Compact continuous caster——A new type of continuous caster that increases slab production capacity and flexible production
Introduction
Compact continuous caster is a new type of continuous caster which has been developed and manufactured by many steel mills in recent years. It has the features of enhancing production capacity, lowering production cost and improving production efficiency and stability, it is increasingly becoming the preferred equipment for the production of slab. In this paper, the structure, production process and operational characteristics of the compact continuous caster are described in detail.
Structure and Working Principle
Compact continuous caster consists of straightening device, nozzle, tundish, steel strand, mould and withdrawal undercarriage, which all form a complete production line. The production process is divided into six stages: straightening, pouring and filling, rotation and cooling, dynamic calibration, static calibration and withdrawal. Straightening device is used to pre-treat the molten steel in the furnace, so that molten steel can flow stably. The nozzle at the outlet of the straightening device injects the molten steel into the tundish, forming the steel strand. The bottom of the steel drum is connected to the mould, and the steel strand is formed and cooled after passing through the mould. The dynamic calibration frame is located at the bottom of the mould to control the width and height of the steel strand. The static calibration frame is located at the lower part of the mould, which stretch and solidify the steel strand. At the end of the process, the withdrawal undercarriage withdraws the slab from the mould.
Production Process
The production process of compact continuous caster includes six processes:
1. Straightening: According to the requirements of steel grade, temperature and flow rate, the necessary operating parameters of the straightening device such as temperature, flow rate, head pressure and back pressure are determined, and the pre-treatment furnace is opened. The molten steel is heated to the specified temperature, and then heated to a flowable temperature. The heated molten steel is sent to the nozzle at high pressure by the straightening device, and then injected into the tundish.
2. Pouring and filling: The molten steel injected from the nozzle continuously flows into the tundish and flows into the mould through the tundish. The molten steel is poured into the mould evenly and continuously during the filling process.
3. Rotation and cooling: After the tundish is filled with molten steel, the cooling water from the mould opening is continuously supplied to rapidly reduce the temperature of the tundish and steel strand to the required solidification temperature. During the cooling process, the tundish and steel strand are rotated at the same time to reduce the thermal deformation of the steel strand.
4. Dynamic calibration: The dynamic calibration frame is located at the bottom of the mould to control the width and height of the steel strand. When the molten steel strand enters the mould and gradually solidifies, the dynamic calibration frame adjusts the shape of the steel strand according to the requirement.
5. Static calibration: The static calibration frame is located below the mould. In the static calibration process, the bottom of the steel strand is pulled, so that the steel strand is straight and solidified.
6. Withdrawal: After the static calibration, the slab slowly pass through the static calibration frame and withdrawal frame for cutting and withdrawal.
Operational Characteristics
Compact continuous caster has the characteristics of fast speed and high efficiency. It has the advantages of large production capacity and flexibility compared with traditional slab continuous caster. It has the features of fast pipe casting speed, even flow, uniform strand width and height, small data fluctuation, stable production and low cost. In addition, the cooling effect of slab is good, the thickness is uniform, the cross-section is beautiful and the work quality is stable.
Conclusion
Compact continuous caster is a new type of continuous caster which has been developed and manufactured by many steel mills in recent years. It has the features of enhancing production capacity, lowering production cost and improving production efficiency and stability. It has the characteristics of fast speed and high efficiency, and is becoming the preferred equipment for steel slab production.
