Abstract: The invention provides a plate-fixing structure designed for use with a sliding nozzle device to fix a plate to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate-fixing structure is usable in a concavo-convex fitting technique with respect to fitting a convex or concave portion of a plate to a corresponding convex or concave portion of a plate-receiving metal frame to easily achieve alignment between the convex or concave portion of the plate and the corresponding convex or concave portion of the plate-receiving metal frame. A plate for use with the plate-fixing structure is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a plate fixing structure which is usable in a concavo-convex fitting technique for fitting with respect to a fitting concave or convex portion provided in a plate-receiving metal frame, and capable of easily achieving an alignment between the fitting convex portion and the fitting concave portion, and a plate for use with the fixing structure. The plate 10 is provided with a first engagement portion 14 extending from one of opposite ends thereof in a sliding direction thereof, and a second engagement portion extending from the other end, and the plate-receiving metal frame 20 is provided with a first support portion 22 and a second support portion 23 each configured to allow a respective one of the first engagement portion 14 and the second engagement portion 15 to be engaged therewith.

Abstract: A method of controlling a sliding nozzle device 10 and a plate 13 used therefor, even if operational conditions are changed, automatically optimizing sliding conditions of the device 10, increasing a life of the plate 13, and reducing a corrosion rate and a stroke length of the plate 13. When the device 10 is controlled, if an average cumulative sliding rate of the plate 13 is outside a control range, a sliding rate of the plate 13 is changed within a preset range, thereby automatically optimizing the sliding conditions of the device 10 even with an operational condition change. Also, 3% to 20% of average sliding rate can reduce the corrosion rate of the plate 13 and drastically increase the life of the plate 13.

Abstract: Disclosed is an upper nozzle/plate integral unit comprising an upper nozzle and an upper plate integrated together, which is capable of being easily split into the upper nozzle and the upper plate after use, while adequately maintaining a thickness of a joint between the upper nozzle and the upper plate during use. A metal casing 4 is bent inwardly along an outer peripheral surface of a lower end portion of an alumina carbon-based refractory body of the upper nozzle 1 to form a metal member. The metal member formed by bending the metal casing 4 inwardly has a length of 15 mm. A gap between the metal casing and the refractory body is filled with mortar having a thickness of about 0.5 mm. A recess 11 of the lower end portion of the upper nozzle 1 is fitted onto a raised portion 21 of the upper plate 2 through mortar, and the metal casing 4 of the upper nozzle 1 is in contact with a metal casing of the upper plate 2.