Characteristics of Structure in Secondary Cooling Zone for Small Billet Continuous Casting Machine
Small billet continuous casting machines are widely used in the production of steel, non-ferrous alloys, special alloys and other materials. The purpose of the secondary cooling zone (SCZ) is to ensure that the cast material remains in a solid state and the desired metallurgical properties and ingot shape can be achieved. The structure of the secondary cooling zone is a key factor in ensuring the stable operation of small billet continuous casting machines. In this paper, the features of the secondary cooling zone for small billet continuous casting machines are discussed in detail.
The first feature of the secondary cooling zone for small billet continuous casting machines is that the cooling zone length should meet the needs of cooling and solid-liquid separation. The cooling zone of the small billet continuous casting machine should be arranged in a linear form, and the length is related to the cross-section size and casting speed of the billet, the cooling capability of the water in the cooling zone and the slag layer on the surface of the billet. For example, when the flow rate or cast speed is increased, the length of the cooling zone should also be adjusted accordingly.
The second feature of the secondary cooling zone for small billet continuous casting machines is that the sectional area of the cooling zone should be optimized. The cooling zone of small billet continuous casting equipment can be divided into several sections with different cooling conditions. The section area of the cooling zone should be selected according to the cooling capability of the liquid in the zone. The cooling effect should be relatively uniform in the cooling zone.
The third feature of the secondary cooling zone for small billet continuous casting machines is that the baffle plates should be designed appropriately. Baffle plates are used to guide the flow of cooled liquid and accumulate the slag on the billet surface. Baffle plates are usually fixed in steel frames near the water tanks. The baffle plates should be designed with sufficient strength and rigidity, and should be able to withstand the pressure of the cooling liquid and the impact of the flux and slag layer on the billet surface.
The fourth feature of the secondary cooling zone for small billet continuous casting machines is that the floating section of the cooling zone should be designed sensibly. The water level of the cooling zone should be adjusted properly. If the water level is too low, the cooling effect will be reduced due to insufficient cooling liquid in the zone. If the water level is too high, the volume of water in the cooling zone will be too large and the cost will increase significantly.
The fifth feature of the secondary cooling zone for small billet continuous casting machines is that the cooling liquid should be properly selected. The cooling liquid in the secondary cooling zone of the small billet continuous casting machine should be selected according to the liquids chemical and physical properties, such as its boiling point, density, corrosion resistance, viscosity and thermal conductivity. Generally, high-purity cooling liquid is suitable for the secondary cooling zone of small billet continuous casting machines.
In conclusion, the secondary cooling zone plays an important role in the production of small billet continuous casting machines. Therefore, it is essential to design the cooling zone properly to ensure a safe and stable operation of the equipment. The features of the secondary cooling zone for small billet continuous casting machines discussed in this paper should be taken into account when designing the equipment.
