Systems and methods are disclosed for using magnetic fields (e.g., changing magnetic fields) to control metal flow conditions during casting (e.g., casting of an ingot, billet, or slab). The magnetic fields can be introduced using rotating permanent magnets or electromagnets. The magnetic fields can be used to induce movement of the molten metal in a desired direction, such as in a rotating pattern around the surface of the molten sump. The magnetic fields can be used to induce metal flow conditions in the molten sump to increase homogeneity in the molten sump and resultant ingot.

A casting nozzle for use in the casting of molten metal produces a stable flow pattern having an elongated section in the horizontal plane. The bore cross-sectional area contains, from entry to exit, at least two significant section area reductions to reduce turbulence, realign streamlines and affect flow distribution inside the nozzle. The bore cross-section has a local minimum value in a contraction section located between the entry section and an expansion section. Bore cross-sectional area decreases from the expansion section to the lower end of the nozzle. The two significant cross-sectional area reductions cooperate with other structures within the bore to stabilize flow.

A casting nozzle for use in the casting of molten metal produces a stable flow pattern having an elongated section in the horizontal plane. The bore cross-sectional area contains, from entry to exit, at least two significant section area reductions to reduce turbulence, realign streamlines and affect flow distribution inside the nozzle. The bore cross-section has a local minimum value in a contraction section located between the entry section and an expansion section. Bore cross-sectional area decreases from the expansion section to the lower end of the nozzle. The two significant cross-sectional area reductions cooperate with other structures within the bore to stabilize flow.

Systems and methods are disclosed for using magnetic fields (e.g., changing magnetic fields) to control metal flow conditions during casting (e.g., casting of an ingot, billet, or slab). The magnetic fields can be introduced using rotating permanent magnets or electromagnets. The magnetic fields can be used to induce movement of the molten metal in a desired direction, such as in a rotating pattern around the surface of the molten sump. The magnetic fields can be used to induce metal flow conditions in the molten sump to increase homogeneity in the molten sump and resultant ingot.

A casting nozzle for use in the casting of molten metal produces a stable flow pattern having an elongated section in the horizontal plane. The bore cross-sectional area contains, from entry to exit, at least two significant section area reductions to reduce turbulence, realign streamlines and affect flow distribution inside the nozzle. The bore cross-section has a local minimum value in a contraction section located between the entry section and an expansion section. Bore cross-sectional area decreases from the expansion section to the lower end of the nozzle. The two significant cross-sectional area reductions cooperate with other structures within the bore to stabilize flow.

A casting nozzle for use in the casting of molten metal produces a stable flow pattern having an elongated section in the horizontal plane. The bore cross-sectional area contains, from entry to exit, at least two significant section area reductions to reduce turbulence, realign streamlines and affect flow distribution inside the nozzle. The bore cross-section has a local minimum value in a contraction section located between the entry section and an expansion section. Bore cross-sectional area decreases from the expansion section to the lower end of the nozzle. The two significant cross-sectional area reductions cooperate with other structures within the bore to stabilize flow.

A collector nozzle for continuous casting may include: a nozzle body extended toward a shroud nozzle, and having an internal movement path through which molten steel is moved; a first case covering a side surface of the nozzle body; and a second case including a second metal component, connected to the first case, and covering an exit surface of the nozzle body facing the shroud nozzle. The first case can include a first metal component, and the first and second cases may be connected through welding or formed as one body.

A continuous casting facility used for thin slab casting has a mold for casting molten steel, an immersion nozzle that supplies the molten steel into the mold, and an electromagnetic stirring device capable of providing a swirl flow at a molten steel surface in the mold, and a thickness D.sub.Cu (mm) of a copper plate of a long side wall, a thickness T (mm) of a steel piece, a frequency f (Hz) of the electromagnetic stirring device, electric conductivity σ (S/m) of the molten steel, and electric conductivity σ.sub.Cu (S/m) of the copper plate of the long side wall are adjusted to satisfy the following formulae (1)-a and (1)-b:
D.sub.Cu<√(2/σ.sub.Cuωμ)  (1)-a
√(1/2σωμ)<T  (1)-b, where ω=2πf: angular velocity (rad/sec), and μ=4π×10.sup.−7: magnetic permeability in vacuum (N/A.sup.2).

Provided is a nozzle or a stopper having a gas blowing function, which is capable of preventing irregular breaking to be triggered by a gas outlet or a gas passage path communicated with the gas outlet, or, even in the event of breaking, preventing expansion of the breaking, and a combination of the nozzle and the stopper. The nozzle comprises: a fitting engagement region refractory material layer composed of a fitting engagement region refractory material; a nozzle body composed of a different refractory material from the fitting engagement region refractory material (main body refractory material); and a gas outlet provided in at least one boundary area between the fitting engagement region refractory material layer and the main body refractory material in a surface of the nozzle contactable with molten steel.

The present invention is related to a pouring tube assembly. The pouring tube assembly comprises a holding tank assembly capable of containing a molten metal. A pouring tube is in flow communication with the holding tank assembly wherein the pouring tube is capable of receiving the molten metal from the holding tank assembly and depositing molten metal in a mold above the pouring tube. A sleeve is removably disposed between the pouring tube and a portion of the holding casting wherein the sleeve comprises mating sleeve portions with symmetrically disposed protrusions and recesses.