A method for quick replacement of a crystallizer in a continuous casting machine
By optimizing the crystallizer replacement process using high- and low-leg single-beam cranes and pneumatic valves in the continuous casting machine, safety hazards and efficiency issues during crystallizer replacement have been resolved, resulting in more efficient crystallizer replacement and continuous casting machine production.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HBZX HIGH TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
The replacement of the crystallizer in a continuous casting machine presents safety hazards and wasted time due to inaccurate hoisting operations, low efficiency of manual valve operation, and limited space, which affect the production efficiency of the continuous casting machine.
The system employs a high- and low-leg single-beam crane with an electric handle, uses pneumatic shut-off valves instead of manual valves, and divides the crystallizer replacement process into three stages: preparation, replacement, and completion. The high- and low-leg single-beam crane and pneumatic valves improve operational accuracy and efficiency.
It improves the safety and efficiency of crystallizer replacement, reduces replacement time, increases continuous casting machine production time, and reduces safety hazards.
Smart Images
Figure CN116532620B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a method for quickly changing the crystallizer in a continuous casting machine, belonging to the technical field of maintenance methods for steelmaking continuous casting equipment. Background Technology
[0002] The crystallizer is one of the most important components of continuous casting equipment. Molten steel exchanges heat with cooling water in the crystallizer, solidifying into a hard shell to form the billet with the desired cross-section. With the development of continuous casting technology, continuous casting machines have evolved from two-strand and three-strand machines to six-strand and eight-strand machines with multiple strands. The more strands a continuous casting machine has, the more crystallizers are operating online. When a crystallizer reaches the end of its service life, the downtime for crystallizer replacement increases, taking up more time in the continuous casting machine's steel production. Currently, the long time required for crystallizer replacement is mainly due to the following factors:
[0003] 1. When replacing the crystallizer, an overhead crane is used for hoisting. However, the tundish platform on the overhead crane blocks the view of the crystallizer and the crane operator on the continuous casting machine's pouring platform. The hoisting operation is entirely directed by the crane operator via walkie-talkie. This results in inaccurate hoisting, dismantling, and installation actions, slow speed, and a high risk of collisions between personnel and equipment, posing significant safety hazards.
[0004] 2. Before replacing a crystallizer with a different flow, the inlet and outlet valves of that flow must be shut off. Since the crystallizer is on the casting platform, and the inlet and outlet valves are installed on the next lower platform, both are manual shut-off valves. Manual operation is inefficient, and personnel dismantling the crystallizer on the casting platform must repeatedly contact those responsible for closing the inlet and outlet valves before proceeding. Inadequate communication and confirmation can cause water to spray onto the casting platform, creating chaos at the work site.
[0005] 3. Directly in front of the crystallizer is the tundish platform, and behind it is the ladle turret. The more continuous casting machines there are, the smaller the space becomes. The equipment and personnel are more concentrated, which brings safety hazards. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for quickly changing the crystallizer in a continuous casting machine. By utilizing the track of the tundish car with high and low leg single-beam cranes for crystallizer installation and removal, and operating it on-site with a handheld electric handle, the method offers good visibility, convenient operation, safety, and reliability, thereby improving the efficiency of crystallizer replacement. The crystallizer inlet and outlet valves are pneumatic shut-off valves to improve closing and opening efficiency, saving time during crystallizer replacement. The crystallizer replacement is divided into three stages: preparation, replacement, and completion. Through scientific planning, the time spent solely on crystallizer replacement is minimized. Other tasks can be completed in the preparation stage before the continuous casting machine stops production and in the completion stage after production has ended. This method improves crystallizer replacement efficiency while ensuring safety, correspondingly increasing the continuous casting machine's production time, effectively solving the aforementioned problems in the background technology.
[0007] The technical solution of the present invention is: a method for quickly changing the crystallizer in a continuous casting machine, comprising the following steps:
[0008] (1) Preparation stage: Move the high leg single beam crane and the low leg single beam crane to the right side of the first tundish car, and debug the electric hoist and the walking system. If the debugging is correct, wait for it to be ready. Before the continuous casting machine stops pouring, use the overhead crane to place the new crystallizer to be replaced in the temporary storage area of the crystallizer to be replaced. After the continuous casting machine ladle pouring is completed, move the ladle to the steel feeding position and use the overhead crane of the steel feeding span to lift the ladle away. Then, move the ladle turntable to a position perpendicular to the pouring position. After the tundish pouring is completed, the operator will drive the second tundish car to the second tundish car off-line position.
[0009] (2) Replacement stage: close the inlet valve and return valve of the crystallizer, lift away the crystallizer cover, remove the old crystallizer from right to left, install the new crystallizer from left to right, open the inlet valve and return valve of the crystallizer, check the water circuit connection between each flow online crystallizer and the corresponding flow crystallizer vibration device for leakage. If there is no leakage, it is qualified. Lift back the crystallizer cover and install it in place.
[0010] (3) In the final stage, the high-leg single-beam crane and the low-leg single-beam crane are moved to the left side of the second tundish car and put on standby to prepare for the next crystallizer replacement; the ladle is moved to the steel feeding position, and the overhead crane lifts the ladle full of molten steel onto the ladle slewing platform, and then the ladle slewing platform is moved to the pouring position; the first tundish car and the tundish car on it are moved to the ladle pouring position, the ladle pours the molten steel into the tundish, and the molten steel in the tundish is poured into each flow crystallizer, realizing the successful start-up of the multi-machine multi-flow continuous casting machine; the offline crystallizers in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area are hoisted to the repair area for repair by overhead crane when the opportunity arises, and the offline crystallizer temporary storage area is emptied to provide space for the next crystallizer preparation.
[0011] The crystallizer inlet valve and crystallizer return valve are pneumatic shut-off valves.
[0012] In step (2), the old crystallizer is removed from right to left, and all the screws of the online crystallizer are removed from right to left in sequence. The crystallizer with the screws removed on the far right is lifted by a high-leg single beam crane and a low-leg single beam crane and placed in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area. Then, each flow crystallizer is removed from right to left in sequence and placed in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area and arranged in a row.
[0013] In step (2), new crystallizers are installed from left to right. The crystallizers in the temporary storage area of the crystallizer to be replaced are first lifted by a high-leg single beam crane and a low-leg single beam crane and installed on the crystallizer vibration device of the rightmost flow. Then, the crystallizers in the temporary storage area of the crystallizer to be replaced are first lifted by a high-leg single beam crane and a low-leg single beam crane and installed on the crystallizer vibration devices of each flow from left to right. All screws of the online crystallizers are tightened from left to right.
[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By utilizing the track layout of the intermediate ladle car with high and low leg single beams for assembling and disassembling the crystallizer, and operating it on-site with a handheld electric handle, the visibility is good, operation is convenient, safe, and reliable, which can improve the efficiency of crystallizer replacement; the crystallizer inlet valve and crystallizer return valve adopt pneumatic shut-off valves to improve the efficiency of closing and opening, saving time for crystallizer replacement; the crystallizer replacement is divided into three stages: preparation, replacement, and completion. Through scientific planning, the time for pure crystallizer replacement is minimized, and other work can be completed in the preparation stage before the continuous casting machine stops production and in the completion stage after the continuous casting machine stops production. Under the condition of ensuring safety, the efficiency of crystallizer replacement is improved, and the production time of the continuous casting machine is correspondingly increased. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a site layout diagram of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the equipment layout when replacing the crystallizer according to the present invention;
[0017] Figure 3 This is the present invention. Figure 2 The C-direction view;
[0018] Figure 4 This is a top view of the equipment layout before the crystallizer is replaced according to the present invention;
[0019] In the diagram: 1. Ladle turntable; 2. Overhead crane; 3. Second tundish car; 4. Tundish platform; 5. Tundish; 6. Crystallizer vibration device; 7. Crystallizer; 8. High-leg single-beam crane and low-leg single-beam crane; 9. Crystallizer cover; 10. First tundish car; 11. Temporary storage area for crystallizers to be replaced; 12. Temporary storage area for unfinished crystallizers; 13. Second tundish car unfinished position; 14. Casting machine platform; 15. Ladle. Implementation
[0020] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the invention's embodiments clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only a small part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0021] A method for quickly changing the crystallizer in a continuous casting machine includes the following steps:
[0022] (1) Preparation stage: Move the high leg single beam crane and the low leg single beam crane to the right side of the first tundish car, and debug the electric hoist and the walking system. If the debugging is correct, wait for it to be ready. Before the continuous casting machine stops pouring, use the overhead crane to place the new crystallizer to be replaced in the temporary storage area of the crystallizer to be replaced. After the continuous casting machine ladle pouring is completed, move the ladle to the steel feeding position and use the overhead crane of the steel feeding span to lift the ladle away. Then, move the ladle turntable to a position perpendicular to the pouring position. After the tundish pouring is completed, the operator will drive the second tundish car to the second tundish car off-line position.
[0023] (2) Replacement stage: close the inlet valve and return valve of the crystallizer, lift away the crystallizer cover, remove the old crystallizer from right to left, install the new crystallizer from left to right, open the inlet valve and return valve of the crystallizer, check the water circuit connection between each flow online crystallizer and the corresponding flow crystallizer vibration device for leakage. If there is no leakage, it is qualified. Lift back the crystallizer cover and install it in place.
[0024] (3) In the final stage, the high-leg single-beam crane and the low-leg single-beam crane are moved to the left side of the second tundish car and put on standby to prepare for the next crystallizer replacement; the ladle is moved to the steel feeding position, and the overhead crane lifts the ladle full of molten steel onto the ladle slewing platform, and then the ladle slewing platform is moved to the pouring position; the first tundish car and the tundish car on it are moved to the ladle pouring position, the ladle pours the molten steel into the tundish, and the molten steel in the tundish is poured into each flow crystallizer, realizing the successful start-up of the multi-machine multi-flow continuous casting machine; the offline crystallizers in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area are hoisted to the repair area for repair by overhead crane when the opportunity arises, and the offline crystallizer temporary storage area is emptied to provide space for the next crystallizer preparation.
[0025] The crystallizer inlet valve and crystallizer return valve are pneumatic shut-off valves.
[0026] In step (2), the old crystallizer is removed from right to left, and all the screws of the online crystallizer are removed from right to left in sequence. The crystallizer with the screws removed on the far right is lifted by a high-leg single beam crane and a low-leg single beam crane and placed in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area. Then, each flow crystallizer is removed from right to left in sequence and placed in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area and arranged in a row.
[0027] In step (2), new crystallizers are installed from left to right. The crystallizers in the temporary storage area of the crystallizer to be replaced are first lifted by a high-leg single beam crane and a low-leg single beam crane and installed on the crystallizer vibration device of the rightmost flow. Then, the crystallizers in the temporary storage area of the crystallizer to be replaced are first lifted by a high-leg single beam crane and a low-leg single beam crane and installed on the crystallizer vibration devices of each flow from left to right. All screws of the online crystallizers are tightened from left to right.
[0028] In practical applications, this invention utilizes the elevated track for the intermediate ladle car and the track for the casting platform, and designs and installs high-leg single-beam cranes and low-leg single-beam cranes. The high-leg single-beam cranes and low-leg single-beam cranes are used to replace the continuous casting machine crystallizer. Furthermore, the crystallizer inlet valve and crystallizer return valve for each stage of the continuous casting machine are pneumatic shut-off valves to improve the efficiency of closing and opening the crystallizer inlet valve and crystallizer return valve.
[0029] The continuous casting machine platform includes a ladle turret, a first tundish car, a second tundish car, and a tundish platform. Tundishes are mounted on the first and second tundish cars. Multiple crystallizers are located directly below the tundishes. Each flow's crystallizer is mounted on its corresponding crystallizer vibration device. Taking a multi-machine, multi-flow continuous casting machine in production as an example, the method for changing crystallizers is explained. The ladle turret of the multi-machine, multi-flow continuous casting machine is in the pouring position, with ladles being poured. Below it is the second tundish car operating online, with tundishes on it and multiple crystallizers below them. The first tundish car is in standby mode, and its tundish 5 is being baked.
[0030] A method for quickly changing the crystallizer in a continuous casting machine, the method comprising the following steps:
[0031] Step S1: Preparations before changing the crystallizer of a multi-machine, multi-strand continuous casting machine
[0032] 1. Move the high-leg single-beam crane and the low-leg single-beam crane to the right side of the first intermediate truck, and test the electric hoist and the traveling system. Once the test is successful, put them on standby.
[0033] 2. Before the continuous casting machine stops pouring, use an overhead crane to place the new crystallizer to be replaced into the temporary storage area for the crystallizer to be replaced.
[0034] 3. After the continuous casting machine has finished pouring the steel ladle, the operator will move the steel ladle to the steel feeding position and use the overhead crane in the steel feeding span to lift the steel ladle away. Then, the steel ladle turntable will be rotated to a position perpendicular to the pouring position.
[0035] 4. After the tundish pouring is completed, the operator will drive the second tundish car to the second tundish car off-line position.
[0036] Step S2: Replace the crystallizer of the multi-machine, multi-strand continuous casting machine.
[0037] 1. The operator operates the close button of the crystallizer inlet valve and the crystallizer return valve to close the crystallizer inlet valve and the crystallizer return valve.
[0038] 2. The operator lifts away the crystallizer cover and removes all the screws of the online crystallizer from right to left.
[0039] 3. Remove the crystallizers from right to left. Use a high-leg single-beam crane and a low-leg single-beam crane to first lift the rightmost crystallizer with the screws removed and place it in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area. Then, remove each crystallizer from right to left in sequence and place them in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area, arranging them neatly.
[0040] 4. Install the crystallizers from left to right. Use a high-leg single-beam crane and a low-leg single-beam crane to lift the crystallizers in the temporary storage area to be replaced and install them onto the crystallizer vibration device of the rightmost flow. Then, use the high-leg single-beam crane and the low-leg single-beam crane to lift the crystallizers in the temporary storage area to be replaced and install them onto the crystallizer vibration devices of each flow from left to right.
[0041] 5. Operators should tighten all screws on the online crystallizer from left to right.
[0042] 6. The operator operates the opening buttons of the crystallizer inlet valve and the crystallizer return valve to open the crystallizer inlet valve and the crystallizer return valve. Check the water circuit connection between each online crystallizer 7 and the corresponding crystallizer vibration device for leakage. No leakage is acceptable.
[0043] 7. The operator hoists back the crystallizer cover and installs it in place.
[0044] Step S3: Final work on changing the crystallizer of the multi-machine multi-flow continuous casting machine.
[0045] 1. Move the high-leg single-beam crane and the low-leg single-beam crane to the left side of the second intermediate trailer and stand by, in preparation for the next crystallizer replacement.
[0046] 2. The operator moves the ladle to the steel feeding position, and the overhead crane lifts the ladle full of molten steel onto the ladle slewing platform. Then, the ladle slewing platform is moved to the pouring position.
[0047] 3. The operator moves the first intermediate car and its tundish to the ladle pouring position. The ladle pours molten steel into the tundish, and the molten steel in the tundish is then poured into each of the flow crystallizers 7, thus achieving successful start-up of the multi-machine, multi-flow continuous casting machine.
[0048] 4. When the time is right, use an overhead crane to move the offline crystallizers in the temporary storage area to the repair area for repair, thus clearing the temporary storage area and providing space for the next crystallizer preparation. Example
[0049] The specific implementation method is illustrated by taking the replacement of eight online crystallizers on an eight-strand continuous casting machine as an example.
[0050] The eight-strand continuous casting machine has a ladle turret 1, a first tundish car 10, a second tundish car 3, and a tundish platform 4 on its casting platform 14. Tundishes 5 are installed on the first tundish car 10 and the second tundish car 3. Multiple crystallizers 7 are located directly below the tundish 5. Each crystallizer 7 is mounted on a crystallizer vibration device 6 for that flow. Taking an eight-strand continuous casting machine in production as an example, the method for changing crystallizers is explained. The ladle turret is in the pouring position, with ladle 15 being poured. Below it, the second tundish car 3 is operating online, with the tundish 5 on it and multiple crystallizers 7 below it. The first tundish car 10 is in standby mode, and the tundish 5 on it is being baked.
[0051] Includes the following steps:
[0052] Step S1: Preparations before changing the crystallizer of the eighth-strand continuous casting machine
[0053] 1. Move the high-leg single-beam crane and the low-leg single-beam crane 8 to the right side of the first intermediate trailer 10, and test the electric hoist and the traveling system. Once the test is successful, put them on standby.
[0054] 2. Before the continuous casting machine stops pouring, use the overhead crane 2 to place the new crystallizer 7 to be replaced into the temporary storage area 11 for the crystallizer to be replaced.
[0055] 3. After the continuous casting machine ladle is poured, the operator moves the ladle 15 to the steel feeding position and uses the overhead crane of the steel feeding span to lift the ladle 15 away. Then, the ladle turntable 1 is rotated to a position perpendicular to the pouring position.
[0056] 4. After the intermediate ladle 5 is poured, the operator will drive the second intermediate car 3 to the second intermediate ladle car off-line position 13.
[0057] Step S2: Replace the crystallizer of the eight-strand continuous casting machine.
[0058] 8. The operator shall press the close button on the crystallizer inlet valve and the crystallizer return valve to close the crystallizer inlet valve and the crystallizer return valve.
[0059] 9. The operator lifts away the crystallizer cover 9 and removes all the screws of the online crystallizer 7 in sequence from the eighth flow to the first flow (from right to left).
[0060] 10. Remove crystallizer 7 from right to left. Use a high-leg single-beam crane and a low-leg single-beam crane 8 to lift the first crystallizer 7 with the screws removed and place it in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area 12. Then, remove the crystallizer 7 of each stream from the first stream to the eighth stream (from right to left) and place them in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area 12, arranging them neatly.
[0061] 11. Install crystallizer 7 from left to right. Use a high-leg single-beam crane and a low-leg single-beam crane 8 to lift the crystallizer 7 in the temporary storage area 11 to be replaced and install it on the crystallizer vibration device 6 of the eighth stream. Then, use the high-leg single-beam crane and the low-leg single-beam crane 8 to lift the crystallizer 7 in the temporary storage area 11 to be replaced and install it on the crystallizer vibration device 6 of each stream from the eighth stream to the first stream (from left to right).
[0062] 12. Operators shall tighten the screws of all online crystallizers 7 in sequence from the eighth flow to the first flow (from left to right).
[0063] 13. The operator operates the opening buttons of the crystallizer inlet valve and the crystallizer return valve to open the crystallizer inlet valve and the crystallizer return valve, and checks the water circuit connection between each flow online crystallizer 7 and the corresponding flow crystallizer vibration device 6 for leakage. No leakage is acceptable.
[0064] 14. The operator hoists back the crystallizer cover 9 and installs it in place.
[0065] Step S3: Final work on changing the crystallizer of the eight-strand continuous casting machine.
[0066] 1. Move the high-leg single-beam crane and the low-leg single-beam crane 8 to the left side of the second intermediate trailer 3 and stand by, in preparation for the next crystallizer replacement.
[0067] 2. The operator moves the ladle 15 to the steel feeding position, and the overhead crane lifts the ladle 15, which is filled with molten steel, onto the ladle rotund table 1. Then, the ladle rotund table 1 is rotated to the pouring position.
[0068] 3. The operator moves the first intermediate car 10 and its intermediate ladle 5 to the ladle pouring position. The ladle 15 pours molten steel into the intermediate ladle 5, and the molten steel in the intermediate ladle 5 is poured into each of the eight-strand continuous casting machines 7, thus achieving the successful start-up of the eight-strand continuous casting machine.
[0069] 4. The eight crystallizers in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area 12 will be hoisted to the repair area by overhead crane 2 for repair when the time is right, thus emptying the offline crystallizer temporary storage area 12 to provide space for the next crystallizer preparation.
Claims
1. A method for quickly changing the crystallizer in a continuous casting machine, characterized in that... Includes the following steps: (1) Preparation stage: Move the high leg single beam crane and the low leg single beam crane to the right side of the first tundish car, and debug the electric hoist and the walking system. If the debugging is correct, wait for it to be ready. Before the continuous casting machine stops pouring, use the overhead crane to place the new crystallizer to be replaced in the temporary storage area of the crystallizer to be replaced. After the continuous casting machine ladle pouring is completed, move the ladle to the steel feeding position and use the overhead crane of the steel feeding span to lift the ladle away. Then, move the ladle turntable to a position perpendicular to the pouring position. After the tundish pouring is completed, the operator will drive the second tundish car to the second tundish car off-line position. (2) Replacement stage: close the inlet valve and return valve of the crystallizer, lift away the crystallizer cover, remove the old crystallizer from right to left, install the new crystallizer from left to right, open the inlet valve and return valve of the crystallizer, check the water circuit connection between each flow online crystallizer and the corresponding flow crystallizer vibration device for leakage. If there is no leakage, it is qualified. Lift back the crystallizer cover and install it in place. (3) In the final stage, the high-leg single-beam crane and the low-leg single-beam crane are moved to the left side of the second tundish car and put on standby to prepare for the next crystallizer replacement; the ladle is moved to the steel feeding position, and the overhead crane lifts the ladle full of molten steel onto the ladle slewing platform, and then the ladle slewing platform is moved to the pouring position; the first tundish car and the tundish on it are moved to the ladle pouring position, the ladle pours the molten steel into the tundish, and the molten steel in the tundish is poured into each flow crystallizer, realizing the successful start-up of the multi-machine multi-flow continuous casting machine; the offline crystallizers in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area are hoisted to the repair area for repair by overhead crane when the opportunity arises, and the offline crystallizer temporary storage area is emptied to provide space for the next crystallizer preparation.
2. A method of rapid replacement of a mould of a continuous casting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The crystallizer inlet valve and crystallizer return valve are pneumatic shut-off valves.
3. The method for quickly changing the crystallizer in a continuous casting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step (2), the old crystallizer is removed from right to left, and all the screws of the online crystallizer are removed from right to left in sequence. The crystallizer with the screws removed on the far right is lifted by a high-leg single beam crane and a low-leg single beam crane and placed in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area. Then, each flow crystallizer is removed from right to left in sequence and placed in the offline crystallizer temporary storage area and arranged in a row.
4. A method of rapid replacement of a mould of a continuous casting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step (2), new crystallizers are installed from left to right. The crystallizers in the temporary storage area of the crystallizer to be replaced are first lifted by a high-leg single beam crane and a low-leg single beam crane and installed on the crystallizer vibration device of the rightmost flow. Then, the crystallizers in the temporary storage area of the crystallizer to be replaced are first lifted by a high-leg single beam crane and a low-leg single beam crane and installed on the crystallizer vibration devices of each flow from left to right. All screws of the online crystallizers are tightened from left to right.