System and method for monitorinig mold flux consumption

Abstract

A system for monitoring the consumption of mold flux in a continuous casting apparatus including a transfer apparatus for transferring mold flux from a bulk source to an intermediate hopper; a feed control apparatus for controlling the transfer of mold flux from the transfer apparatus to the intermediate hopper, the feed control apparatus including at least one load cell for weighing the intermediate hopper and the mold flux within the intermediate hopper over a period of time, the feed control apparatus further including a controller receiving input from the at least one load cell and for controlling the operation of the transfer apparatus based on the input; and a delivery apparatus for receiving mold flux from the intermediate hopper and delivering the mold flux to a mold, the delivery apparatus pneumatically feeding the mold flux to the mold.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for monitoring mold flux consumption and delivering mold flux onto a continuous casting mold, the method comprising:
 transferring mold flux from a bulk source to an intermediate hopper using a transfer apparatus;   weighing the intermediate hopper and the mold flux within the intermediate hopper over a period of time to measure mold flux consumption in real time;   making a record of mold flux consumption over time;   controlling the operation of the transfer apparatus based on the weight of the intermediate hopper and the mold flux within the intermediate hopper;   transferring mold flux from the intermediate hopper to a feed hopper; and   pneumatically feeding the mold flux from the feed hopper to a continuous casting mold.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mold flux consumption is measured by weight. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the weighing of the intermediate hopper and the mold flux within the intermediate hopper is accomplished using at least one load cell, and wherein the mold flux consumption is calculated based on an output of the at least one load cell. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the intermediate hopper does not contact the feed hopper. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mold flux consumption is measured volumetrically. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the making a record of mold flux consumption over time includes using a PLC to record daily mold flux consumption. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pneumatic feeding of the mold flux from the feed hopper to the mold occurs at a rate that is manually controlled by an operator. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein operator controls the pneumatic feeding using a touch screen display. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein operator controls the pneumatic feeding using a handheld wireless controller.