstrated. Note that the overall configuration of the second container is substantially the same as the configuration of the container 100 shown in FIG. 3 described above, and therefore, the drawing representing the second container is not particularly shown. Instead, the description will be given by substituting FIG. 3 if necessary. In this case, in order to distinguish each member which comprises a 2nd container from each member which comprises the container of FIG. 3, in each member which comprises a 2nd container, the referential mark of each constituent member of FIG. Let us use the reference sign plus 100. Thus, for example, the segment member of the second container is 210 and the inner surface of the second container is 230. The second container is denoted by reference numeral 200.

  FIG. 6 schematically shows an example of the segment member 210 used in constructing the inner surface 230 of the second container 200 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the segment member 210 has the same configuration as the segment member 110 shown in FIG. That is, the segment member 210 has a hollow structure, and has a top surface 211 and a bottom surface 212 that are parallel to each other, and side surfaces 213A to 213E, and has a columnar shape. As means for suppressing the heat transfer area, a through hole 220 is provided on the upper surface 211 of the segment member 210, and through holes 225 and 228 are provided on the side surfaces 213A to 213E.

  However, the segment member 210 is different from the segment member 110 described above in that it has a heat storage section 240 inside. The heat storage unit 240 includes a heat storage material 250.

In the structure of the segment member 210 as shown in FIG. 6, the portion of S ₁₁ + S ₁₃ can be reduced in the above-described equation (6), and the heat transfer area S can be suppressed. Therefore, in this case, from equation (4), the heat dissipation amount ΔQ of the container can be significantly reduced compared to the conventional container 1, and the “heat insulation” of the container can be increased. Furthermore, in the case of the segment member 210, the specific heat c _S of the segment member 210 in the denominator term (c _S M _S + c _A M _A ) can be increased in the expression (3) due to the presence of the heat storage material 250. Thereby, the "heat storage property" of a container can be improved.

  As a result, from equation (3), the “heat retention” of the container is increased, and compared with a container using the segment member 110, the heat dissipation loss of the container can be further suppressed, and the energy saving effect can be enhanced.

  Here, it should be noted that the “heat storage material” 250 is a general term for materials having a specific heat larger than that of air. “Heat storage material” 250 may be, for example, a metal (including an alloy), ceramics, or the like.

When the “heat storage material” 250 is made of a metal, the metal may be aluminum, cast iron, steel (alloy), magnesium, lithium, or the like. When the “heat storage material” 250 is made of ceramics, such ceramics include boron carbide (B ₄ C), alumina (Al ₂ O ₃ ), silicon carbide (SiC), and silicon nitride (Si ₃ N ₄ ). , Calcia (CaO), magnesia (MgO), and the like may be used.

Further, the “heat storage material” 250 may be the same material as the material constituting the segment member 210. Even in such a case, because the equation (3), the weight M _S segment member 210 is increased, it is possible to increase the "heat storage" of the container. However, it is more preferable that the heat storage material 250 is selected from materials having a specific heat higher than that of the material constituting the segment member 210.

  In addition, the installation and fixing method of the heat storage material 250 to the heat storage unit 240 is not particularly limited. For example, the heat storage material 250 may be fixed to the heat storage unit 240 by being held, supported, or embedded in a heat-resistant holding material. As a holding material having heat resistance, for example, when holding a heat storage material, it has fluidity, pastes for high temperature, cement, or high temperature adhesive that solidifies after determining the position of the heat storage material, etc. Can be used. An example of such a holding material is castable.

  Incidentally, in the example of FIG. 6, the heat storage unit 240 is installed on the entire inner surface (that is, the upper surface 211 side) of the bottom surface 212 of the segment member 210. However, the heat storage unit 240 may be installed on a part of the bottom surface 212 of the segment member 210. Further, the heat storage unit 240 may be provided at any position inside the segment member 210. However, in a normal case, when the heat storage unit 240 is installed inside the bottom surface 212 (that is, on the upper surface 211 side), the heat storage effect of the segment member can be most effectively enhanced. In addition to the inside of the segment member 210, the heat storage unit 240 may be installed in the through holes 225 and 228 on the side surface 213 of the segment member 210. Thereby, the heat transfer to the upper surface 211 side of the segment member 210 can be suppressed more.

  Further, the amount of the heat storage material 250 installed in the heat storage unit 240 is not particularly limited. The installation amount of the heat storage material 250 depends on the effect of improving the “heat storage” by installing the heat storage material 250, the heat insulation deterioration by installing the heat storage material 250 and / or the increase in the total weight of the entire container. It is determined in the balance with evil.

  The heat storage material 250 is preferably black. On the other hand, the upper surface of the segment member 210 and / or the inner surface of the side surface 213 is preferably silver white.

(Third invention)
Also in the third invention according to the present invention, the configuration of the container (third container) is the same as that of the first container 100 and the second container 200 described above. Moreover, the structure of the segment member which comprises a 3rd container is the same as that of the segment member 210 shown in FIG.

  More specifically, the segment member of the third container has a heat storage part inside, thereby obtaining an effect of increasing the heat storage property of the container.

  However, in the third container, the segment member does not have the heat transfer area reducing means such as the through holes 220, 225, and 228 in the upper surface 211 and the side surface 213 in FIG. That is, the segment member of the third container does not have a means for improving the heat insulating property of the container.

  Even if the segment member has such a configuration, since the means for increasing the heat storage property of the container is applied to the segment member, it is known to those skilled in the art that the heat retaining property of the container can be further improved compared to the conventional case. Will be clear.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

(Comparative Example 1)
Silicon powder (average particle size of about 1 μm), silicon nitride powder (average particle size of about 1 μm), and mullite powder (average particle size of 0.5 μm) are weighed so that the weight ratio is 60:30:10. These powders were mixed well. To this mixed powder, an acrylic binder was added so as to be 1 Wt% with respect to the weight of the mixed powder, and 25 Wt% of water was further added with respect to the weight of the mixed powder. This mixed liquid was mixed by a ball mill to obtain a slurry.

  The obtained slurry was poured into a plaster mold to produce a molded body. The plaster mold has an upper lid and is shaped so as to obtain a molded body having the shape shown in FIG. Further, the upper lid is provided with a discharge port for discharging unsolidified slurry. Molding with hollow inside by discharging a part of the unsolidified slurry after filling to the specified wall thickness, sealing the discharge port with a plaster plug, and then depositing the unsolidified slurry remaining in the mold on the plaster plug You can get a body. Using this gypsum mold, a molded body having a thickness of about 3 mm and a hollow inside was obtained.

  The obtained molded body was dried and then fired at a maximum of 1440 ° C. in a nitrogen atmosphere, whereby a segment member having the shape shown in FIG. 2 was obtained.

  In the obtained segment member, the length of the long sides (LU4 and LU5 in FIG. 2) of the first main surface is 55 mm, and the length of the short sides (LU1 to LU3 in FIG. 2) is 33 mm. Met. The long side (LD4 and LD5 in FIG. 2) of the second main surface was 40 mm, and the short side (LD1 to LD3 in FIG. 2) was 24 mm. The wall thickness was about 3 mm, and the height (length G in FIG. 2) was 33 mm.

  The segment member thus obtained is referred to as a segment member according to “Comparative Example 1”.

  A sample was cut out from the segment member according to Comparative Example 1 so as to have a thickness of 2 mm and a diameter of 10 mm. Using this sample, the thermal conductivity was measured by a laser flash method (measuring device: TC-7000 manufactured by Vacuum Riko). The thermal conductivity of the sample was about 8 W / m · K. Further, as a result of experiments, it was found that this material is difficult to get wet with molten aluminum and has sufficient strength.

Example 1
A segment member according to Example 1 was manufactured by the same method as in Comparative Example 1 described above. However, in Example 1, in order to reduce the heat transfer area (S ₁₃ ) of the side surface of the segment member, one or more through holes having a diameter of 2 to 20 mm are provided on the side surface (5 surfaces excluding the bottom surface and the top surface) of the segment member. Installed at the place.

(Example 2)
A segment member according to Example 2 was manufactured by the same method as in Comparative Example 1 described above. However, in Example 2, in order to reduce the heat transfer area (S ₁₃ ) of the side surface of the segment member, the side surface (5 surfaces excluding the bottom surface and the top surface) of the segment member was penetrated leaving the contour portion (width of about 5 mm). It was a hole. For this reason, the side surface of the segment member has a column shape that substantially connects the bottom surface and the top surface.

(Example 3)
A segment member according to Example 3 was manufactured by the same method as in Comparative Example 1 described above. However, in Example 3, in order to reduce the heat transfer area (S ₁₁ ) on the upper surface of the segment member, the through-holes of φ20 to φ40 are formed in one place on the upper surface of the segment member obtained in Comparative Example 1 by processing. installed.

Example 4
A segment member according to Example 4 was manufactured by the same method as in Comparative Example 1 described above. However, in Example 4, in order to reduce the heat transfer area (S ₁₁ ) on the upper surface of the segment member, in the segment member obtained in Comparative Example 1, a contour portion (width of about 5 mm) on the upper surface is left to be a through hole. A segment member having substantially no upper surface (S ₁₁ ) was produced.

(Example 5)
The segment member according to Example 5 was manufactured by filling the internal space of the segment member according to Example 1 with a heat storage material. More specifically, a castable mainly composed of silicon carbide is kneaded with water, and the castable is placed in the internal space of the segment member obtained in Example 1 so as to be close to the second inner surface of the bottom surface. A fixed amount was poured to form a heat storage material. At this time, it is necessary to prevent the castable from flowing out from the side through-hole. Therefore, the castable was filled in the bottom half in the through hole in advance. Thereby, the heat storage material was able to be fixed more firmly.

(Example 6)
The segment member according to Example 6 was manufactured by filling the internal space of the segment member according to Example 1 with a heat storage material. More specifically, in the internal space of the segment member obtained in Example 1, aluminum pellets (diameter 5 mm) were spread so as to be close to the second inner surface of the bottom surface to obtain a heat storage material. Furthermore, the castable prepared by the same method as in Example 5 was poured so as to cover the pellet, and the pellet was fixed to the second inner surface of the bottom surface of the segment member.

(Example 7)
A segment member according to Example 7 having a heat storage material inside was produced by the same method as in Example 6. However, in Example 7, instead of aluminum pellets, copper pellets were installed on the second inner surface of the bottom surface to obtain a heat storage material.

(Example 8)
A segment member according to Example 8 having a heat storage material inside was produced by the same method as in Example 6. However, in Example 8, instead of aluminum pellets, steel pellets were installed on the second inner surface of the bottom surface to obtain a heat storage material.

Example 9
A segment member according to Example 9 having a heat storage material inside was produced by the same method as in Example 5. However, in Example 9, a granular and / or powdery B ₄ C (boron carbide) raw material was further mixed with the castable. The prepared castable was poured into the internal space of the segment member obtained in Example 1 to form a heat storage material close to the second inner surface on the bottom surface.

(Example 10)
A segment member according to Example 10 having a heat storage material inside was produced by the same method as in Example 5. However, in Example 10, a mixed solution of water and alumina was used instead of castable. This mixed solution was poured into the internal space of the segment member obtained in Example 1 so as to be close to the second inner surface of the bottom surface. Thereby, the alumina was installed as the heat storage material on the second inner surface of the bottom surface of the segment member.

(Example 11)
In the segment member obtained in Example 5, inorganic heat insulating fibers and an aluminum plate were filled in the internal space portion that was not filled with the heat storage material. As a result, it is possible to suppress heat transfer by radiation and convection from the bottom surface of the segment member in contact with the heat accumulator to the upper surface side of the segment member, thereby improving heat storage efficiency and improving heat insulation of the segment member Can be made.

(Evaluation of segment members)
Using each segment member produced by the above method, heat insulation and heat retention were evaluated.

  Evaluation of heat insulation was performed as follows.

First, the side surfaces (5 surfaces excluding the bottom and top surfaces) of each segment member are covered with a heat insulating material. Next, the periphery of the bottom surface of the segment member and the periphery of the top surface are surrounded by a heat insulating material. Thereby, the segment member is thermally shielded from the outside. In this state, the bottom surface temperature (T _in ) and the top surface temperature (T _out ) of the segment member when the heating was stopped after the bottom surface of the segment member was directly heated by the electric heater were measured.

Here, the amount of heat Q that passes through the segment member per unit time is represented by Q = kS (T _in −T _out ), where k is a heat transmission rate and S is an area. That is, the heat transfer rate k of the segment member is represented by k = Q / S (T _in −T _out ).

Here, the area S is constant depending on the predetermined shape of the segment member. Therefore, this equation indicates that if the passing heat quantity Q is constant, the larger (T _in −T _out ) is, the smaller the heat passing rate k is, that is, the higher the heat insulating property.

  Furthermore, since the passing heat quantity Q can be calculated from the power consumption of the electric heater, the heat passing rate k of the segment member can be calculated from this.

  Therefore, the heat passage rate k of the segment member was used as an index of heat insulation.

In addition, the evaluation of the heat insulating property is the ratio of the heat passage rate of the segment member according to each example when the heat pass rate value of the segment member according to Comparative Example 1 is 100 (hereinafter referred to as “heat pass rate ratio k _0”). ").

  On the other hand, evaluation of heat retention was carried out as follows.

Each segment member is heated from the bottom side, and when the heating is stopped, the bottom surface temperature (T _in ) of the segment member is measured, and the rate of decrease _in the bottom surface temperature (T _in ) is calculated. Evaluation of “sex” was performed.

The evaluation of the heat retention, when the rate of decrease the temperature of the bottom surface of the segment member according to Comparative Example 1 (T _in) and 100, the rate of decrease in the temperature of the bottom surface of the segment members according to the embodiments (T _in) It was calculated as a ratio (hereinafter referred to as “temperature decrease ratio T ₀ ”).

As a result, the heat passage ratio k ₀ of the segment members according to Examples 1 to 11 was in the range of 70 to 95. From this, it was found that the heat insulating properties of the segment member according to the present invention are improved as compared with the conventional segment member.

Also, temperature reduction ratio _{T 0} of the segment members according to Examples 1 to 11 were all a range of 90-95. From this, it was found that the heat retention is improved in the segment member according to the present invention as compared with the conventional segment member.

(Example 12)
A substantially spherical container shown in FIG. 3 was prototyped. The outer side (housing) of the container was made of stainless steel having a thickness of 4 mm. Note that the case was divided. The dimensions of the assembled stainless steel housing are an outer diameter of 258 mm and an inner diameter of 250 mm.

  An inorganic fiber sheet mainly composed of alumina and silica is arranged on the inner surface of the casing, and the segment members prepared in Examples 1 to 11 are arranged and arranged in the form shown in FIG. 3 on the inner surface of the sheet. The inner surface of the container was formed. In addition, the inorganic fiber sheet having a thickness of about 1 mm was also installed in a gap formed between the segment members.

  Assuming that the inner surface of the container thus configured is a sphere, the radius of the sphere was about 90 mm. In this container, about 7 kg of molten aluminum can be accommodated.

  The heat retention of the obtained container was evaluated.

  Evaluation of heat retention was performed by injecting about 7 kg of molten aluminum having an initial temperature of about 750 ° C. into the container and setting the time for sealing to zero, and measuring the temperature of the molten metal after each lapse of time.

  As a result of the evaluation of heat retention, it was found that the temperature of the molten aluminum dropped to 670 ° C. to 680 ° C. after 1 hour in the container in which the inner surface was constituted by the segment member according to Comparative Example 1. On the other hand, in the container which comprised the inner surface with the segment member which concerns on Examples 1-11, the temperature of the molten aluminum after 1 hour was between 700 degreeC-710 degreeC in any case. From this, it was found that by using the segment member according to the present invention, the heat retaining property of the container is improved as compared with the conventional container.

  The present invention can be used, for example, in a container for storing a molten metal or alloy. Moreover, this invention is applicable not only to a molten metal but the container which accommodates high temperature powder, a pellet, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conventional container 5 Housing | casing 7 Inorganic filler 10 Segment member 11 Upper surface 12 Bottom surface 13 Side surface 30 Inner surface 35 Inner chamber 50 Upper lid 52 Hinge mechanism 100 Container of this invention 105 Housing | casing 107 Inorganic filler 110 Segment member 111 Upper surface 112 Bottom surface 113 Side surface 120 Top surface through hole 125, 128 Side surface through hole 130 Inner surface 135 Inner chamber 150 Upper lid 152 Hinge mechanism 210 Another segment member 211 Upper surface 212 Bottom surface 213A to 213E Side surface 220 Through hole 225, 228 Side surface through hole 240 heat storage part 250 heat storage material.

Claims (12)

A container capable of storing a high-temperature object in an internal chamber formed by an inner surface,
The inner surface is composed of a plurality of hollow segment members made of ceramics,
Each segment member includes a first surface that constitutes a part of the inner surface, a second surface that faces the first surface through a space, and a side surface that connects the first and second surfaces. Have
The said 2nd surface and / or the said side surface have a shape which suppresses a heat-transfer area, The container characterized by the above-mentioned.   The container according to claim 1, wherein the second surface and / or the side surface has at least one through hole. A container capable of storing a high-temperature object in an internal chamber formed by an inner surface,
The inner surface is composed of a plurality of hollow segment members made of ceramics,
Each segment member includes a first surface that constitutes a part of the inner surface, a second surface that faces the first surface through a space, and a side surface that connects the first and second surfaces. Have
Each segment member has the heat storage part containing the material whose specific heat is higher than air, The container characterized by the above-mentioned. The first surface has a first surface on the inner chamber side and a second surface on the space side,
The said heat storage part is installed so that the said 2nd surface of the said 1st surface may be contact | connected, The container of Claim 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the heat storage unit includes a material having a specific heat higher than that of the material constituting the segment member. The heat storage unit, aluminum and / or B _{4 C} Container according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it has a (boron carbide).   The container according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the material of the heat storage unit is held in the heat storage unit by a heat-resistant fixing material.   The container according to claim 7, wherein the fixing member is castable. A container capable of storing a high-temperature object in an internal chamber formed by an inner surface,
The inner surface is composed of a plurality of hollow segment members made of ceramics,
Each segment member includes a first surface that constitutes a part of the inner surface, a second surface that faces the first surface through a space, and a side surface that connects the first and second surfaces. Have
The second surface and / or the side surface has a shape that suppresses a heat transfer area,
Each segment member has the heat storage part containing the material whose specific heat is higher than air, The container characterized by the above-mentioned.   10. The ceramic according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum titanate, spinel, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and sialon. Container as described.   The container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein an inorganic filler is installed between the segment members.   The container according to claim 1, wherein the high-temperature object is a molten metal.

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