Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging pouring tubes at a casting vessel having a closeable bottom pour opening of a continuous casting installation. Each pouring tube has an infeed end and an outfeed end for the molten metal, typically steel, flowing therethrough and into a throughflow vessel, such as a continuous casting mold or tundish. Guides serve to move each pouring tube from an approximately horizontal introduction or infeed position into a substantially vertical casting position. The guides are structured such that different paths of movement are provided for the infeed end and outfeed end of the pouring tube, and specifically, the infeed end of the pouring tube moves along an approximately horizontal path of movement and the outfeed end of the pouring tube moves along an approximately vertical path of movement, at least a portion of which vertical path of movement is located within the throughflow vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous casting with high throughput, wherein the metal to be cast, typically steel, is poured into a cooled mold, the strand which is formed and possessing a liquid core is withdrawn, guided and cooled. The continuous casting installation embodies a casting vessel and a cooled mold. The first partial region or zone following the mold comprises a strand guide assembly formed of plates and/or grids equipped with devices for the infeed of a cooling agent. The second partial zone or region comprises a closed pressurized compartment with means arranged at its ends for sealing the throughpassing strand. Within such compartment there are arranged rollers for guiding the strand along a predetermined path of travel and devices for conveying the same as well as for the infeed of the cooling agent.

Abstract: A method of operating a continuous casting installation with high throughput wherein a metal, typically steel, is cast into a cooled continuous casting mold, withdrawing from the mold the cast strand possessing a liquid core and which is formed in such mold, guiding and cooling the withdrawn strand. At least in a partial zone between the mold and the complete solidification of the strand the strand surface is subjected to the action of a pressurized gaseous medium, primarily in the form of water vapor, the pressure of the gaseous medium essentially corresponding to the ferrostatic pressure prevailing in the strand, the water vapor being generated by spraying the strand surface with water, and deviations in the vapor pressure from the required vapor pressure are compensated.