Flow control device for the outlet nozzle of a metallurgical vessel
AssigneeFoseco International Limited
InventorAlbert Edward Dainton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flow control device for the outlet nozzle for a molten metal handling vessel, such as a ladle, includes a plug that fits in the outlet nozzle to define a gap between the plug and a closure for the nozzle. The plug has a plurality of apertures which are closed by steel plates, or other material, that melts under the influence of the molten metal in the vessel. When molten metal is placed into the vessel and the closure for the outlet is opened, the molten metal flows into the apertures, melting the meltable material in the apertures, and out the outlet. Using a device and method described allows the amount of molten metal in a ladle to be reduced to about 0.5%, and a greater than 99% free opening rate can be provided.
Claims20
A flow control device for an outlet nozzle of a molten meal handling vessel having a closure means for an outlet from said outlet nozzle, said device comprising:
- a plug shaped to fit in said outlet nozzle so that a gap is defined between said plug and said closure means;
- said plug having a plurality of apertures therein;
- and
- said apertures closed by a material that melts under the influence of molten metal in said vessel, and upon melting allows flow of molten metal from said vessel to said outlet through said apertures.
A method of teeming a molten metal handling vessel using a plug flow control device capable of being fitted in an outlet nozzle of the empty vessel so that a gap is defined between the plug and a closure for the outlet, the plug having a plurality of apertures closed by a material that melts under the influence of molten metal in the vessel, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing the plug in the outlet nozzle to define the gap;
- (b) filling the gap with sand through the closure for the outlet;
- (c) closing the closure for the outlet;
- (d) after steps (a)-(c), placing molten metal in the vessel;
- and
- (e) after step (d), teeming the vessel by opening the closure so that molten metal flows into the plug apertures, melting the material that melts under the influence of molten metal therein, and through the apertures out of the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.