Abstract: A refractory block for continuous casting comprising: a unitary assembly comprising: a plate brick having a top, a bottom, sides and a passageway therethrough, and a submerged nozzle having a top, a bottom, sides and a passageway therethrough, the sides of the submerged nozzle having a shoulder portion, the bottom of the plate brick joining the top of the submerged nozzle; a metal casing surrounding the unitary assembly such that the metal casing surrounds and supports a portion of the sides of the plate brick, a portion of the bottom of the plate brick and a portion of the sides of the submerged nozzle including the shoulder portion, and an air cooling jacket surrounding the metal casing.

Abstract: A refractory block for continuous casting is disclosed comprising a unitary assembly including a plate brick having a top, bottom, sides and a passageway therethrough; a gas permeable porous brick having a top, bottom, sides and a passageway therethrough, where the top of the porous brick is attached to the bottom of the plate brick, a gas pool for containing gas surrounds the sides of the porous brick, and a submerged nozzle having a top, bottom and sides, where the sides have shoulder portions, has the top of the submerged nozzle attached to the bottom of the porous brick. A metal casing surrounds the unitary assembly so that the metal casing surrounds and supports a portion of the sides of the plate brick, a portion of the bottom of the plate brick, the sides of porous brick, and a portion of the sides of the submerged nozzle, including the shoulder portions. The metal casing further includes gas feed and discharge pipes therethrough in communication with the gas pool.

Abstract: A plate brick for a sliding gate valve provides a mechanism for preventing cracks which may occur in the abutting portion of a brick setting metal fitting. The plate brick comprises ends having a semicircular shape and an outer periphery which is strained with an iron plate hoop. The generation of cracks is reduced by providing slits or recesses at both ends of the plate at positions corresponding to those of the brick fixing metal fittings.

Abstract: An opening element for an insert nozzle of a slide gate valve apparatus, wherein a dead weight having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the melt passage opening of the slide gate valve apparatus is connected to a refractory cap by means of a steel wire, or by a refractory or metallic coupling rod and a method of opening said slide gate valve apparatus wherein said opening element is set in said respective passage openings of the insert nozzle and of a bottom plate connected to the nozzle, and said opening element is opened by the impact load exerted when said dead weight falls down due to the opening of the slide gate valve apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a porous nozzle which is made up of an upper porous brick, a dense brick, and a lower porous brick arranged vertically in layer and a casing surrounding them. The casing is provided with an inert gas supply pipe which leads to the peripheral space of the upper porous brick. The casing is also provided with another inert gas supply pipe which leads to the peripheral space of the lower porous brick.Disclosed also herein is another porous nozzle which is made up of an upper porous brick, a dense brick, and a lower porous brick arranged vertically in layer and a casing surrounding them. The casing is provided with an inert gas supply pipe which leads to the peripheral space of the lower porous brick which communicates with the peripheral space of the upper porous brick.