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 process for melting metal parts and casting the melt in at least one mould and a corresponding combined melting and casting furnace plant are described. In the process, metal parts to be melted are brought into a crucible furnace, and a molten metal is produced therein and made ready for casting. A riser tube integrated in a lid of the crucible furnace is heated in a position remote from the crucible furnace, and the lid with heated riser tube is brought into a position closing the crucible furnace, in which the riser tube projects into the molten metal. A mould is arranged on the lid in a casting position above the riser tube, and the molten metal is introduced into the mould from below by pressurising the melt in the crucible furnace. The combined melting and casting furnace plant is designed to carry out such a process.

A process for melting metal parts and casting the melt in at least one mould and a corresponding combined melting and casting furnace plant are described. In the process, metal parts to be melted are brought into a crucible furnace, and a molten metal is produced therein and made ready for casting. A riser tube integrated in a lid of the crucible furnace is heated in a position remote from the crucible furnace, and the lid with heated riser tube is brought into a position closing the crucible furnace, in which the riser tube projects into the molten metal. A mould is arranged on the lid in a casting position above the riser tube, and the molten metal is introduced into the mould from below by pressurising the melt in the crucible furnace. The combined melting and casting furnace plant is designed to carry out such a process.

A control method of a continuous casting process is a method that injects molten metal from a surface layer nozzle and an inner layer nozzle into a mold and separates the molten metal of a surface layer and the molten metal of an inner layer, the control method including, using a molten metal level meter that measures a surface layer level and a flowmeter that measures a supply flow rate of the molten metal, estimating a boundary layer level on the basis of a measured value of the surface layer level, a measured value of the supply flow rate of the molten metal, and a calculated value of the supply flow rate of the molten metal, and controlling the supply flow rate of the molten metal of the surface layer nozzle and the supply flow rate of the molten metal of the inner layer nozzle.

A control method of a continuous casting process is a method that injects molten metal from a surface layer nozzle and an inner layer nozzle into a mold and separates the molten metal of a surface layer and the molten metal of an inner layer, the control method including, using a molten metal level meter that measures a surface layer level and a flowmeter that measures a supply flow rate of the molten metal, estimating a boundary layer level on the basis of a measured value of the surface layer level, a measured value of the supply flow rate of the molten metal, and a calculated value of the supply flow rate of the molten metal, and controlling the supply flow rate of the molten metal of the surface layer nozzle and the supply flow rate of the molten metal of the inner layer nozzle.

The invention provides a casting equipment (1) for casting melt (15) into a cast product (80) comprising a supply reservoir (10) for supplying the melt (15), a distribution reservoir (20), a casting apparatus (25) having a melt inlet connected to the distribution reservoir (20) for producing the cast product (80), a supply conduit (30) fluidly connecting the supply reservoir (10) and the distribution reservoir (20), an electromagnetic pump (35) provided on the supply conduit (30) and operable to generate a force in the melt (15) in the supply conduit (30), a level sensor (40) for measuring a level of the melt (15) in the distribution reservoir (20) and/or in the supply reservoir (10), a controller operably connected to the pump (35) and the level sensor (40), wherein the supply conduit (30) is sealed or sealable from a pressure of the atmosphere, wherein the controller is configured to control an operation of the pump (35) based on a level signal from the level sensor (40), and wherein, at least during a steady-state casting operation, the casting equipment is configured such that the supply conduit (30) defines a flow path that has a point that is higher than a surface of the melt in the supply reservoir (10) and/or the distribution reservoir (20), and the pump (35) is operated such that the metal level in the distribution reservoir (20) is at a predefined level such as to control a pressure of the melt (15) in the melt inlet of the casting apparatus (25).

The invention provides a casting equipment (1) for casting melt (15) into a cast product (80) comprising a supply reservoir (10) for supplying the melt (15), a distribution reservoir (20), a casting apparatus (25) having a melt inlet connected to the distribution reservoir (20) for producing the cast product (80), a supply conduit (30) fluidly connecting the supply reservoir (10) and the distribution reservoir (20), an electromagnetic pump (35) provided on the supply conduit (30) and operable to generate a force in the melt (15) in the supply conduit (30), a level sensor (40) for measuring a level of the melt (15) in the distribution reservoir (20) and/or in the supply reservoir (10), a controller operably connected to the pump (35) and the level sensor (40), wherein the supply conduit (30) is sealed or sealable from a pressure of the atmosphere, wherein the controller is configured to control an operation of the pump (35) based on a level signal from the level sensor (40), and wherein, at least during a steady-state casting operation, the casting equipment is configured such that the supply conduit (30) defines a flow path that has a point that is higher than a surface of the melt in the supply reservoir (10) and/or the distribution reservoir (20), and the pump (35) is operated such that the metal level in the distribution reservoir (20) is at a predefined level such as to control a pressure of the melt (15) in the melt inlet of the casting apparatus (25).

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.

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.

Drive device for a stopper closure on a metallurgical vessel, including a housing arranged on the vessel in a removable manner, an adjustment system mounted in the housing so as to be height-displaceable and has a drive which can be coupled to the housing, and an upper connection element for a support arm carrying the fire-proof stopper. The adjustment system for the stopper is mounted so as to be height-displaceable on at least one bearing shaft fastened in the housing. This design of the adjustment system permits an increase in the stiffness of the drive device and hence of the fire-proof stopper suspended by the drive device on the support arm during pouring.