JP2020203301A - Thermoelectric generation apparatus and thermoelectric generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a thermoelectric generation apparatus with a simple structure, capable of mounting the thermoelectric generation apparatus to an existing continuous casting line.SOLUTION: A thermoelectric generation apparatus includes a thermoelectric generation unit for converting heat energy in a slab to electric energy in a dummy bar lower insertion-type continuous casting machine. The thermoelectric generation apparatus is positioned on a transfer line of the slab, where the thermoelectric generation unit is not brought into contact with a dummy bar table, in a movable range of the dummy bar table which descends toward the transfer line to collect the dummy bar.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a thermoelectric power generation device that converts and recovers the thermal energy of a hot slab (hereinafter, simply referred to as a slab) into electric energy, and a thermoelectric power generation method using the same.

It has long been known as the Seebeck effect that an electromotive force is generated between a high temperature part and a low temperature part when a temperature difference is applied to different types of conductors or semiconductors, and a thermoelectric power generation element is used by utilizing such a property. It is also known to be used to convert heat directly into electricity. In recent years, in manufacturing facilities such as steel mills, for example, energy that has been wasted as waste heat by power generation using the above-mentioned thermoelectric power generation element, for example, is manufactured by a continuous casting machine with a dummy bar downward insertion type. Efforts to utilize the thermal energy generated by slab radiation are being promoted.

As a method of utilizing thermal energy, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a method of arranging a heat receiving device facing a high-temperature object, converting the thermal energy of the high-temperature object into electrical energy, and recovering the heat energy.

Patent Document 2 describes a method of contacting a thermoelectric element module with thermal energy treated as waste heat to convert it into electrical energy and recover it.

However, although Patent Document 1 describes that it can be applied to a slab continuous casting line, the heat source during operation such as the temperature distribution of the slab in the actual operation and the fluctuation of the heat released (heat energy) due to the fluctuation of the slab amount. No consideration is given to variations or the use of dummy bar tables.

Further, in Patent Document 2, since it is necessary to fix the module to the heat source, there is a problem that the module cannot be properly installed on the moving heat source.

In view of the above circumstances, the applicant has proposed in Patent Document 3 a thermoelectric power generation device capable of performing highly efficient thermoelectric power generation according to the positions of the slab and the dummy bar table, and a thermoelectric power generation method using the same. ..

JP-A-59-198883 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 60-34084 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-217225

In the thermoelectric power generation device described in Patent Document 3 above, highly efficient thermoelectric power generation is realized by retracting the thermoelectric power generation unit to the side of the dummy bar when the dummy bar table is lowered and returning it to the original position when the dummy bar table is raised. There is. By the way, other equipment, building structures, etc. may be deployed around the existing continuous casting line and the dummy bar table attached to the existing continuous casting line, and the invention described in Patent Document 3 is applied to the existing continuous casting line. In order to apply it, it may not be possible to secure a shelter space for the thermoelectric power generation unit, making it difficult to apply it to existing continuous casting lines. Further, since the thermoelectric power generation device described in Patent Document 3 has a complicated structure, there is room for improvement in terms of cost.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric power generation device having a simple structure capable of retrofitting a thermoelectric power generation device to an existing continuous casting line. ..

As a result of diligent studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventors have performed highly efficient thermoelectric power generation by appropriately adjusting the position of the thermoelectric power generation unit according to the positions of the slab and the dummy bar table. In particular, we have developed a thermoelectric power generation device that enables efficient heat utilization in a continuous casting machine with a dummy bar downward insertion type, together with a thermoelectric power generation method using it.

That is, the gist structure of the present invention is as follows.
1. 1. A thermoelectric power generation device provided with a thermoelectric power generation unit that converts the thermal energy of a slab into electrical energy in a continuous casting machine with a dummy bar inserted downward.
A thermoelectric generator located on the transport line where the thermoelectric power generation unit does not come into contact with the dummy bar table in the range of motion of the dummy bar table, which descends toward the transport line of the slab to collect the dummy bar.

2. 2. The thermoelectric power generation device according to 1 above, further comprising a means for moving the slab in a direction along a transport line.

3. 3. In the thermoelectric power generation method using the thermoelectric power generation device according to 1 or 2, when receiving heat from the slab to perform thermoelectric power generation, the thermoelectric power generation unit is moved to a position facing the slab. A thermoelectric power generation method in which the thermoelectric power generation unit is moved to a retracted position on the transport line that does not interfere with the dummy bar when the dummy bar is used.

4. When performing the thermoelectric power generation method according to 3, the movement to the confronting position with the slab or the evacuation position on the transport line that does not interfere with the dummy bar is incorporated into the sequence of the dummy bar downward insertion type continuous casting machine. Thermoelectric power generation method controlled by.

According to the present invention, since the thermoelectric power generation unit and the heat source can be held at a position where the power generation efficiency is high, the power generation efficiency is improved, and the transfer line of the dummy bar downward insertion type continuous casting machine is improved as compared with the conventional case. The heat energy generated from the passing slab can be recovered at a high level.

It is a schematic diagram of the continuous casting facility using the thermoelectric power generation apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the position of the 1st thermoelectric power generation apparatus when the dummy bar table is lowered in one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the position of the 2nd thermoelectric power generation apparatus when the dummy bar table is lowered in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the continuous casting facility using the thermoelectric power generation apparatus in another embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the cutting machine in another embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the thermoelectric power generation apparatus position at the time of lowering a dummy bar table in another embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the continuous casting facility using the thermoelectric power generation apparatus in still another embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the thermoelectric power generation apparatus position at the time of lowering a dummy bar table in still another embodiment of this invention.

The thermoelectric power generation device of the present invention will be specifically described below. The following description shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following description.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a continuous casting facility 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The molten steel contained in the ladle 2 is poured into the mold 4 via the tundish 3. Next, the steel in the state where solidification has started is drawn out from the mold 4 and continuously cooled by the slab cooling device 5. The slab 7 that has passed through the roller group 6 including the straightening roll and the like is conveyed to the downstream cutting position 9 by the conveying roller 8 and cut to an appropriate length. Reference numeral 10 is a thermoelectric generator, 11 is a dummy bar table, and 12 is a dummy bar receiver. The cutting machine 10 is installed on a rail laid parallel to the transport direction of the slab 7, and is movably installed along the transport direction of the slab.

The thermoelectric power generation device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a self-propelled carriage 10a installed on a rail (not shown) laid parallel to the transport direction of the slab 7, and a thermoelectric generator mounted on the carriage 10a. It has a power generation unit 10b. The thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is arranged so that it can directly face the slab 7, which is a heat source, by incorporating the trolley 10a into the frame, for example, as a frame structure. The slab 7 is located on the upper surface of the transport roller 8 and faces the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b above the slab 7. Here, a plurality of thermoelectric power generation units are provided in one thermoelectric power generation device 10, and for example, a power generation unit group consisting of 16 units in 4 rows × 4 rows (hereinafter, even if there are a plurality of units, they are simply referred to as thermoelectric power generation units). It is preferable to have the above from the viewpoint of the size of the slab and the efficiency of power generation. Further, any thermoelectric power generation unit can be used as long as it is provided with a thermoelectric element (also referred to as a thermoelectric conversion element) that converts the heat of the slab 7 into electric energy.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the thermoelectric power generation device 10, the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is arranged above the transfer roller 8 and below the dummy bar table 11 during power generation (position facing the slab 7). At this time, the thermoelectric power generation device 10 is arranged on the upstream side of the slab 7 in the transport direction as much as possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is arranged on the outlet side of the roller group 6 and the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b faces the portion on the higher temperature side of the slab 7. It is preferable that the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b has a surface facing the slab 7 at a position where the distance from the transport roller 8 is 1500 mm or less. A position where the distance is 650 mm or less is more preferable.

Next, when the dummy bar table 11 is lowered as shown in FIG. 2, the tip of the dummy bar table 11 is lowered to just above the slab 7. The thermoelectric power generation device 10 is arranged at a position where the dummy bar table 11 can be avoided. Specifically, when the position of the thermoelectric power generation device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is not in the descending region of the dummy bar table 11, power generation by the thermoelectric power generation device 10 is continued at the same position as shown in FIG.
On the other hand, when the position of the thermoelectric power generation device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is in the descending region of the dummy bar table 11, for example, when the distance between the roller group 6 and the descending region of the dummy bar table 11 is narrow, as shown in FIG. The slab 7 is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the descending region of the dummy bar table 11.

The thermoelectric power generation device 10 according to the first embodiment described above is preferably operated by the following procedure. That is, during power generation, the thermoelectric power generation device 10 is arranged above the transport roller 8 and below the dummy bar table 11 on the upstream side in the slab transport direction (position facing the slab). On the other hand, when the dummy bar table 11 is lowered, the end of the dummy bar table 11 is lowered to just above the slab 7. The thermoelectric power generation device 10 is arranged at a position where it can be avoided. In this case, it is preferable that the thermoelectric power generation device 10 is moved to a position on the downstream side in the slab transport direction that does not interfere with the descending region of the dummy bar table 11 by a moving means such as a carriage 10a. This is because the thermoelectric power generation device 10 hinders the visibility of the dummy bar when the dummy bar moving on the transport roller is stored in the dummy bar table 11.

Next, the above-mentioned thermoelectric power generation device 10 will be described in detail.
-Thermoelectric element The thermoelectric element (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as an "element") is not particularly limited, and any element having a thermoelectric power generation function can be used. A general thermoelectric element has a structure in which a set of p-type semiconductors and n-type semiconductors are combined. Examples of the thermoelectric element include BiTe type, PbTe type, Si-Ge type, silicide type, scutterdite type, transition metal oxide type, zinc antimony type, boron compound, clathrate compound, cluster solid, and zinc oxide type. , Carbon nanotubes and other materials can be used.

A thermoelectric element can convert heat into electricity by forming a temperature difference at both ends thereof. In the present invention, it is possible to form a temperature difference by directing one side (high temperature side) of the thermoelectric element toward the slab as a heat source and cooling the other side (low temperature side) of the thermoelectric element with, for example, a water cooling plate. preferable.

The method of mounting the thermoelectric element on the thermoelectric power generation device is not particularly limited, but as described below, a thermoelectric power generation module is composed of a plurality of thermoelectric elements, a thermoelectric power generation unit is formed of a plurality of thermoelectric power generation modules, and a plurality of thermoelectric generators are formed. It is preferable to have a structure in which a thermoelectric power generation device is configured by a power generation unit. An example thereof will be described below.

-Thermoelectric power generation module Since the electromotive force per thermoelectric element is not so large, generally several tens to several thousand thermoelectric elements are connected in series using electrodes. This one set of thermoelectric elements connected in series is called a thermoelectric power generation module. The thermoelectric elements constituting the thermoelectric power generation module (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "module") are arranged two-dimensionally (horizontally). Insulating substrates may be provided on one or both of the upper and lower sides of the arranged elements.

-Thermoelectric power generation unit Further, a plurality of thermoelectric power generation modules can be electrically connected to form a thermoelectric power generation unit (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as a "unit"). The electrical connection can be in series, in parallel, or a combination thereof. By grouping a plurality of modules into a unit in this way, electric power can be taken out in a unit unit, and wiring becomes easy.

The size of one thermoelectric power generation unit is preferably 1 m ² or less. This is because the amount of heat deformation of each thermoelectric power generation unit can be reduced by setting the area of the unit to 1 m ² or less. The area of the unit is more preferably 2.5 × 10 ^-1 m ² or less.

The thermoelectric elements in the thermoelectric power generation unit are arranged so that the low temperature side of all the thermoelectric elements faces the same surface of the unit. Here, the surface is defined as the low temperature side of the thermoelectric power generation unit. The low temperature side of the thermoelectric power generation unit is preferably in contact with the water cooling plate, and the low temperature side of the thermoelectric element is preferably cooled by the water cooling plate, but the cooling plate is not essential. When the cooling plate is provided, when the thermoelectric power generation device includes a plurality of thermoelectric power generation units, it is preferable to provide the water cooling plate for each unit. In that case, a cooling water supply pipe may be provided so that the cooling water can be supplied independently to each water cooling plate, and the cooling water supply pipe can be provided by connecting the water cooling plates in series or in parallel to supply the cooling water. May be provided. Further, the water cooling unit may be arranged so as to cover the low temperature side of the plurality of units with one water cooling plate.

(Heat receiving plate)
The thermoelectric power generator preferably further includes a heat receiving plate. The heat receiving plate is installed on the high temperature side of the thermoelectric element, that is, on the side facing the slab. Therefore, when a heat receiving plate is provided in addition to the water cooling plate, the thermoelectric power generation element is sandwiched between the water cooling plate installed on the low temperature side of the element and the heat receiving plate installed on the high temperature side of the element. .. When a plurality of thermoelectric power generation units are used, it is preferable to provide heat receiving plates on the high temperature side of all the thermoelectric power generation units. When the thermoelectric power generation device includes a plurality of thermoelectric power generation units, the heat receiving plates may be provided independently for each unit, or the plurality of units may be covered with one heat receiving plate.

The material of the heat receiving plate is preferably at least one selected from metal, ceramic, and carbon from the viewpoint of heat resistance and thermal conductivity. Examples of the metal include iron, steel, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy and the like. By providing such a heat receiving plate, receiving heat from a heat source by the heat receiving plate, and transferring the heat from the heat receiving plate to the thermoelectric power generation element, the efficiency of thermoelectric power generation can be improved.

When the heat receiving plate is provided, the ratio of the area of the thermoelectric element group in contact with the heat receiving plate to the area of the heat receiving plate is preferably 0.2 or more, and more preferably 0.3 or more. .. If the ratio is less than 0.2, the heat extracted by the thermoelectric power generation element becomes smaller than the heat input due to the radiant heat from the heat source, so that the temperature rises and exceeds the heat resistant temperature of the thermoelectric power generation device, and the thermoelectric power generation device This is because there is a risk of damage.
For example, when a thermoelectric power generation device is configured by using a thermoelectric power generation unit and a heat receiving plate provided on the high temperature side of the thermoelectric power generation unit, the thermoelectric generation provided in the thermoelectric power generation unit with respect to the area of the heat receiving plate. The ratio of the area of the power generation element group is preferably in the above range.

(Heat conduction sheet)
The thermoelectric power generation device of the present invention may further include a heat conductive sheet. Suitable installation positions of the heat conductive sheet include, for example, between the thermoelectric element and the water cooling plate, and between the thermoelectric element and the heat receiving plate. When the thermoelectric element is installed in the form of a thermoelectric power generation unit, it is preferable to install the thermoelectric element between the unit and the water cooling plate or between the unit and the heat receiving plate. By providing the heat conductive sheet in this way, the contact thermal resistance between the members can be reduced, and the thermoelectric power generation efficiency can be further improved. As the heat conductive sheet, for example, a graphite sheet or the like can be used.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a continuous casting facility 1 including a cutting machine 13 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the continuous casting facility 1 shown in FIG. 1, a cutting machine 13 is provided at a cutting position 9, and the slab 7 is cut by using the cutting machine 13. The cutting machine 13 is installed on a rail laid parallel to the transport direction of the slab 7, and can move along the transport direction of the slab. In the present embodiment, the cutting machine 13 is used as a thermoelectric power generation device by attaching the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b to the cutting machine 13. By using the cutting machine 13 that also serves as the thermoelectric power generation device, since the cutting machine 13 already has the moving means, the moving means as the thermoelectric power generation device is not required, which is advantageous in terms of equipment cost. The other configurations are the same as those of the continuous casting facility 1 of FIG.

Hereinafter, the cutting machine 13 that also serves as a thermoelectric power generation device will be described in detail.
[Cutting machine]
(Mobile device)
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a cutting machine 13 and a slab 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Rails 20 are laid on both ends of the slab 7 in the width direction in parallel with the transport direction of the slab 7, and the cutting machine 13 is installed on the rail 20.

The cutting machine 13 includes a moving device for traveling on the rail 20, and the moving device is specifically illustrated as a carriage 22 provided with wheels 21 for traveling on the rail 20. Has no drive (motor, etc.). Further, a clamp device (not shown) is installed on the lower surface of the carriage 22. When cutting the slab 7, the clamp device is operated to fix the relative position of the cutting machine 13 with respect to the slab 7. Then, the cutting machine 13 is cut while being synchronized with the slab 7, and when the cutting is completed, the fixing by the clamp device is released to end the synchronized movement of the cutting machine 13.

(Cutting device)
A cutting device 23 is mounted on the carriage 22, and the cutting device 23 includes at least one torch 24 for cutting the slab 7. As the torch 24, a gas torch or the like can be used. The cutting device 23 includes a torch driving means for moving the torch 24 in the width direction of the slab 7. The cutting device 23 may also include two or more torches 24. Reference numeral 25 denotes a water cooling plate shared for cooling the bottom surface of the carriage 22 and cooling the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b.

(Thermoelectric generator)
Further, at the end of the trolley 22, the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is installed in the moving direction of the trolley 22 when the trolley 22 travels on the rail 20, that is, in the direction extending along the rail 20, so that the slab 7 Heat can be converted into electrical energy. The configuration of the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. In the present embodiment, a flat plate-shaped thermoelectric power generation unit 10b in which thermoelectric elements are assembled is used, and the flat plate-shaped thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is attached to the trolley 12 in a direction extending in the moving direction of the trolley 22 along the rail 20. It is preferable to attach it. With such a form, the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b can be easily retrofitted to the existing cutting device 23 (trolley 22), for example, in a continuous casting line. Further, the size of the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b can be freely changed according to, for example, the amount of power generation required, the installable space, etc., without being restricted to fit within the bottom surface of the cutting device 23 (trolley 22). become.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is installed at the end of the trolley 22 opposite to the torch 24, but if the distance between the torch 24 and the trolley 22 is sufficient. It is also possible to install the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b at the end of the carriage 22 on the torch 24 side. Further, the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b can be installed at both end portions of the carriage 22.

Further, the means for fixing the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b to the end of the carriage 22 is not particularly limited. For example, an appropriate means can be adopted, such as attaching the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b to the trolley 22 via a hinge, connecting the auxiliary trolley to the trolley 12, and mounting the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b on the auxiliary trolley.

Further, the cutting machine 13 may further include a storage battery 26 capable of storing the electric power generated by the thermoelectric power generation device. The installation position of the storage battery 26 is not particularly limited, but for example, it can be installed on the carriage 22 as shown in FIG. As the storage battery 26, any storage battery 26 can be used as long as it can store the generated electric power. Examples of the storage battery 26 include a lead storage battery, a lithium ion secondary battery, a lithium ion polymer secondary battery, a nickel / hydrogen storage battery, a nickel / cadmium storage battery, and the like.

In the second embodiment described above, in the cutting machine 13 (thermoelectric power generation device 10), as shown in FIG. 6, the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is arranged above the transport roller 8 and below the dummy bar table 11 during power generation. (Confronting position with slab 7). At this time, the cutting machine 13 (thermoelectric power generation device 10) is arranged on the upstream side of the slab 7 in the transport direction as much as possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is arranged on the outlet side of the roller group 6 and the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b faces the portion on the higher temperature side of the slab 7.

Next, when the dummy bar table 11 is lowered as shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the dummy bar table 11 is lowered to just above the slab 7. The cutting machine 13 (thermoelectric power generation device 10) is arranged at a position and height at which the dummy bar table 11 can be avoided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the dummy bar table 11 is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the slab 7 while avoiding the descending region.

Here, it is preferable that the retracting position of the cutting machine 13 (thermoelectric power generation device 10) is such that the tip of the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is located on the upstream side of the slab transfer until the tip of the thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is close to the descending region of the dummy bar table 11 from the viewpoint of power generation efficiency. .. However, it is necessary to retract the carriage 22 to a position where the various devices attached to the carriage 22 of the cutting device 23 do not come into contact with the descending dummy bar table 11.

The thermoelectric power generation device 10 (cutting machine 13) in the second embodiment described above can also be operated as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 by the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a continuous casting facility 1 including a cutting machine 13 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment includes both the thermoelectric power generation device 10 according to the first embodiment and the cutting machine 13 according to the first embodiment.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the thermoelectric power generation device 10 arranges the thermoelectric power generation device 10 on the outlet side of the roller group 6 during power generation, and the cutting machine 13 that also serves as the thermoelectric power generation device is a slab of the thermoelectric power generation device 10. It is arranged on the brewing side in the transport direction, and any thermoelectric power generation unit 10b is made to face the slab 7.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when the dummy bar table 11 is lowered, the tip of the dummy bar table 11 is lowered to just above the slab 7. The thermoelectric power generation device 10 and the cutting machine 13 are arranged at positions where the dummy bar table 11 can be avoided. Specifically, when the position of the thermoelectric power generation device 10 shown in FIG. 7 is not in the descending region of the dummy bar table 11, the thermoelectric power generation device 10 generates power by the thermoelectric power generation device 10 at the same position as shown in FIG. continue.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the cutting machine 13 is arranged on the downstream side of the slab 7 in the transport direction with respect to the descending region of the dummy bar table 11. Here, for example, when the distance between the roller group 6 and the descent area of the dummy bar table 11 is narrow and the thermoelectric power generation device 10 is in the descent area, the thermoelectric power generation device 10 is also in the descent area of the dummy bar table 11 together with the cutting machine 13. On the other hand, the slab 7 is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction.

In the first and third embodiments described above, the number of thermoelectric power generation devices 10 is one, but a plurality of trolleys may be installed on the rails and a plurality of thermoelectric power generation devices 10 may be deployed. Further, in the third embodiment, the arrangement order of the thermoelectric power generation device 10 and the cutting machine 13 may be reversed, or the thermoelectric power generation device 10 may be newly arranged on the downstream side in the slab transport direction of the cutting machine 13.

Using the cutting machine 13 also serving as the thermoelectric power generation device shown in FIG. 4, thermoelectric power generation using a slab as a heat source in a continuous casting facility was carried out. As the thermoelectric power generation unit, a 300 mm square thermoelectric power generation unit having a (thermoelectric element group area in the thermoelectric power generation unit / heat receiving plate area of the thermoelectric power generation unit) of 0.32 was used. In the thermoelectric power generation unit, a water cooling plate was extended from the bottom surface of the carriage of the cutting machine 13 to the upstream side in the transport direction, and the thermoelectric power generation unit was installed on the extended lower surface of the water cooling plate. The arrangement of the thermoelectric power generation units was 8 rows in the width direction of the slab x 4 rows in the transport direction of the slab, for a total of 32 units.

In the dummy bar insertion type continuous casting machine line, casting using the dummy bar is started. Then, after the dummy bar was cut and reached the recovery position, as soon as the slab reached the cutting machine, the power generation of the thermoelectric power generation device was started. Then, cutting was performed while moving the cutting machine in synchronization with the slab to produce a continuous cast material.

When the above continuous casting was performed at a slab temperature of 1000 ° C., power could be continuously generated at 95% or more of the rated output during the continuous casting.
When a thermoelectric power generation unit having a (thermoelectric element group area in the thermoelectric power generation unit / heat receiving plate area of the thermoelectric power generation unit) of 0.32 is used instead of the thermoelectric power generation unit, the slab temperature is 800 ° C. When continuous casting was performed, it was possible to continuously generate power at 95% or more of the rated output during continuous casting.

In the example of Patent Document 3, after the dummy bar table reaches the collection position, there is a time lag until the thermoelectric power generation device moves above the slab, so that it takes 5 minutes to start power generation.

As described above, according to the present invention, the heat generated from the steel material can be effectively converted into electric power, which contributes to energy saving in the manufacturing factory.

1 Continuous casting equipment 2 Ladle 3 Tandish 4 Mold 5 Slab cooling device 6 Roller group 7 Slab 8 Conveying roller 9 Cutting position 10 Thermoelectric power generation device 10b Thermoelectric power generation unit 11 Dummy bar table 12 Dummy bar receiver 13 Cutting machine

Claims (4)

A thermoelectric power generation device provided with a thermoelectric power generation unit that converts the thermal energy of a slab into electrical energy in a continuous casting machine with a dummy bar inserted downward.
A thermoelectric generator located on the transport line where the thermoelectric power generation unit does not come into contact with the dummy bar table in the range of motion of the dummy bar table, which descends toward the transport line of the slab to collect the dummy bar. The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 1, further comprising a means for moving the thermoelectric power generation device in a direction along the transport line of the slab. In the thermoelectric power generation method using the thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 1 or 2, when the thermoelectric power generation unit receives heat from the slab to perform thermoelectric power generation, the thermoelectric power generation unit is moved to a position facing the slab. On the other hand, when the dummy bar is used, a thermoelectric power generation method in which the thermoelectric power generation unit is moved to a retracted position on the transport line that does not interfere with the dummy bar. When performing the thermoelectric power generation method according to claim 3, the movement to the confronting position with the slab or the evacuation position on the transport line that does not interfere with the dummy bar is performed in the sequence of the continuous casting machine of the dummy bar downward insertion type. A thermoelectric power generation method that captures and controls.

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