Spray apparatus and method for cooling a metal strand in a continuous casting machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a spray apparatus for cooling a metal strand in a continuous casting machine, wherein at least one multiple-nozzle head and at least one switching valve are provided, wherein the multiple-nozzle head has at least a first and a second nozzle, wherein the switching valve is arranged upstream of the multiple-nozzle head, and wherein the switching valve is flow-connected to all the second nozzles in the multiple-nozzle head, in order to enable or to shut off a supply of spray liquid to all the second nozzles.

Claims

1. Spray apparatus for cooling a metal strand in a continuous casting machine, characterized in that at least one multiple-nozzle head and at least one switching valve are provided, wherein each multiple-nozzle head has at least a first and a second nozzle, wherein the at least one switching valve is arranged upstream of the multiple-nozzle head, and wherein the switching valve is flow-connected to all the second nozzles in the multiple-nozzle head, in order to enable or to shut off a supply of spray liquid to all the second nozzles.

2. Spray apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of multiple-nozzle heads are provided, wherein the multiple-nozzle heads are spaced apart from one another in three dimensions.

3. Spray apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each multiple-nozzle head has n nozzles, wherein all the second nozzles and possibly all the third, fourth to nth nozzles are each flow-connected to a switching valve, in order to enable or to shut off a supply of spray liquid to all the second nozzles and possibly to all the third, fourth and/or nth nozzles, where n is a natural number and has a value between 2 and 10.

4. Spray apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that at least a first and a second switching valve are provided, wherein the first switching valve is flow-connected to all the first nozzles in the multiple-nozzle heads, in order to enable or to shut off a supply of spray liquid to all the first nozzles, and wherein the second switching valve is flow-connected to all the second nozzles in the multiple-nozzle heads, in order to enable or to shut off a supply of spray liquid to all the second nozzles.

5. Spray apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a first pipeline and a second pipeline are provided for supplying spray liquid, wherein the first pipeline is connected to all the first nozzles and the second pipeline is connected to all the second nozzles.

6. Spray apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that n pipelines are provided, wherein the first pipeline is connected to all the first nozzles, the second pipeline is connected to all the second nozzles and possibly the third, fourth to nth pipeline is connected to all the third, fourth and/or nth nozzles, where n is a natural number and has a value between 2 and 10.

7. Spray apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, upstream of the multiple-nozzle heads, a respective switching valve is provided on the second pipeline and possibly on the third, fourth to nth pipeline, where n is a natural number and has a value between 2 and 10.

8. Spray apparatus according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that, upstream of the multiple-nozzle heads, a switching valve is provided on the first pipeline.

9. Spray apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzles of at least one multiple-nozzle head differ to the extent where, at a predefined pressure of the spray liquid, they each discharge a different quantity of spray liquid.

10. Spray apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzles of a multiple-nozzle head are coordinated with one another in respect of the spray-liquid quantity discharged such that the first nozzle, within a predefined pressure range between a low pressure and a high pressure of the spray liquid, discharges a spray-liquid quantity within a first quantity range, and that a second quantity range made up of the sum of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by the first nozzle and the second nozzle between the low pressure and the high pressure overlaps the first quantity range.

11. Spray apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that each multiple-nozzle head has n nozzles, wherein possibly the first to third nozzle, the first to fourth nozzle and/or the first to nth nozzle, within a predefined pressure range between a low pressure and a high pressure of the spray liquid, discharge a spray-liquid quantity within a third, fourth and/or nth quantity range, and that the quantity ranges overlap, where n is a natural number and has a value between 2 and 10.

12. Spray apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multiple-nozzle heads are spaced apart from one another in three dimensions along the pipelines.

13. Spray apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipelines run parallel to a casting direction of the continuous casting machine and the multiple-nozzle heads are arranged along the pipelines, one behind the other in the casting direction.

14. Spray apparatus according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the pipelines are arranged transversely to a casting direction of the continuous casting machine and the multiple-nozzle heads are arranged along the pipelines, one behind the other transversely to the casting direction.

15. Spray apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching valves are designed in the form of compressed-air valves, and in that each switching valve is assigned a solenoid valve for enabling or shutting off a supply of compressed air to a respective switching valve.

16. Spray apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that a plurality of solenoid valves are combined in a solenoid-valve island, wherein the solenoid-valve island has a joint base and a joint electronic control means for the solenoid valves.

17. Spray apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the pipelines is designed in the form of a profile with at least one hollow chamber which is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the profile.

18. Spray apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that a plurality of pipelines are formed by means of a profile with a plurality of hollow chambers which are continuous in the longitudinal direction.

19. Spray apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that a plurality of profiles are connected to form a support.

20. Spray apparatus according to at least one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the multiple-nozzle heads are arranged on the profile or on the support having a plurality of profiles.

21. Method for cooling a metal strand in a continuous casting machine by means of a spray apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, having the following steps: enabling a supply of spray liquid, and/or switching off a supply of spray liquid, to all the second nozzles and/or all the nth nozzles of the multiple-nozzle heads in dependence on a spray-liquid quantity required, wherein the operation of enabling and/or switching off the supply of spray liquid is carried out exclusively when the spray-liquid quantity required is altered.

22. Method according to claim 21, characterized by enabling a supply of spray liquid, or switching off a supply of spray liquid, to all the first nozzles of the multiple-nozzle heads in dependence on a spray-liquid quantity required, wherein the operation of enabling and/or switching off the supply of spray liquid is carried out exclusively when the spray-liquid quantity required is altered.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Further features and advantages of the invention can be gathered from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawings. Individual features of the different embodiments of the invention which are shown in the drawings, and described in the description, can be combined with one another in any desired manner here without departing from the framework of the invention. This also applies to a combination of individual features without any further features with which the individual features are described, or shown, together. In the drawings:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of a spray apparatus according to the invention,

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a multiple-nozzle unit with a multiple-nozzle head of the spray apparatus from FIG. 1,

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a diagram for the purpose of explaining the range of spray-liquid quantity discharged which can be covered by the spray apparatus from FIG. 1,

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a profile for forming a plurality of pipelines in the case of the spray apparatus according to the invention, and

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a spray apparatus according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The illustration of FIG. 1 shows a spray apparatus 10 according to the invention which is provided in order to be arranged in a continuous casting machine in which a metal strand is generated. A casting direction of the metal strand is illustrated by an arrow 12. The casting direction 12 corresponds to the advancement direction of the metal strand. For example, the metal strand is cast from liquid steel and then transported onwards, in the direction of the arrow 12, between supporting rollers. The spray apparatus according to the invention, then, is arranged above the metal strand, and a further spray apparatus 10 according to the invention can be arranged beneath the metal strand, in order for it to be possible for the latter to be cooled from the upper side and the underside. A plurality of spray apparatuses 10 according to the invention can be arranged one beside the other, in order for it also to be possible to cool, for example, very wide metal strands over the entire surface area thereof.

[0045] The spray apparatus 10 according to the invention has a nozzle support 14, which extends parallel to the casting direction 12. A plurality of multiple-nozzle units 16, which will be explained in more detail in FIG. 2, are arranged on said nozzle support 14. In the case of the embodiment illustrated, a total of five multiple-nozzle units 16 are arranged on the nozzle support 14. Essentially any desired number of multiple-nozzle units 16 are arranged on the nozzle support, and they are arranged on the nozzle support 14 in essentially any desired manner. In the case of the embodiment illustrated, three multiple-nozzle units 16 are arranged on the right-hand side of the nozzle support 14 and two multiple-nozzle units 16 are arranged on the left-hand side of the nozzle support 14. This arrangement is provided merely by way of example and can be selected essentially as desired. It is possible for the multiple-nozzle units 16 to be connected permanently to the support 14 or to be connected in a releasable manner to the support 14.

[0046] The nozzle support 14 is arranged in a continuous casting machine, above the supporting rollers for the metal strand. The multiple-nozzle units 16 then extend away downward from the nozzle support 14, that is to say into the drawing plane of FIG. 1, and therefore the spray nozzles can then be arranged, for example, between the supporting rollers for the metal strand.

[0047] The nozzle support 14 contains within it a first pipeline 18a, a second pipeline 20a and a third pipeline 22a, the pipelines running parallel to one another and parallel to the nozzle support 14. The first pipeline 18a is illustrated by means of a solid line, the second pipeline 20a is illustrated by means of a dashed line and the third pipeline 22a is illustrated by means of a chain-dotted line. This serves merely for illustrative purposes and for distinguishing between the three pipelines 18a, 20a, 22a.

[0048] Each multiple-nozzle unit 16 has three spray nozzles, each activated by separate nozzle water pipes. In order for it to be possible to show this in the schematic illustration of FIG. 1, three nozzle water pipes 18b, 20b and 22b have been illustrated in each multiple-nozzle unit 16. The nozzle water pipes 18b of all the multiple-nozzle units 16 are connected to the pipeline 18a via short branch lines. The nozzle water pipes 20b of all the multiple-nozzle units 16 are connected to the second pipeline 20a via short branch lines, and the nozzle water pipes 22b of all the multiple-nozzle units 16 are connected to the third pipeline 22a via short branch lines. If the pipelines 18a, 20a, 22a and the support 14 are designed in a suitable manner, it is possible to dispense with the branch lines.

[0049] A nozzle valve block 24 with a total of three switching values 26, 28 and 30 is provided upstream of the multiple-nozzle units 16. The first switching valve 26 is connected to the first pipeline 18a, the second switching valve 28 is connected to the second pipeline 20a and the third switching valve 30 is connected to the third pipeline 22a. The three switching valves 26, 28, 30 can enable or shut off a supply of spray liquid, for example a supply of water, symbolized by an arrow 32, to the pipelines 18a, 20a, 22a. The switching valves 26, 28, 30 here are advantageously designed in the form of pneumatically activated pinch valves. The switching valves 26, 28, 30 are activated pneumatically by means of a respective solenoid valve, the solenoid valves being arranged in a solenoid-valve island 34, which is illustrated above the nozzle valve block 24. This solenoid-valve island 34 is supplied with compressed air, as is symbolized by means of an arrow 36. Furthermore, the solenoid-valve island 34 has a joint electronic control means, which can be connected to a data bus. Such a data bus, and therefore the supply of electric signals, is symbolized by means of an arrow 38. Within the framework of the invention, the first switching valve 26 can be dispensed with if the intention is for the first pipeline 18a, and therefore all the first nozzles of the multiple-nozzle units 16, to be supplied permanently with spray liquid. Of course, it is nevertheless possible to provide a higher-level device for switching on and off the supply of spray water for the spray apparatus 10 as a whole.

[0050] Depending, therefore, on how the solenoid valves in the solenoid-valve island 34 are activated, said valves enable a supply of compressed air to the switching valves 26, 28, 30 or shut off the supply of compressed air and, as a result, a supply of spray liquid to the pipelines 18a, 20a, 22a is then also optionally enabled or shut off.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a multiple-nozzle unit 16. Each multiple-nozzle unit 16 has a mounting block 40, in which the beginning of each of the nozzle water pipes 18b, 20b and 22b is arranged. The nozzle water pipes 18b, 20b, 22b then lead through a support 42 to a multiple-nozzle head 44. This multiple-nozzle head 44 contains three nozzles 46, 48, 50, which can each generate a spray jet indicated schematically in FIG. 2. If all three nozzles 46, 48, 50 are in operation, then the spray jets of the nozzles 46, 48, 50 overlap. Irrespective of whether only one of the nozzles 46, 48, 50 is in operation or any desired combinations of the nozzles 46, 48, 50 are in operation, a homogeneous distribution of spray liquid is always achieved, as is homogeneous cooling of the entire width of the metal strand. The multiple-nozzle unit 16 is connected in a permanent or releasable manner to the support 14 by way of the mounting block 40.

[0052] The multiple-nozzle head 44 here is of such a compact design that it can be arranged between two supporting rollers for the metal strand. The multiple-nozzle head 44 is always designed, and arranged, such that the spray jets generated by the nozzles 46, 48, 50 can pass through between the supporting rollers without obstruction.

[0053] The first nozzle 46 is supplied with spray liquid by means of the first nozzle water pipe 18b, the second nozzle 48 is supplied with spray liquid by means of the second nozzle water pipe 20b and the third nozzle 50 is supplied with spray liquid by means of the third nozzle water pipe 22b. Ultimately, therefore, all the first nozzles 46 in the multiple-nozzle units 16 are flow-connected to the first pipeline 18a, but it is not the case that all the first nozzles 46 are flow-connected to the second pipeline 20a and the third pipeline 22a. In the same way, all the second nozzles 48 of the multiple-nozzle units 16 are flow-connected exclusively to the second pipeline 20a. All the third nozzles 50 of the multiple-nozzle units 16 are flow-connected exclusively to the third pipeline 22a.

[0054] By means of the first switching valve 26, it is therefore possible to enable or shut off a supply of spray liquid to all the first nozzles 46 in the multiple-nozzle units 16. By means of the second switching valve 28, it is possible to enable or shut off a supply of spray liquid to all the second nozzles 48 in the multiple-nozzle units 16. By means of the third switching valve 30, it is possible to enable or shut off a supply of spray liquid to all the third nozzles 50 of the multiple-nozzle units 16.

[0055] If it is therefore the case that merely a comparatively small spray-liquid quantity is required in order to cool a metal strand, then use is made merely of the nozzles supplied permanently with spray liquid or a higher-level control means (not illustrated) enables a supply of spray liquid into the first pipeline 18a, for example, merely via the switching valve 26, whereas a supply of spray liquid into the second pipeline 20a and the third pipeline 22a is shut off by means of the switching valves 28, 30. As a result, only the first nozzles 46 will discharge a spray jet. The spray jet is discharged through the first nozzles 46 here continuously and without interruption. It is only when the spray-liquid quantity required alters that, on the one hand, it is possible, using devices which are not illustrated, to alter a pressure of the spray liquid supplied. On the other hand, it is possible for all the second nozzles 48 to be switched on, for example, via the second switching valve 28. If even more spray liquid is required, it is possible for all the third nozzles 50 to be switched on, for example, via the third switching valve 30.

[0056] The spray-liquid quantity discharged can therefore be altered, on the one hand, by virtue of the pressure of the spray liquid supplied being altered and, on the other hand, by virtue of the nozzles 46, 48, 50 being switched on or off. If the predetermined spray-liquid quantity is constant, the nozzles 46, 48, 50 generate a continuous and uninterrupted spray jet. It is therefore also possible for the metal strand to be cooled continuously and without interruption.

[0057] It is possible for the first nozzles 46, the second nozzles 48 and the third nozzles 50 in each multiple-nozzle head 44 here to be identical or designed such that they discharge a different spray-liquid quantity at the same spray-liquid pressure. For example, the first nozzle 46 discharges a first spray-liquid quantity at a predetermined spray-liquid pressure, the second nozzle 48 discharges a greater spray-liquid quantity at the same spray-liquid pressure and the third nozzle 50 discharges an even greater spray-liquid quantity at the same spray-liquid pressure.

[0058] This means that the spread of the dischargeable spray-liquid quantity can be increased to a considerable extent in relation to three identically designed nozzles 46, 48, 50.

[0059] The nozzles 46, 48, 50 can be formed in the multiple-nozzle block 44, for example, in the form of nozzle inserts, and therefore these nozzle inserts can be changed over quickly and straightforwardly. This is advantageous if the nozzles 46, 48, 50 have to be changed over on account of wear, but also for the purpose of adapting the spray-liquid quantity discharged.

[0060] FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram in which the spray-liquid quantity discharged is plotted in litres per minute over the water pressure of the spray liquid. A first line, which is provided with circles, shows the spray-liquid quantity discharged by the first nozzles 46 plotted over the water pressure. A second line, which is provided with crosses, shows the sum of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by the first nozzle 46 and the second nozzle 48. A third line, which is provided with squares, shows the sum of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by all three nozzles 46, 48, 50.

[0061] It can be seen that the first nozzle 46 discharges a spray-liquid quantity of merely approximately 1 l/min at a spray-liquid pressure of 1 bar. A spray-liquid quantity of approximately 3 l/min, then, is discharged at a spray-liquid pressure of 12 bar.

[0062] If the spray-liquid quantity discharged is to be increased above 3 l/min, the second nozzle 48 is switched on. At the same time, the spray-liquid pressure is reduced again to 1 bar.

[0063] It can be seen from the line provided with crosses that the sum of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by the first nozzle 46 and the second nozzle 48 is approximately 2 l/min at a spray-liquid pressure of 1 bar. This value is therefore lower than the spray-liquid quantity which is discharged by the first nozzle 46 alone at a spray-liquid pressure of 12 bar. The quantity ranges of the spray-liquid quantity discharged by the first nozzle 46 alone and of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by the first nozzle 46 and the second nozzle 48 together therefore overlap. This makes it possible to achieve a very precise setting of the spray-liquid quantity discharged by virtue of the spray-liquid pressure being varied and of individual nozzles 46, 48, 50 being switched on or off.

[0064] The first nozzle 46 and the second nozzle 48 together discharge approximately 7.5 l/min of spray liquid at a spray-liquid pressure of 12 bar, as can be seen on the far right of the line provided with crosses. If the intention then is for the spray-liquid quantity to be increased yet further, all three nozzles 46, 48, 50 are supplied with spray liquid and, at the same time, the spray-liquid pressure is reduced again to 1 bar. As can be seen with reference to the line provided with squares in FIG. 3, all three nozzles 46, 48, 50 together discharge a spray-liquid quantity of approximately 6 l/min at a spray-liquid pressure of 1 bar. Here too, therefore, the quantity ranges of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by the first nozzle 46 and the second nozzle 48 together and the quantity ranges of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by all three nozzles 46, 48, 50 together overlap. Of course, the spray-liquid quantity can be increased not just in the manner described; rather, it is also possible for nozzles to be switched on or off at different spray-liquid pressures, so that it is possible to set the desired spray quantity within the diagram of FIG. 3.

[0065] The nozzles 46, 48, 50 of the multiple-nozzle heads 44 are therefore coordinated with one another in respect of the spray-liquid quantity discharged such that the first nozzle, within a predefined pressure range between a low pressure and a high pressure of the spray liquid, discharges a spray-liquid quantity within a first quantity range, and that the sum of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by the first nozzle and the second nozzle at the low pressure is lower than the spray-liquid quantity discharged by the first nozzle at the high pressure. The quantity ranges of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by the first nozzle, on the one hand, and by the first nozzle and the second nozzle together, on the other hand, therefore overlap. Analogously, this is also the case for the sum of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by the first nozzle and the second nozzle at the high pressure and the sum of the spray-liquid quantities discharged by the first nozzle, the second nozzle and the third nozzle together at low pressure. This can be seen with reference to the line provided with squares in FIG. 3. This coordination of the spray-liquid quantities discharged can be achieved both by three identical nozzles 46, 48, 50 and by three nozzles 46, 48, 50 which differ in respect of the spray-liquid quantity discharged.

[0066] FIG. 4 shows, schematically, a front view of the support 14 from FIG. 1. The support 14 is formed by a profile 52, which has three hollow chambers which are continuous in the longitudinal direction. These three hollow chambers form the pipelines 18a, 20a and 22a, to which, as has been explained, the branch lines to the multiple-nozzle units 16 are then connected, or the multiple-nozzle unit 16 is connected directly.

[0067] It is also the case that respective undercut grooves 54, 56 are arranged laterally of the three hollow chambers or pipelines 18a, 20a, 22a. These undercut grooves 54, 56 can be used in order to mount, for example, the multiple-nozzle units 16 on the support 14. The support 42 from FIG. 2, which combines the three nozzle water pipes 18b, 20b, 22b, can be designed in the same or a similar manner in the form of a profile 52 with a plurality of hollow chambers.

[0068] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a further embodiment of a spray apparatus 60 according to the invention.

[0069] The spray apparatus 60 has a multiple-nozzle unit 16, as has already been described with reference to FIG. 2. The multiple-nozzle unit 16 will therefore not be described anew.

[0070] In contrast to the multiple-nozzle unit 16 from FIG. 2, a nozzle valve block 24 with a total of three switching valves 26, 28 and 30 is arranged on the mounting block 40 of the multiple-nozzle unit 16, said nozzle valve block having already been explained with reference to the spray apparatus from FIG. 1.

[0071] The first switching valve 26 is assigned to a first nozzle water pipe 18b, the second switching valve 28 is assigned to a second nozzle water pipe 20b and the third switching valve 30 is assigned to a third nozzle water pipe 22b. A supply of spray water to the nozzle water pipes 18b, 20b, 22b, and therefore to the nozzles 46, 48 and/or 50 in the multiple-nozzle head 44, can thus be enabled or switched off via the switching valves 26, 28, 30.

[0072] For the sake of clarity, a supply of spray liquid to the nozzle valve block 24, a supply of compressed air to the nozzle valve block 24 and a possibly higher-level solenoid-valve island have not been illustrated in FIG. 5, but they have been provided in a manner identical to that in FIG. 1 and have been described in conjunction with FIG. 1.

[0073] The spray apparatus 60 according to FIG. 5 of the invention therefore has just one multiple-nozzle unit 16. Of course, within the framework of the invention, it is also nevertheless possible to combine a plurality of spray apparatuses 60 in an arrangement similar to FIG. 1. A plurality of spray apparatuses 60 are then provided for cooling a metal strand. In contrast to the spray apparatus 10 from FIG. 1, it is then possible, if a plurality of spray apparatuses 60 according to FIG. 5 are provided, for the individual multiple-nozzle units 16 to be activated separately from one another.