US3777041A - Electroslag refining apparatus - Google Patents

Electroslag refining apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3777041A
US3777041A US00343879A US3777041DA US3777041A US 3777041 A US3777041 A US 3777041A US 00343879 A US00343879 A US 00343879A US 3777041D A US3777041D A US 3777041DA US 3777041 A US3777041 A US 3777041A
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Prior art keywords
mould
electrode
corrugated
gaseous media
flow
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00343879A
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English (en)
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R Hawkins
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British Iron and Steel Research Association BISRA
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British Iron and Steel Research Association BISRA
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B9/00—General processes of refining or remelting of metals; Apparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals
    • C22B9/16—Remelting metals
    • C22B9/18—Electroslag remelting

Definitions

  • Electroslag refining apparatus comprises a mould havssoclahon on ng an 'ing an upper open-end into which the lower end of an [22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1973 electrode depends and ducting to convey inert or re- I active gaseous media to and from the mould.
  • a device [211 App! 343379 operable to.
  • the flew restricting device includes a tubular, longitudinally- 52 us. Cl. 13/17, 277/12 Corrugated flexible member of heat-resistant material 51 im. Cl.
  • H05b 7/120 which emompahees the electrode and which is SO P
  • the arrangement is such that variations 1.SO8,486 9/1924 Tharaldsen 13 17'ux in elemode dimension and alignment relative to the 3:12: 5: mould are accommodated by flexing of the corrugated tubular member.
  • E LIJCTRGSLAG REFINING APPARATUS This invention relates to electroslag' refining apparatus and'more especially to electroslag refining apparatus including means for restricting the flow of gas from a mould into which an electrode depends.
  • an electrically conductive slag within a mould is maintained in a mo]- ten state and at a temperature at or above the melting point of the metal to be refined.
  • Unrefined metal is introduced into the mould and is refined as it passes in droplet form through a bath of the molten slag, refined droplets collecting to form a pool beneath the slag bath.
  • the mould walls and baseplate are cooled by the circulation of a coolant, normally water, and a solidified ingot is built up beneath the molten metal pool.
  • the metal to be refined may be introduced to the mould in the form of a consumable electrode which extends into the open-end of the mould, and the slag may be maintained molten by passage of an electric current from the electrode to the base plate of the mould.
  • melting should be conducted in a controlled atmosphere, especially an oxygen-free atmosphere.
  • oxygen-free atmospheres have been achieved by evacuating the upper portion of the mould.
  • sealing of the evacuated space has been found to be difficult and expensive.
  • electroslag refining apparatus comprises a mould having an upper open-end into which the lower end of an electrode depends, means operable to convey gaseous media in communication with the mould, means for restricting the flow of gaseous media mounted on but insulated from the upper end of the mould, and means for effecting relative movement between the electrode and the flow restricting means, said flow restricting means including a tubular, longitudinal]y-corrugated flexible member of heat-resistant material which encompasses the electrode, the corrugated tubular member beingso positioned and dimensioned that the apicesof the corrugations make contact with the surface of the electrode over at least part of their lengths to define with the electrode surface discrete passages which inhibit the flow of air from the atmosphere to the upper portion of the mould and the arrangement being such that variations in electrode dimension and alignment relative to the mould are accommodated by flexing of the corrugated tubular member.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of electroslag refining apparatus embodying the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flow restricting device illustrated in FIG. ll;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along lines IIIIII of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a detail of an alternative flow restricting device to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, and
  • FIG. 5 is a planview from above of further electroslag refining apparatus embodying the invention.
  • the apparatus illustrated in FIG. I includes an openended mould I mounted on but insulated from a cooled base plate 2. Ports 3, 4 are formed in the side wall of the mould l and communicate with ducting 5 intended to convey a gaseous medium, e.g. argon from a source 10, to and from the mould.
  • a consumable electrode 6 of, for example, steel depends into the upper open-end of the mould 1 and a tubular flexible flow restricting hood member 7 is seated on the upper rim of the mould.
  • the hood 7 is electrically insulated from the mould l and a seal 8 is positioned between the cooperating surfaces of the hood 7 and the mould l.
  • a lower ring-shaped member 9 (preferably of copper or steel) which seats upon the upper rim of the mould l and a longitudinally-corrugated tubular member 11 constructed of a material which can withstand the heat generated during operation of the apparatus and which will not contaminate the slag employed or ingot produced; the material may be, for example, metal such as copper or spring steel, plastics or ceramic material.
  • the member 11 is secured by, for example, welding or clamping at its flared lower end to the member 9.
  • the upper open-end of the member 11 is also flared to assist entry of the lower end of electrode 6 into the member 11. In its unflexed'configuration, the internal diameter of the member 11 is less than the diameter of the electrode 6.
  • the apices of the longitudinal corrugations of the tubular member 11 bear against the adjacent surface of the electrode 6 to define discrete passages which place the upper portion of the mould in communication with the atmosphere.
  • the dimensions of the corrugations are such as to inhibit the flow of air from the atmosphere to the upper portion of the mould and to accommodate foreseeable variations in electrode diameter and misalignment of the electrode 6 relative to the mould l.
  • the corrugations may either extend vertically or may be inclined to the vertical.
  • One or more helical springs may be positioned about the outer surface of the corrugated member lll to urge the apices of the corrugations into contact with the surface of the electrode 6. Two such springs are indicated in broken line in FIG. 2 by reference numeral 12.
  • the electrode 6 is supported by a carriage 13 which is movable vertically along a mast 14 by means of a motor 15.
  • the electrode'lfi and base plate 2 are connected into the secondary circuit of a transformer 16, the primary circuit of which is connected to a source of electrical current.
  • an inert gas e.g. argon or nitrogen, is conveyed to and from the mould space above the slag 18 through ducting 5 and ports 3, 4.
  • the inert gas supplied via ducting may be replaced by a reactive gas.
  • a sulphur-containing gas may be supplied to control the sulphur level of the formed ingot 20.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative construction in which the ports 3, 4 of FIGS. 1 to 3 for conveying gaseous media to and from the mould are replaced by passages 21 formed in a flange member 22.v
  • the lower end of the corrugated member 11 is urged against an upwardly standing flange 23 by means of a clamp 24.
  • FIG. 5 there is illustrated an arrangement in which three consumable electrodes 6a, 6b, 6c of rectangular cross-section are refined simultaneously in a mould which is also rectangular in cross-section.
  • the electrodes 6a, 6b, 6c are positioned in line along the longitudinal axis of the mould 1.
  • each electrode is encompassed by a flexible longitudinally-corrugated hood member 7a, 7b, 7c, the apices of which bear against the adjacent surface of the respective electrodes.
  • the corners of each electrode are rounded and the corrugations are small compared with the radius of curvature of the rounded corners.
  • the electrodes 6 extend through apertures formed in a plate 25 mounted on, but insulated from, the upper open-end-of the mould l and the hood members seat upon the plate 25.
  • the electrodes may be connected one to each phase of a three-phase source of electricity.
  • EXAMPLE A consumable electrode of mean diameter 127 mm was supported with its lower end depending into a mould of internal diameter 200 mm.
  • the composition of the electrode was C 0.39; S 0.034; Si 0.20; Mn 0.80; Al 0.016; Ti 0.005; 0 32 30 parts per million.
  • a corrugated tubular copper hood member of diameter 120 mm in its unflexed mode was employed.
  • the height of the member was approximately 70 mm and the length of each discrete passage defined between the opposed suffaces of the member and the electrode was approximately 50 mm, each passage being of approximately 3.5 mm in cross-sectional area.
  • a slag of composition Ca F was employed.
  • Argon was supplied to the mould space above the slag bath at a flow rate of 10 litres per minute which was sufficient to give the minimum oxygen pressure as measured by an oxygen meter and this flow was maintained during remelting.
  • composition of the ingot was as follows: at the top of the ingot C 0.38; S 0.019; Si 0.18; Mn 0.74: A] 0.005; Ti 0.005; O l8, 17 parts per million.
  • corrugated flow restricting members in accordance with the invention may be employed with vessels into which electrodes of alternative cross-section, for example square or elliptical, depend, the flow restricting member being so shaped that the apices of the corrugations bear against the opposed surface of the electrode.
  • Electroslag refining apparatus comprising a mould having an upper open-end into which the lower end of at least one electrode depends, means operable to convey gaseous media in communication with the mould, means for restricting the flow of gaseous media mounted on but insulated from the upper end of the mould, and means for effecting relative movement between the electrode and the flow restricting means, said flow restricting means including a tubular, longitudinally-corrugated flexible member of heat resistant material which encompasses the electrode, the corrugated tubular member being so positioned and dimensioned that the apices of the corrugations make contact with the surface of the electrode over at least part of their lengths to define with the electrode surface discrete passages which inhibit the flow of air from the atmosphere to the upper portion of the mould and the 1 arrangement being such that variations in electrode dimension and alignment relative to the mould are accommodated by flexing of the corrugated tubular member.
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means operable to convey gaseous media comprises a conduit which places the upper portion of the mould in communication with a source of inert gas.
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means operable to convey gaseous media comprises a conduit which places the upper portion of the mould in communication with a source of gas which reacts with the material to be refined.
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided to urge the apices of the corrugations into contact with the surface of the electrode.
  • said means comprises at least one helical spring which encompasses the corrugated tubular member.
  • Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a multiplicity of electrodes depend simultaneously into the least one electrode is circular in cross-section.
  • each of said electrodes is rectangular in cross-section.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
  • Vertical, Hearth, Or Arc Furnaces (AREA)
  • Furnace Details (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Steel In Its Molten State (AREA)
US00343879A 1972-03-24 1973-03-22 Electroslag refining apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3777041A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1388572A GB1374149A (en) 1972-03-24 1972-03-24 Electroslag refining apparatus

Publications (1)

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US3777041A true US3777041A (en) 1973-12-04

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Country Status (6)

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US (1) US3777041A (es)
JP (1) JPS497103A (es)
AT (1) AT332008B (es)
FR (1) FR2177898B1 (es)
GB (1) GB1374149A (es)
SE (1) SE381285B (es)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1981002339A1 (en) * 1980-02-07 1981-08-20 Wooding Corp Atmosphere controlled electric melting
EP0249050A1 (de) * 1986-06-07 1987-12-16 Leybold Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren zum Elektroschlackeumschmelzen von Metallen, insbesondere von solchen mit sauerstoffaffinen Legierungsbestandteilen
EP0378764A1 (de) * 1989-01-18 1990-07-25 Leybold Aktiengesellschaft Elektroschlacke-Umschmelzanlage mit einer Kokille und einer Haube
DE10128168C1 (de) * 2001-06-09 2002-10-24 Ald Vacuum Techn Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen von Metallblöcken nach dem Elektroschlacke-Umschmelzverfahren
CN105950881A (zh) * 2016-06-13 2016-09-21 重庆钢铁(集团)有限责任公司 一种电渣重熔冶炼方法
CN110564974A (zh) * 2019-08-27 2019-12-13 仇凯 电渣重熔炉

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1525462A (en) * 1974-11-04 1978-09-20 British Steel Corp Electroslag refining
JPS5274409A (en) * 1975-12-17 1977-06-22 Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd Method of and circuit for automatic continuous detection of different pattern on printing plank
AT360062B (de) * 1976-04-29 1980-12-29 Ver Edelstahlwerke Ag Verfahren zur herstellung wasserstoff- und schwefelarmer stahlbloecke nach dem elektro- schlacke-umschmelzverfahren sowie einrichtung zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens
FR2422464A1 (fr) * 1978-04-13 1979-11-09 Inst Elektroswarki Patona Lingotiere pour la refusion de metaux sous laitier electroconducteur
JPS58159059U (ja) * 1982-04-20 1983-10-24 凸版印刷株式会社 照合装置
US4919712A (en) * 1989-05-15 1990-04-24 Consarc Corporation Method and apparatus for adjusting electrode isotherms within electro-slag remelting

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1508486A (en) * 1922-09-06 1924-09-16 Tharaldsen Filip Device for introduction of the electrodes in electric furnaces
US3697660A (en) * 1970-03-16 1972-10-10 Jury Fedorovich Frolov Device for sealing gap between electrode and lining of electric arc furnace
US3709506A (en) * 1970-11-12 1973-01-09 Quebec Iron & Titanium Corp Furnace electrode seal

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1508486A (en) * 1922-09-06 1924-09-16 Tharaldsen Filip Device for introduction of the electrodes in electric furnaces
US3697660A (en) * 1970-03-16 1972-10-10 Jury Fedorovich Frolov Device for sealing gap between electrode and lining of electric arc furnace
US3709506A (en) * 1970-11-12 1973-01-09 Quebec Iron & Titanium Corp Furnace electrode seal

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4389724A (en) * 1977-03-01 1983-06-21 Wooding Corporation Atmosphere controlled electric melting
WO1981002339A1 (en) * 1980-02-07 1981-08-20 Wooding Corp Atmosphere controlled electric melting
AT390246B (de) * 1980-02-07 1990-04-10 Wooding Corp Verfahren zum elektrischen schmelzen von nichtmetallischem material und elektrischer schmelzofen
EP0249050A1 (de) * 1986-06-07 1987-12-16 Leybold Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren zum Elektroschlackeumschmelzen von Metallen, insbesondere von solchen mit sauerstoffaffinen Legierungsbestandteilen
EP0378764A1 (de) * 1989-01-18 1990-07-25 Leybold Aktiengesellschaft Elektroschlacke-Umschmelzanlage mit einer Kokille und einer Haube
DE10128168C1 (de) * 2001-06-09 2002-10-24 Ald Vacuum Techn Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen von Metallblöcken nach dem Elektroschlacke-Umschmelzverfahren
CN105950881A (zh) * 2016-06-13 2016-09-21 重庆钢铁(集团)有限责任公司 一种电渣重熔冶炼方法
CN110564974A (zh) * 2019-08-27 2019-12-13 仇凯 电渣重熔炉

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1374149A (en) 1974-11-13
FR2177898B1 (es) 1976-09-10
ATA259573A (de) 1975-12-15
DE2314206B2 (de) 1976-01-15
AT332008B (de) 1976-09-10
FR2177898A1 (es) 1973-11-09
DE2314206A1 (de) 1973-10-04
SE381285B (sv) 1975-12-01
JPS497103A (es) 1974-01-22

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