US3146288A - Apparatus for vacuum treatment of molten metal - Google Patents

Apparatus for vacuum treatment of molten metal Download PDF

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Publication number
US3146288A
US3146288A US80901A US8090161A US3146288A US 3146288 A US3146288 A US 3146288A US 80901 A US80901 A US 80901A US 8090161 A US8090161 A US 8090161A US 3146288 A US3146288 A US 3146288A
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Prior art keywords
ladle
conduit
metal
molten metal
vacuum
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Expired - Lifetime
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US80901A
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English (en)
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John B Gero
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Gero Metallurgical Corp
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Gero Metallurgical Corp
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Priority to US80901A priority Critical patent/US3146288A/en
Priority to BE648258D priority patent/BE648258A/xx
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21C—PROCESSING OF PIG-IRON, e.g. REFINING, MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT-IRON OR STEEL; TREATMENT IN MOLTEN STATE OF FERROUS ALLOYS
    • C21C7/00—Treating molten ferrous alloys, e.g. steel, not covered by groups C21C1/00 - C21C5/00
    • C21C7/10—Handling in a vacuum

Definitions

  • the invention is especially concerned with treatment of relatively large tonnages of carbon steel and other alloy steels in connection with which a suitable degassing vacuum may lie in a range of gauge readings of from 1,000 microns up to 2,000 microns.
  • degassing as herein employed throughout the specification, is intended to refer to removal of gases such as oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
  • Molten steel as produced by an electric furnace, open hearth, and other well-known processes, is characterized by the presence of gases such as oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. These gases tend to cause oxidized impurities and defects, as well as hydrogen embrittlement in the solidified metal produced.
  • gases such as oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen.
  • My novel concept may be embodied in any one 'of a number of arrangements of scaled enclosure bodies which are combined with a pouring ladle. These several arrangements all operate on a new degassing principle based on the use of a vacuum chamber which is closed at one side by a liquid sealing body. This liquid sealing body is produced and maintained by the continuous introduction of molten metal into a vacuum chamber while simultaneously removing degassed metal.
  • An important feature of the invention is a relatively large capacity vacuum treatment technique for carbon and other alloy steel wherein conventional pouring ladle equipment is combined with vacuum chamber and vacuum pouring equipment in a unique manner.
  • expensive vacuum casting equipment may be largely eliminated and replaced by a simplified system in which conventional pouring ladles may be advantageously utilized, with savings in labor and time being realized.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevational view of one form of apparatus of the invention illustrating a pouring ladle and a degassing 3,145,288 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 apparatus which includes a stationary vacuum pump and vacuum chamber;
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of another form of degassing apparatus somewhat similar to the apparatus of FIG. 1, but illustrating an arrangement in which a lowering ladle is used to collect degassed metal;
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of still another arrangement of degassing apparatus wherein a travelling vacuum chamber and vacuum pump is combined with a travelling pouring ladle;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating in further de tail the mobility feature of the structure shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a detail cross sectional view of part of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates one simplified form of degassing apparatus whereby degassed metal may be discharged into a pouring ladle.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates another arrangement in which degassed metal is collected in a ladle suspended from the carrying hooks of an overhead crane and conveyor.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a somewhat different arrangement by means of which degassed metal may be poured into moulds which are movable along a railway.
  • I provide a pouring ladle L1 which is of conventional nature being formed with a bottom outlet nozzle which is adapted to be closed by a stopper rod 4 controlled through an operating lever l and a linkage 2 of well-known character.
  • I construct the bottom of the ladle L1 with a special sealing flange 8 securely welded to provide an airtight circumferential joint.
  • a cylindrical enclosure body 10 which constitutes a vacuum chamber and which is designed with a matching flange 14 and a sealing ring 16.
  • 1 may also employ a watercooling element 15 to maintain the flange 14 in a cooled state when molten metal is in the ladle L1 during "the degassing cycle.
  • the vacuum chamber 10 is supported in some conventional manner as by means of a horizontal arm 54 secured to a frame 55, and furnished with an airtight sight port 12. Immediately below the sight port 12 and communicating with the vacuum chamber 10 is a vacuum manifold 18, a flexible connection 13, a valve 11, and a vacuum pump 11a.
  • Vacuum chamber 10 is fitted with a rigid bottom or partition 10a completely sealed around its outer circumferential edge.
  • a conical conduit 20 which is welded, or otherwise secured, in sealed relation to the partition in a position to receive molten metal from nozzle 6.
  • the conduit 20 is lined with a refractory material 22 and I may also desire to employ induction or resistant heating elements as 26.
  • the lower end of conduit 20 is preferably formed with an open restricted cylindrical section 24 which projects downwardly for a short distance below the partition 10a.
  • a receptacle 30 supported on suspension rods 56 attached to structural member 54, for example.
  • the receptacle 30 surrounds the lower end of the part 24 and is lined with refractory 32 and fitted with a bottom pour nozzle 38.
  • I also provide a stopper rod 34 and an operating lever and linkage 36.
  • a stopper rod 34 Directly below the receptacle 30 I fur-' ther locate some suitable means of containing degassed metal such as, for example, a ladle member L2 supported on a car 50, movable along a railway 52. 1
  • the filled ladle L1 is then transferred by the pit crane into a position such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the flanged portion 8 of the ladle L1 is registered with the flange portion 14 of the enclosure body 10. These matching flanges are then tightly secured together in sealed relationship.
  • the stopper head 4 is then raised by an operator standing on a platform in close proximity to the casting apparatus. As soon as the stopper head is raised by means of handle 1, and linkage 2, molten metal starts to flow through the nozzle 6 into the chamber 10 and also in conduit 20 which conducts metal into the receptacle 36. The receptacle 30 is closed by means of the stopper head 37 at this time. In a short period of a few seconds the molten metal rises to a level in the receptacle 30 which is above the lower end of the conduit member 24 and thus there is formed a liquid sealing body around this conduit member. The seal completely excludes the vacuum chamber 10 and the conduit 20 from atmospheric pressure. At this point the valve 11 is opened with the vacuum pump 11a operating, and within a few seconds all air is evacuated from the members 10 and 20.
  • the conical conduit 20 is formed with an enlarged opening at the top thereof which facilitates the operation of collecting disbursed metal as such metal falls from the ladle L1. Also, the exposed surface area of collected molten metal is maintained relatively large for the vacuum to act thereon after the metal has dropped through the vacuum chamber space. I find that a stream of metal leaving the nozzle 6 and entering the high vacuum chamber disintegrates violently in a manner corresponding to an explosion with particles being thrown outwardly to an angle of 90120 of arc.
  • the lower end 24, of the conduit 20 tends to induce a more rapid movement of molten metal through this part of the conduit and minimizes heat loss and the chance of freezing and also reduces the volume of metal which is present in the conduit 20, so that a lesser volume of metal is required to start the vacuum operation and, therefore, a smaller quantity of molten metal which has not been degassed, enters into the well 30.
  • FIG. 2 I illustrate another form of apparatus for carrying out the principle of employing a liquid sealing body to seal one side of a vacuum chamber, while molten metal is being continuously removed therefrom.
  • 56 denotes a structural member horizontally supported in a foundry wall section at some convenient point and adapted to support thereon a ladle L3.
  • the ladle L3 is positioned on the structural member by means of a ladle crane.
  • the ladle L3 is fitted with a nozzle 6', and an operating handle 1, and linkage 2' for raising and lowering a stopper rod 4.
  • a large diameter flange 8' At the bottom of the ladle L3 is provided a large diameter flange 8' and a vacuum tight sight port 12 is fitted into the ladle flange 8'.
  • a vacuum chamber 10' Immediately below ladle L3, in sealed relation therewith, is a vacuum chamber 10', the upper portion of which is fitted with a large diameter steel flange 14.
  • a sealing ring 16 is tightly secured between the flanges to provide an airtight joint.
  • the gasket flange may be water-cooled by a member 15'.
  • Communicating with the vacuum chamber 10' is a vacuum conduit 18' leading to a vacuum pump 11a and controlled by a valve 11.
  • the bottom of the vacuum chamber 10' is closed by means of a horizontal partition 10d which is sealed at its outer circumferential edge and which has vertically supported therein a conical conduit 20, the upper end of which is arranged to receive metal from the nozzle 6'.
  • the lower portion of the conical conduit 20' projects downwardly and terminates in a restricted lower extremity 24.
  • a refractory lining 22' is employed and may include heating units as 26'.
  • ladle member L4 Supported immediately below the restricted lower extremity 24 of the conduit 20, is another ladle member L4 which is closed by a stopper member and operating linkage of the class already described and which may, for example, be adjustably supported on crane hooks H.
  • the ladle L4 surrounds the conduit 20 in a position such that it may support a sealing body of molten metal B extending upwardly around the restricted end 24'.
  • molten metal M is tapped from a suitable source of supply into the ladle L3.
  • the ladle L3 is then transported by a conventional crane to the position shown in FIG. 2 where the ladle L3 is supported on the structural member 56 already described.
  • the vacuum chamber 10 and conical conduit 20, are then secured through the matching flange portions and thereafter the ladle L4 is positioned by means of a ladle crane immediately below the conical conduit 20'.
  • a refractory sleeve 60 may, if desired, be used to minimize the scatter of droplets from nozzle 6. This in turn prevents the particles of falling metal from eroding the refractory 22 and also prevents the solidification of metal droplets at the upper end of the refractory 22.
  • the disintegrated and degassed metal is collected by the conical conduit 20' and flows slowly downward filling ladle L4.
  • the position of the metal levels H1 and H2 in the ladle L4 and conical chamber 20', will change slowly as ladle L4 receives metal from ladle L3.
  • To compensate for this ladle L4 is lowered slowly by the ladle crane while supported on the hooks 58. Alloy additions may be made to the degassed metal in ladles L3 and L4.
  • ladle L4 When ladle L4 has become filled it may be transferred to a pouring platform and the molten metal discharged into ingot moulds.
  • both of the ladle members are open to atmospheric pressure and yet a flow of metal is vacuumized or degassed with one side of the vacuum chamber being sealed by a liquid sealing body from which metal is drawn for moulding purposes.
  • This form of moulding apparatus differs essentially from the apparatus of FIG. 1 in that an intermediate receptacle is not employed.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 I have illustrated still another form of apparatus in which a receptacle is employed, but unlike the arrangement of FIG. 1, the receptacle is formed as an integral part of the vacuum chamber structure.
  • I provide a bottom pour ladle L5 which is adapted to be suspended on crane hooks 80.
  • the ladle L5 is provided with a stopper member 4" operated through a linkage 2" which closes the opening through a discharge nozzle 6".
  • a flange 16 Attached to the flanged portion of the ladle through a matching flange section 14" is a vacuum chamber 10" which may be provided with a sight port 12" and heating member 15". Communicating with the vacuum chamber is a vacuum connection 18" having a flexible coupling 13" joined to a valve section V in turn connected to a vacuum pump 60". The valve 11" regulates the opening through which gas is removed by the vacuum pump 60".
  • the vacuum chamber 10 is formed with a receptacle or bottom section 90 separated from the upper section by means of a horizontal partition 82 through which is vertically supported a conical conduit 20' having a re stricted bottom end 24".
  • the bottom section and upper section of the vacuum chamber are joined together by mating flanges 28, 28 and a sealing member 28".
  • the conical conduit 20" and its bottom 24" may, if desired, be provided with a heating means 26.
  • the lower portion extends into the bottom section of the vacuum chamber, as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the receptacle or bottom section 90 is fitted with a removable stopper rod linkage 93, removable vacuum cover 85, bleeder valve 99, sight port 91, and sealing sleeve 95.
  • Nozzle 96 is sealed with fusible disc 97.
  • the vacuum pump evacuates the chamber 10 and metal released from the ladle 5 is degassed in this chamber and then passes through the conduit 20" and collects as a liquid sealing body B" around the bottom of the restricted tubular section 24" in the receptacle 90. After the degassed liquid seal is formed, air is bled into evacuated receptacle 90 through valve 99. Vacuum cover 85 is removed and stopper rod linkage 93 is connected. Metal is released through nozzle 96 by raising stopper rod 94. Fusible disc 97 is melted through the fully degassed metal and enters mold 98.
  • An important feature of this arrangement is means for moving the vacuum pump and tubular connecting means together with the ladle L5 and its attached vacuum chamber as a unit along a pouring platform so that molten metal may be released into moulds supported on a railway extending beside the pouring platform.
  • I provide for successive pourings into moulds 98, 100, 102 and 104 as suggested in FIG. 4. This is accomplished by suspending the hooks 80 from a travelling crane 106 which is arranged to move along rails 108 and 110. Also 6 mounted for travel along rails and 112 is a vacuum pump holder 114. By means of this arrangement the crane operator moves the pouring ladle into position over a mould 98 which is mounted on a car 116. At a desired point a workman stands on the platform 118 and operates the linkage 92.
  • An apparatus for vacuum treatment of molten metal comprising a ladle, a valve in the bottom portion of said ladle for regulating the rate of discharge of molten metal from said ladle, a housing including a side wall and a bottom wall, said side wall being in sealed association at its top portion with the discharge portion of said ladle and positioned to receive the flow of molten metal there from, means connected to the housing above its bottom wall for applying a vacuum to said housing, a conduit having a conical upper portion extending upwardly into said housing and in sealed association with the bottom wall thereof, the upper conical portion of said conduit positioned in alignment with the path of travel of the molten metal discharged from said ladle for conducting the molten metal from the vacuum housing whereby the metal discharged from said ladle is subjected to vacuum prior to entrance into said conduit, a receptacle open to atmospheric pressure enclosing the lower end of said conduit, said lower end of said conduit terminating at a point sufliciently below the top of said re
  • An apparatus for vacuum treatment of molten metal comprising a ladle, a valve in the bottom portion of said ladle for regulating the rate of discharge of molten metal from said ladle, a housing including a side wall having its upper marginal portion fixed to and in sealed association with the discharge portion of said ladle and positioned to receive the flow of metal therefrom, said housing having a bottom wall and an intermediate partition defining upper and lower sealed chambers, said lower chamber defining a receptacle, means connected to said upper chamber for applying a vacuum thereto, a conduit having a conical upper portion extending upwardly through said 'p artition into said upper chamber and in sealed association with said partition, the upper conical portion of said conduit being positioned in alignment with the path of molten metal discharged from said ladle for conducting the molten metal from the upper chamber, the lower end of said conduit terminating at a point spaced sufliciently below the top of the receptacle whereby the metal discharged through the conduit will accumulate in said recepta

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Steel In Its Molten State (AREA)
US80901A 1961-01-05 1961-01-05 Apparatus for vacuum treatment of molten metal Expired - Lifetime US3146288A (en)

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3333626A (en) * 1964-07-29 1967-08-01 Harold F Shekels Apparatus for teeming degassed molten metal
US3347538A (en) * 1965-04-28 1967-10-17 Mc Graw Edison Co Apparatus for the vacuum degassing of molten metal
US3368273A (en) * 1964-06-05 1968-02-13 Nicolai J. Maltsev Method and apparatus for continuously casting and rolling metal
US3408059A (en) * 1965-06-02 1968-10-29 United States Steel Corp Apparatus for stream degassing molten metal
US3479486A (en) * 1967-11-14 1969-11-18 Bethlehem Steel Corp Preheating and sealing device for a conduit connected to the vacuum chamber of a metal degassing apparatus
US3523785A (en) * 1968-05-20 1970-08-11 Gero Metallurg Corp Method for vacuum degassing and casting molten metal with electromagnetic control
US3591159A (en) * 1967-06-19 1971-07-06 Standard Messo Duisburg Apparatus for producing steel from pig iron in continuous process

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1458811C2 (de) * 1965-01-09 1971-06-03 Fried Krupp Hüttenwerke AG, 4630 Bochum Verfahren zur Herstellung von kohlen stoffarmen Stahlen

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1923119A (en) * 1931-08-03 1933-08-22 Seidel Edward Apparatus for pouring steel ingots
US2060135A (en) * 1932-04-29 1936-11-10 Scovill Manufacturing Co Metallurgical apparatus
US2734240A (en) * 1956-02-14 Vacuum pouring apparatus
US2825945A (en) * 1955-05-03 1958-03-11 Cons Electrodynamics Corp Apparatus for melting metal and successively casting into molds
GB801519A (en) * 1956-03-16 1958-09-17 Hoerder Huettenunion Ag Improvements relating to sealing means for vacuum vessels
US2970351A (en) * 1955-11-18 1961-02-07 Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp Apparatus for casting metal ingots
US3013316A (en) * 1958-12-31 1961-12-19 United States Steel Corp Method and apparatus for vacuum casting
US3019496A (en) * 1958-10-27 1962-02-06 Bethlehem Steel Corp Vacuum casting apparatus

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2734240A (en) * 1956-02-14 Vacuum pouring apparatus
US1923119A (en) * 1931-08-03 1933-08-22 Seidel Edward Apparatus for pouring steel ingots
US2060135A (en) * 1932-04-29 1936-11-10 Scovill Manufacturing Co Metallurgical apparatus
US2825945A (en) * 1955-05-03 1958-03-11 Cons Electrodynamics Corp Apparatus for melting metal and successively casting into molds
US2970351A (en) * 1955-11-18 1961-02-07 Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp Apparatus for casting metal ingots
GB801519A (en) * 1956-03-16 1958-09-17 Hoerder Huettenunion Ag Improvements relating to sealing means for vacuum vessels
US3019496A (en) * 1958-10-27 1962-02-06 Bethlehem Steel Corp Vacuum casting apparatus
US3013316A (en) * 1958-12-31 1961-12-19 United States Steel Corp Method and apparatus for vacuum casting

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3368273A (en) * 1964-06-05 1968-02-13 Nicolai J. Maltsev Method and apparatus for continuously casting and rolling metal
US3333626A (en) * 1964-07-29 1967-08-01 Harold F Shekels Apparatus for teeming degassed molten metal
US3347538A (en) * 1965-04-28 1967-10-17 Mc Graw Edison Co Apparatus for the vacuum degassing of molten metal
US3408059A (en) * 1965-06-02 1968-10-29 United States Steel Corp Apparatus for stream degassing molten metal
US3591159A (en) * 1967-06-19 1971-07-06 Standard Messo Duisburg Apparatus for producing steel from pig iron in continuous process
US3479486A (en) * 1967-11-14 1969-11-18 Bethlehem Steel Corp Preheating and sealing device for a conduit connected to the vacuum chamber of a metal degassing apparatus
US3523785A (en) * 1968-05-20 1970-08-11 Gero Metallurg Corp Method for vacuum degassing and casting molten metal with electromagnetic control

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