In a sliding gate, a flow path vertical angle a between a flow path axial direction and a vertical downstream direction in a flow path hole in each plate is 5 or more and 75 or less, and a flow path axial direction projected on sliding surface in which the flow path axial direction is projected on a sliding surface differs between the plates and is changed clockwise or counterclockwise toward a downstream side. Then, molten metal forms a turning flow in the flow path hole of the sliding gate. Furthermore, the molten metal also forms a turning flow in a ladle shroud on the downstream side of the sliding gate.

In a sliding gate, a flow path vertical angle a between a flow path axial direction and a vertical downstream direction in a flow path hole in each plate is 5 or more and 75 or less, and a flow path axial direction projected on sliding surface in which the flow path axial direction is projected on a sliding surface differs between the plates and is changed clockwise or counterclockwise toward a downstream side. Then, molten metal forms a turning flow in the flow path hole of the sliding gate. Furthermore, the molten metal also forms a turning flow in a ladle shroud on the downstream side of the sliding gate.

A sliding nozzle apparatus includes a pair of sliding metal frame retaining sections provided on respective sides of opposed long edges of a fixed metal frame in an openable and closable manner. The sliding nozzle apparatus also includes: a pair of shafts each integrated with one of the retaining sections and each rotatably supported on a corresponding one of the sides of the opposed long edges of the metal frame; first and second link members provided, respectively, at one end of the shafts of the sliding metal frame retaining sections; and a link element coupling the first and second link members together, such that, when one of the retaining sections is manually opened or closed, the shaft of the other retaining section is reversely rotated to cause the other retaining section to be simultaneously opened or closed.

Provided is a casting sliding gate including a plurality of plates, and at least a portion of the plates includes carbon fibers and carbide and is capable of suppressing damage due to a thermal shock.

Provided is a casting sliding gate including a plurality of plates, and at least a portion of the plates includes carbon fibers and carbide and is capable of suppressing damage due to a thermal shock.

Slide closure unit on the spout of a metallurgical vessel, preferably a copper-anode furnace, includes a housing in which refractory closure plates, as well as at least one connecting refractory inner casing, are arranged. A removable induction heater is provided, having at least one induction coil surrounding the refractory inner casing outside of the housing. In this way, it is possible to constantly keep the melt located in the outlet channel of the spout sufficiently warm so that it does not freeze before and/or during the pouring of the melt, or that any frozen metal and/or slag can be melted in the spout.

Slide closure unit on the spout of a metallurgical vessel, preferably a copper-anode furnace, includes a housing in which refractory closure plates, as well as at least one connecting refractory inner casing, are arranged. A removable induction heater is provided, having at least one induction coil surrounding the refractory inner casing outside of the housing. In this way, it is possible to constantly keep the melt located in the outlet channel of the spout sufficiently warm so that it does not freeze before and/or during the pouring of the melt, or that any frozen metal and/or slag can be melted in the spout.

An opening-closing apparatus capable of, when using a robot arm to selectively open and close a component of a sliding nozzle device, reliably opening and closing the component to respective given positions. The apparatus comprises: a hand-like distal module engageable with an openable-closable component of a sliding nozzle device; a force sensor to detect a force received by the module; and a robot arm to which the module and the sensor are mounted. The robot arm is controllably operated to: move the module toward the component of the sliding nozzle device and engage the module with the component of the sliding nozzle device; then move the module to move the component, if the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a given threshold; and stop the movement of the module, when the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor reaches the threshold.

With a method for detecting variables in an outlet of a metallurgical vessel, different variables in the outlet are detected or measured by at least one coil surrounding the outlet channel and/or an induction coil of an induction heater as a monitoring system, wherein the variables relate to the slag portion when pouring out the metal melt, wear condition of refractory parts in the outlet channel, the solidified metal melt, flow rate and/or plugging mass in the outlet channel. After evaluation, a closure element for the outlet is actuated, heating of the metal in the outlet channel is activated and/or renewal of the outlet channel is triggered. In this way, optimum operation in the pouring of metal melt out of a vessel is simply achieved, wherein occurrence of irregularities are detected during the entire pouring, and pouring out of slag can be successfully prevented at the end of the pouring.

With a method for detecting variables in an outlet of a metallurgical vessel, different variables in the outlet are detected or measured by at least one coil surrounding the outlet channel and/or an induction coil of an induction heater as a monitoring system, wherein the variables relate to the slag portion when pouring out the metal melt, wear condition of refractory parts in the outlet channel, the solidified metal melt, flow rate and/or plugging mass in the outlet channel. After evaluation, a closure element for the outlet is actuated, heating of the metal in the outlet channel is activated and/or renewal of the outlet channel is triggered. In this way, optimum operation in the pouring of metal melt out of a vessel is simply achieved, wherein occurrence of irregularities are detected during the entire pouring, and pouring out of slag can be successfully prevented at the end of the pouring.