A slab continuous casting apparatus according to this invention is configured to supply molten metal from a tundish to a slab water-cooled mold through at least an upper nozzle, a stopper, and an immersion nozzle and solidify the molten metal, and is provided with an immersion nozzle quick replacement mechanism. The slab continuous casting apparatus includes a discharge direction change mechanism that is provided between the stopper and the immersion nozzle and is capable of freely changing a discharge angle of the molten metal in a horizontal cross-section during casting.

Various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein relate to nozzle assemblies for conveying molten material, the nozzle assemblies comprising a body, which may be formed from a material having a melting temperature greater than the melting temperature of the molten material to be conveyed, and having a molten material passageway extending therethrough. The molten material passageway comprises an interior surface and a protective layer is adjacent at least a portion of the interior surface of the passageway. The protective layer may comprise a material that is essentially non-reactive with the molten material to be conveyed. Further, the nozzle assemblies according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein may be heated, and may be self-inspecting. Methods and apparatus for conveying molten materials and/or atomizing molten materials using the nozzle assemblies disclosed herein are also provided.

A casting nozzle for guiding a melt from an outlet of a casting furnace into a casting box, the casting nozzle comprising a main body; a crown attached to the main body; a guiding channel through the main body and crown; a stub on the main body, which stub has a front side that is insertable into a casting furnace outlet and into which the guiding channel enters; a flange on the stub on a side opposite to the front side for applying onto the casting furnace; and a crown socket that is formed at the flange opposite to the stub for carrying the crown. The casting nozzle in combination with a casting furnace and a casting box.

A casting nozzle for guiding a melt from an outlet of a casting furnace into a casting box, the casting nozzle comprising a main body; a crown attached to the main body; a guiding channel through the main body and crown; a stub on the main body, which stub has a front side that is insertable into a casting furnace outlet and into which the guiding channel enters; a flange on the stub on a side opposite to the front side for applying onto the casting furnace; and a crown socket that is formed at the flange opposite to the stub for carrying the crown. The casting nozzle in combination with a casting furnace and a casting box.

With a view to adding, to an upper nozzle formed with a bore having a shape capable of creating a less energy loss or smooth (constant) molten steel flow to suppress the occurrence of adhesion of inclusions and metals in molten steel, a gas injection function to thereby further suppress the occurrence of the adhesion, the present invention provides a method of using an upper nozzle configured to have a cross-sectional shape of a wall surface defining the bore, taken along an axis of the bore, comprising a curve represented by the following formula: log(r (z))=(1/n)×log((H+L)/(H+z))+log(r (L)) (n=1.5 to 6), where: L is a length of the upper nozzle; H is a calculational hydrostatic head height; and r (z) is an inner radius of the bore at a position downwardly away from an upper edge of the bore by a distance z. The method comprises using the upper nozzle in such a manner as to satisfy the following relationship: R.sub.G≦4.3×V.sub.L, where R.sub.G is a gas rate defined as a volume ratio of a flow rate Q.sub.G (Nl/s) of injection gas to a flow rate Q.sub.L (l/s) of molten steel flowing through the bore (R.sub.G=(Q.sub.G/Q.sub.L)×100(%)), and V.sub.L is a flow speed of the molten steel at a lower edge of the upper nozzle.

With a view to adding, to an upper nozzle formed with a bore having a shape capable of creating a less energy loss or smooth (constant) molten steel flow to suppress the occurrence of adhesion of inclusions and metals in molten steel, a gas injection function to thereby further suppress the occurrence of the adhesion, the present invention provides a method of using an upper nozzle configured to have a cross-sectional shape of a wall surface defining the bore, taken along an axis of the bore, comprising a curve represented by the following formula: log(r (z))=(1/n)×log((H+L)/(H+z))+log(r (L)) (n=1.5 to 6), where: L is a length of the upper nozzle; H is a calculational hydrostatic head height; and r (z) is an inner radius of the bore at a position downwardly away from an upper edge of the bore by a distance z. The method comprises using the upper nozzle in such a manner as to satisfy the following relationship: R.sub.G≦4.3×V.sub.L, where R.sub.G is a gas rate defined as a volume ratio of a flow rate Q.sub.G (Nl/s) of injection gas to a flow rate Q.sub.L (l/s) of molten steel flowing through the bore (R.sub.G=(Q.sub.G/Q.sub.L)×100(%)), and V.sub.L is a flow speed of the molten steel at a lower edge of the upper nozzle.

The invention relates to a refractory submerged entry nozzle (also called SEN or casting nozzle) especially but not limited for use in a continuous casting process for producing steel.

The invention relates to a refractory submerged entry nozzle (also called SEN or casting nozzle) especially but not limited for use in a continuous casting process for producing steel.

A tube exchange device for holding and replacing refractory nozzle comprises a frame with a casting opening. The frame is configured to be fixed to the lower side of a metal casting vessel. The frame is has an upper portion and a lower portion joining at a middle section plane in which an inner nozzle and an exchangeable pouring nozzle form a sliding contact. The lower portion of the frame contains a displacing element and a guiding element disposed for displacing and guiding the nozzle from a standby position to a casting position, and a pressing element pressing the nozzle at the casting position towards the upper portion of the frame. In a combination of the tube exchange device and a nozzle, the nozzle comprises bearing elements mating with the clamping elements of the tube exchange device.

A tube exchange device for holding and replacing refractory nozzle comprises a frame with a casting opening. The frame is configured to be fixed to the lower side of a metal casting vessel. The frame is has an upper portion and a lower portion joining at a middle section plane in which an inner nozzle and an exchangeable pouring nozzle form a sliding contact. The lower portion of the frame contains a displacing element and a guiding element disposed for displacing and guiding the nozzle from a standby position to a casting position, and a pressing element pressing the nozzle at the casting position towards the upper portion of the frame. In a combination of the tube exchange device and a nozzle, the nozzle comprises bearing elements mating with the clamping elements of the tube exchange device.