Title

Hotwork Drying and Preheating Systems Used in Ladles and Tundishes in the U.S.A.: Systems, Experiences and Benefits Are Given Resulting in Increased Productivity

Authorship

KOPSER, GEORGE

KOPSER, GEORGE

I am this author

DOI

10.5151/2594-5327-49v7-501-510

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Abstract

With the advent of continuous casting and clean steel programs in North America, Steel Manufacturers found their existing ladle practices needed to be modified. Basic bloating brick linings could no longer be used as they could not withstand the higher steel temperatures. To upgrade their metallurgical processes steelmakers switched to High Alumina and Dolomite brick linings and sometimes Monolithic linings. However, since these linings absorb more heat from the steel, the result was cold steel aborts, skulling and short hold times at the caster. Conventional torches would not adequately preheat the ladle linings so Hotwork developed Preheating Systems for the Ladles. The results were lower furnace tap temperatures, significant increases in pouring and holding times, less aborts and longer ladle lining life. Drying systems were also developed for the caster tundish to increase the service life and improve the caster operation. This paper will cover the process and equipment used for effective drying and preheating of Ladles and Tundishes.

Keywords

Ladle preheating, Tundish drying, Continuous casting, Refractory lining, Hotwork systems