Abstract: A casting nozzle for use in the casting of molten metal produces a stable flow pattern having an elongated section in the horizontal plane. The bore cross-sectional area contains, from entry to exit, at least two significant section area reductions to reduce turbulence, realign streamlines and affect flow distribution inside the nozzle. The bore cross-section has a local minimum value in a contraction section located between the entry section and an expansion section. Bore cross-sectional area decreases from the expansion section to the lower end of the nozzle. The two significant cross-sectional area reductions cooperate with other structures within the bore to stabilize flow.

Abstract: A casting nozzle for use in the casting of molten metal produces a stable flow pattern having an elongated section in the horizontal plane. The bore cross-sectional area contains, from entry to exit, at least two significant section area reductions to reduce turbulence, realign streamlines and affect flow distribution inside the nozzle. The bore cross-section has a local minimum value in a contraction section located between the entry section and an expansion section. Bore cross-sectional area decreases from the expansion section to the lower end of the nozzle. The two significant cross-sectional area reductions cooperate with other structures within the bore to stabilize flow.

Abstract: A slab nozzle for use in a continuous slab casting installation is characterized by a specific geometry of the outer wall of a downstream portion thereof which is inserted in a slab mould cavity. The specific geometry promotes a “round-about” effect whereby converging opposite streams of molten metal flowing towards two opposite flanks of the slab nozzle are each preferentially deviated towards one side of the slab nozzle where they can freely flow through the narrow channels formed between the slab nozzle and the slab mould cavity wall without impinging with one another. This prolongs the service life of the slab nozzle by substantially reducing the erosion rate of the outer wall thereof.

Abstract: A slab nozzle for use in a continuous slab casting installation is characterized by a specific geometry of the outer wall of a downstream portion thereof which is inserted in a slab mould cavity. The specific geometry promotes a “round-about” effect whereby converging opposite streams of molten metal flowing towards two opposite flanks of the slab nozzle are each preferentially deviated towards one side of the slab nozzle where they can freely flow through the narrow channels formed between the slab nozzle and the slab mould cavity wall without impinging with one another. This prolongs the service life of the slab nozzle by substantially reducing the erosion rate of the outer wall thereof.

Abstract: A thin slab nozzle contains a central bore extending downstream along longitudinal axis X1 from an inlet orifice at an upstream end. The central bore comprises an upstream bore portion with a height Ha, in communication with a converging bore portion of height He, in communication with a thin bore portion of height Hf ending at the upstream end of a divider, and first and second front ports separated from one another by the divider and coupled to the central bore portion at least partially at the converging bore portion. X2 is a transverse axis, normal to X1, along which the nozzle becomes thinner in a downstream portion. In a section of the thin slab nozzle along a symmetry plane ?1 defined by X1 and by X2, the bore wall of the converging bore portion is curved at all points, and Hf/He?1.

Abstract: A casting nozzle comprises an elongated body defined by an outer wall and comprising a bore defined by a bore wall and extending along a longitudinal axis, X1, from a bore inlet to a downstream bore end, said bore comprising two opposite side ports, each extending transversally to said longitudinal axis, X1, from an opening at the bore wall defining a port inlet adjacent to the downstream bore end, to an opening at the outer wall defining a port outlet which fluidly connects the bore with an outer atmosphere. Upstream from, and directly above each port inlet, one or two flow deflectors protrude out of the bore wall and extend from an upstream deflector end remote from the port inlet to a downstream deflector end close to the port inlet.

Abstract: A casting nozzle comprises an elongated body defined by an outer wall and comprising a bore defined by a bore wall and extending along a longitudinal axis, X1, from a bore inlet to a downstream bore end, said bore comprising two opposite side ports, each extending transversally to said longitudinal axis, X1, from an opening at the bore wall defining a port inlet adjacent to the downstream bore end, to an opening at the outer wall defining a port outlet which fluidly connects the bore with an outer atmosphere. Upstream from, and directly above each port inlet, one or two flow deflectors protrude out of the bore wall and extend from an upstream deflector end remote from the port inlet to a downstream deflector end close to the port inlet.

Abstract: A nozzle for casting steel contains an inlet portion, an elongated portion extending along a first longitudinal axis, an outlet portion and a pouring bore having a front port inlet. A planar cut of the nozzle outlet portion normal to the first longitudinal axis passing through the front port inlet contains the outline of the bore, the outline of the outer peripheral wall of the outlet portion of the nozzle, and a first transverse axis. In the planar cut, the bore centroid and wall centroid are distinct and separated by a distance, d?0; and the segment extending along the first transverse axis, from the bore centroid, to the wall perimeter is longer than the segment extending from the wall centroid to the intersecting point between the first transverse axis and the wall perimeter.

Abstract: A thin slab nozzle comprises: a central bore defined by a bore wall and opening at inlet orifice and extending therefrom along the longitudinal axis X1 until it is closed at an upstream end of a divider, said central bore comprising: an upstream bore portion comprising the inlet orifice and extending over a height, Ha, and, adjacent thereto, forming an upstream boundary with a converging bore portion of height He located in the connecting portion of the thin slab nozzle, and adjacent thereto a thin bore portion of height Hf located in the diffusing portion of the thin slab nozzle and ending at the level of the upstream end of the divider, first and second front ports separated from one another by said divider and coupled to the central bore portion at least partially at the converging bore portion; characterized in that, in a section of the thin slab nozzle along the first symmetry plane ?1 defined by (X1, X2) wherein X2 is normal to X1, the geometry of the wall of the central bore is characterized as

Abstract: A metallurgical ladle, and more particularly the bottom of the ladle or a ladle block in the bottom of the ladle, have an outlet through which the molten metal can drain. The ladle bottom contains an open-end channel bounded by at least one wall with a major dimension perpendicular to a line joining the center of the outlet entrance to the center of the wall. In selected configurations, opposing faces of the walls bounding the open-end channel are convex in the horizontal plane and concave in the horizontal plane, respectively.

Abstract: A nozzle for casting steel contains an inlet portion, an elongated portion extending along a first longitudinal axis, an outlet portion and a pouring bore having a front port inlet. A planar cut of the nozzle outlet portion normal to the first longitudinal axis passing through the front port inlet contains the outline of the bore, the outline of the outer peripheral wall of the outlet portion of the nozzle, and a first transverse axis. In the planar cut, the bore centroid and wall centroid are distinct and separated by a distance, d?0; and the segment extending along the first transverse axis, from the bore centroid, to the wall perimeter is longer than the segment extending from the wall centroid to the intersecting point between the first transverse axis and the wall perimeter.

Abstract: A nozzle for casting steel comprises an inlet portion, an elongated portion extending along a longitudinal axis from the inlet portion, an outlet portion comprising a front port, and a pouring bore. A planar cut of the nozzle outlet portion along a plane normal to the longitudinal axis comprises the outline of the outer peripheral wall of the outlet portion of the nozzle defined by the wall perimeter and the wall centroid of the area defined by said wall perimeter, and a first transverse axis passing by the bore centroid and extending along a direction parallel to the orthogonal projection of the front port direction onto the plane of the cut. The nozzle comprises no front port extending along a direction opposite to the direction of the first front port with respect to the longitudinal axis and belonging to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the front port direction.

Abstract: A metallurgical ladle, and more particularly the bottom of the ladle or a ladle block in the bottom of the ladle, have an outlet through which the molten metal can drain. The ladle bottom contains an open-end channel bounded by at least one wall with a major dimension perpendicular to a line joining the center of the outlet entrance to the center of the wall. In selected configurations, opposing faces of the walls bounding the open-end channel are convex in the horizontal plane and concave in the horizontal plane, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ladle block for use in a bottom of a molten metal ladle. The ladle block reduces the amount of contaminants, particularly slag, exiting the ladle during casting operations. The ladle block includes a floor defining an outlet and sidewalls substantially orthogonal to the floor. The floor and sidewalls define a channel having dimensions of length, width and height. Channel dimensions are determined from the Froude number, which is based at least partially on the casting flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns stopper rod system for use in a metallurgical vessel, comprising a stopper rod and a nozzle. At least one of the stopper rod nose and the internal surface of the nozzle bore comprise a plurality of ripples that are arranged such that the size of a flow channel between the stopper rod nose and the internal stopper rod when the stopper rod system is in an open position discontinuously increases in size as a function of the distance downstream from the point of contact between the stopper rod and the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a submerged entry nozzle for use in the continuous casting of liquid metal. The nozzle comprises a central bore and a plurality of pairs of discharge outlets. The cross-sectional area of the central bore decreases between pairs of discharge outlets, such that ratio of height to width of any outlet is one or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ladle block for use in a bottom of a molten metal ladle. The ladle block reduces the amount of contaminants, particularly slag, exiting the ladle during casting operations. The ladle block includes a floor defining an outlet and sidewalls substantially orthogonal to the floor. The floor and sidewalls define a channel having dimensions of length, width and height. Channel dimensions are determined from the Froude number, which is based at least partially on the casting flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pour tube for casting molten metal. The pour tube is adapted to reduce turbulence and mold disturbances, thereby producing a more stable, uniform outflow. The pour tube includes an exit port with at least one tongue to provide at least two slots on either side of the tongue. The slots generate counter-rotating flows, which result in a more diffusive and more homogeneous outflow. Advantageously, such an outflow can reduce detrimental asymmetry and alumina clogging in the pour tube.

Abstract: A nozzle and method are described for delivering a flow of liquid metal from a metallurgical vessel. In combination with inert gas, the nozzle can shield the flow of liquid metal from oxygen and, additionally, can be used to purge liquid metal residing in the metallurgical vessel. The nozzle includes a substantially gas-impermeable liner surrounded by a permeable composition. The gas-impermeable liner may comprise a resin-bonded material, and the permeable liner is preferably a carbon-bonded or castable refractory. A metal housing may surround the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metallurgical ladle and more particularly to the bottom of the ladle having an outlet through which the molten metal can drain. An object of the present invention is to increase the efficiency of a ladle draining operation, including reducing the amount of discarded metal, avoiding the premature flow of slag through the outlet, and reducing the contamination of slag in the molten metal effluent. The ladle bottom comprises a plurality of terraces and flow channels, ultimately directing the stream of molten metal to an outlet of the ladle. The terraces are described as capturing slag and the channels permit molten metal to flow preferentially through the outlet.