Title

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DESIGN OF BLOOM CASTERS FOR HIGH QUALITY STEEL GRADES

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DESIGN OF BLOOM CASTERS FOR HIGH QUALITY STEEL GRADES

Authorship

REUTER, H. J.; KAELL, N.

REUTER, H. J.

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KAELL, N.

I am this author

DOI

10.5151/2594-5300-13Aciaria-65-72

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Abstract

The general improvement of steel quality during the last ten years is mainly due to developments in ladle treatment processes. In order to maintain a high quality level of liquid steel, continuous casting machines must incorporate special layout and design features. The paper describes the main characteristics of the new MecanARBED–KSM bloom casters, focusing on ladle rotator design, tundish configuration (I-shape with refractory dam and inert gas protection), submerged nozzles, emergency slide gates, automatic powder feeders, tundish cars, mold design (plate molds), electromagnetic stirring, electromagnetic mold level control (ALCEM system), roller apron design with controlled secondary cooling, cooling chambers, roller apron manipulator, withdrawal and unbending units, starter bar system, and cutoff torches. The installations commissioned recently demonstrate high productivity and improved metallurgical quality results.

The general improvement of steel quality during the last ten years is mainly due to developments in ladle treatment processes. In order to maintain a high quality level of liquid steel, continuous casting machines must incorporate special layout and design features. The paper describes the main characteristics of the new MecanARBED–KSM bloom casters, focusing on ladle rotator design, tundish configuration (I-shape with refractory dam and inert gas protection), submerged nozzles, emergency slide gates, automatic powder feeders, tundish cars, mold design (plate molds), electromagnetic stirring, electromagnetic mold level control (ALCEM system), roller apron design with controlled secondary cooling, cooling chambers, roller apron manipulator, withdrawal and unbending units, starter bar system, and cutoff torches. The installations commissioned recently demonstrate high productivity and improved metallurgical quality results.

Keywords

Continuous casting, Bloom caster, High quality steel, Ladle treatment, Tundish design, Electromagnetic stirring, Mold level control, Secondary cooling, Roller apron, Steel cleanliness

Continuous casting, Bloom caster, High quality steel, Ladle treatment, Tundish design, Electromagnetic stirring, Mold level control, Secondary cooling, Roller apron, Steel cleanliness