Cooling method and equipment for continuous upward casting of metals

Abstract

A method for cooling a cast product in the essentially vertical continuous casting of metals, taking place in an upward direction, in particular in the continuous casting of wires, rods and tubes of non-ferrous metals, in which method the casting nozzle and primary cooler are at least partially inserted in the melt inside the furnace and the metal is cast through them, whereby the product to be cast is first cooled inside the casting nozzle as the primary cooling. In addition to primary cooling, the product to be cast ( 3, 3 ′) is cooled outside the furnace ( 1 ) walls at least in one another cooling stage by a jet ( 6 ) of cooling agent directed onto the surface of the product to be cast, in such a way that the passage of cooling agent into the melt within the furnace is prevented.

1 . A method for cooling a cast product in the essentially vertical continuous casting of metals, taking place in an upward direction, in particular in the continuous casting of wires, rods and tubes of non-ferrous metals, in which method a casting nozzle and primary cooler are at least partially inserted in a melt inside a furnace and the metal is cast through them, whereby the product to be cast is first cooled inside the casting nozzle as the primary cooling, characterized in that, in addition to primary cooling, the product to be cast ( 3 ,  3 ′) is cooled outside the furnace ( 1 ) walls at least in one another cooling stage by a jet ( 6 ) of cooling agent directed onto the surface of the product to be cast, in such a way that the passage of cooling agent into the melt within the furnace is prevented; the cooling agent is recovered with a collection device ( 7 ), such as collecting pools positioned at the cooling agent jet ( 6 ) connection and recirculated through a cooling agent tank ( 10 ) back to the cooling stage.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that an additive is used in the cooling agent ( 6 ).  
     
     
         3 . A method according to some of claims  1 - 2 , characterized in that the cooling agent jet ( 6 ) is directed onto the cast product ( 3 , 3 ′) at the point of its guiding device ( 5 ), such as bending rolls.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to some of claims  1 - 3 , characterized in that the product to be cast ( 3 , 3 ′) is surrounded by shielding gas for at least part of the distance between primary cooling and the cooling agent jet.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for the cooling of a cast product in the essentially vertical continuous casting of metals, taking place in an upward direction, in particular in the continuous casting of wires, rods and tubes of non-ferrous metals, where a casting nozzle and primary cooler are at least partially inserted in a melt inside a furnace ( 1 ) and the metal is cast through them, whereby the product to be cast is cooled inside the casting nozzle, as the primary cooling, characterized in that the apparatus is comprised of a cooling tank ( 10 ), a pump unit ( 11 ), at least one cooling agent spray jet ( 6 ) to cool the product to be cast, arranged on the outside of the furnace ( 1 ) walls in such a way that the cooling agent sprayed from the jet does not get to travel into the furnace, a collection device ( 7 ), such as a collecting pool arranged to the cooling agent spray jet ( 6 ) connection.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the cooling arrangement is closed.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to claims  5 - 6 , characterized in that at least one cooling agent spray jet ( 6 ) is provided for each cast product ( 3 , 3 ′).  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to claims  5 - 7 , characterized in that the spray from the cooling agent spray jet ( 6 ) is directed to hit the cast product ( 3 , 3 ′) at the point of a guiding device ( 5 ) of the product, such as a bending roll.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to some of claims  5 - 8 , characterized in that the apparatus includes a shielding gas space ( 8 ), through which the product to be cast ( 3 , 3 ′) is routed, for at least part of the distance between primary cooling ( 2 ) and the cooling agent jet ( 6 ).