Title

THE TECHNOLOGY, BENEFITS, AND MEASUREMENT OF THE ELBYTM LADLE BOTTOM

THE TECHNOLOGY, BENEFITS, AND MEASUREMENT OF THE ELBYTM LADLE BOTTOM

Authorship

Toner, Andy; Boeing, John; Teixeira, Alberto; Dainton, Albert

Toner, Andy

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Boeing, John

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Teixeira, Alberto

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Dainton, Albert

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DOI

10.5151/2594-5300-22777

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Abstract

The ELBYTM (Enhanced Ladle Bottom Yield) system is a novel technology for a steel teeming ladle precast bottom that uses specifically designed channels, terraces, and impact zones to alter the phenomenon of vortexing at the end of the ladle draining sequence. By delaying the vortex, more steel is allowed to exit the ladle into the tundish without slag carryover. In actual operations, the ELBYTM system can potentially achieve large yield savings which impact the operating cost of the steel plant. Significant technical benefits are also gained by insuring less slag carryover into the tundish, resulting in lower tundish maintenance costs and improved steel quality. The ELBYTM system is made possible through three proprietary technologies: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD): After a detailed audit is conducted on the ladle practice, a CFD is utilized to study and simulate the ladles draining pattern, vortex characteristics, and surface collapse. CFD analysis will detail the specific design of the ELBYTM bottom and estimate the yield savings.NUMAXTM Refractory Castable: Cement free refractory, ultra low water castable. Designed with optimal particle packing, NumaxTM castable allows ELBYTM ladle bottoms to maintain their engineered profile to maximize flow characteristics and yield savings.Infrared Thermal Imaging (ITI): The measurement of yield savings is very important to the steelmaker. Using a proprietary infrared measurement system, videos are taken of individual ladle dumps after casting. Specialized software distinguishes slag steel, labeling each with a unique color. A program specifically designed for the ELBYTM system counts the total number of pixels in both the slag and steel to give a percentage of each component.In summary, the combination of bottom design, NumaxTM castable performance, and infrared yield measurement make the ELBYTM system an important innovation with the potential to impact shop yield around the world.

The ELBYTM (Enhanced Ladle Bottom Yield) system is a novel technology for a steel teeming ladle precast bottom that uses specifically designed channels, terraces, and impact zones to alter the phenomenon of vortexing at the end of the ladle draining sequence. By delaying the vortex, more steel is allowed to exit the ladle into the tundish without slag carryover. In actual operations, the ELBYTM system can potentially achieve large yield savings which impact the operating cost of the steel plant. Significant technical benefits are also gained by insuring less slag carryover into the tundish, resulting in lower tundish maintenance costs and improved steel quality. The ELBYTM system is made possible through three proprietary technologies: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD): After a detailed audit is conducted on the ladle practice, a CFD is utilized to study and simulate the ladles draining pattern, vortex characteristics, and surface collapse. CFD analysis will detail the specific design of the ELBYTM bottom and estimate the yield savings.NUMAXTM Refractory Castable: Cement free refractory, ultra low water castable. Designed with optimal particle packing, NumaxTM castable allows ELBYTM ladle bottoms to maintain their engineered profile to maximize flow characteristics and yield savings.Infrared Thermal Imaging (ITI): The measurement of yield savings is very important to the steelmaker. Using a proprietary infrared measurement system, videos are taken of individual ladle dumps after casting. Specialized software distinguishes slag steel, labeling each with a unique color. A program specifically designed for the ELBYTM system counts the total number of pixels in both the slag and steel to give a percentage of each component.In summary, the combination of bottom design, NumaxTM castable performance, and infrared yield measurement make the ELBYTM system an important innovation with the potential to impact shop yield around the world.

Keywords

Ladle; Yield; Technology; Caster; Refractory.

Ladle; Yield; Technology; Caster; Refractory.