Method and device for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy, which can suppress the formation of holes, cracks and the like in an ingot through a sufficient and uniform deoxidation reaction and can manufacture high-quality oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy with good surface quality during rolling. Meanwhile, oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy can be manufactured at low cost by reducing fuel cost, and damage to materials contained in a smelting furnace and fire risks can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy, which can suppress the generation of pores, cracks, etc. in an ingot through a sufficient and uniform deoxidation reaction, and can manufacture high-quality oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy with good surface quality during rolling, and can manufacture oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy at a low cost by reducing fuel costs, and can reduce damage to materials installed in a furnace and the risk of fire. Background Art

[0002] If there is oxygen in copper (Cu), H2O is generated by the reaction of Cu2O and hydrogen, which causes hydrogen embrittlement and reduces corrosion resistance. Therefore, copper (Cu) that has been oxygen removed to less than about 10 ppm using a deoxidizer is called oxygen-free copper (Oxygen-Free Copper; OFC).

[0003] Recently, oxygen-free copper (OFC) wires are being used to improve the performance and reliability of electric vehicle motor windings, solar cell module conductors, transformer windings, submarine cables, etc. In particular, with the growth of the electric vehicle and solar energy markets, the demand for oxygen-free copper (OFC) is expected to increase. With the miniaturization of electronic devices, oxygen-free copper (OFC) wires are required to be thinner, and the improvement of the ductility and processability of oxygen-free copper (OFC) has attracted much attention.

[0004] Methods for manufacturing oxygen-free copper (OFC) wire include: a deep forming method in which oxygen-free copper is solidified on the outer periphery of a mandrel and continuously rolled; a lifting forming method in which an oxygen-free copper mold is vertically arranged and an ingot solidified by cooling in the mold is continuously lifted; a horizontal continuous casting method in which a mold is horizontally arranged on the side wall of a casting furnace and an ingot solidified by cooling the oxygen-free copper in the mold is continuously drawn out.

[0005] However, since the production speed in this existing oxygen-free copper manufacturing method is less than 10 tons / hour (ton / hr), when manufacturing tough copper wire with an oxygen content of more than 100 ppm, a belt & wheel continuous casting and rolling method with a production speed of more than 30 tons / hour, also known as the SCR (Southwire Continuous Rod) method, is used.

[0006] The belt & wheel continuous casting and rolling method is a method in which molten copper discharged from a shaft furnace is poured into a rotating mold formed between a wheel and a belt, and solidified by cooling to produce an ingot, which is then continuously drawn out and directly continuously rolled to produce a wire rod.

[0007] In particular, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4593397 discloses a continuous casting and rolling method that utilizes a rotating movable mold that performs deoxidation treatment based on reducing gas and hydrogen concentration adjustment based on inert gas from a melting furnace to casting, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3552043 discloses a belt & wheel type continuous casting and rolling method that includes a bucket for transporting molten copper taken out of a melting furnace and a turntable for injecting the molten copper into a rotating movable mold configured with a solid reducing agent.

[0008] However, when performing the deoxidation method using reducing gas, incomplete combustion must be caused in order to increase the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) as the reducing gas in the furnace. This incomplete combustion increases fuel costs and increases the manufacturing cost of the oxygen-free copper wire. At the same time, the inventor has confirmed through literature that when the deoxidation reaction caused by reducing gas is performed in the furnace for a long time, carbon monoxide (CO) as the reducing gas can damage the internal materials of the inner wall of the furnace, and it has been actually confirmed that the internal materials will wear out quickly during long-term operation.

[0009] In addition, when a solid reducing agent is arranged on a barrel for conveying molten copper from a melting furnace and a turntable for injecting the molten copper into a rotating mold, it is difficult to ensure deoxidation performance due to the short contact time between the molten copper and the solid deoxidizer, and oxygen deviation is large. In addition, there is a high possibility that foreign matter such as the solid deoxidizer flows into the manufactured oxygen-free copper wire, resulting in a high possibility of holes, cracks, etc. in the ingot, and the surface quality of the wire may be poor during rolling.

[0010] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method and apparatus for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloys that can suppress the formation of pores, cracks, etc. in the ingot through a sufficient and uniform deoxidation reaction, can manufacture high-quality oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloys with good surface quality during rolling, can manufacture oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloys at low cost by reducing fuel costs, and can reduce damage to materials inside the furnace and the risk of fire. Summary of the invention

[0011] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy, which can suppress the generation of pores, cracks, etc. in an ingot by a sufficient and uniform deoxidation reaction, and can produce high-quality oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy with good surface quality during rolling.

[0013] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloys which can produce oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloys at low cost by reducing fuel costs and can reduce damage to materials inside a melting furnace and the risk of fire.

[0014] Technical solutions to the problem

[0015] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy, which comprises: a step of putting a copper or copper alloy material and a solid deoxidizer into a melting furnace to melt and deoxidize the copper or copper alloy material; a step of conveying the deoxidized copper or copper alloy melt through a conveying pipe; a step of discharging the conveyed copper or copper alloy melt into a casting machine through a pour pot; and a step of manufacturing the copper or copper alloy melt into an ingot in the casting machine.

[0016] Here, a method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the solid deoxidizer includes one or more selected from the group consisting of graphite, charcoal, activated carbon and coke.

[0017] In addition, a method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the input amount of the solid deoxidizer is 1 kg / ton or more and 6 kg / ton or less based on the input amount of the copper or copper alloy material.

[0018] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the size of the solid deoxidizer is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 30 mm.

[0019] Furthermore, a method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein a dust collector is additionally provided on the upper portion of the melting furnace.

[0020] On the other hand, a method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) inside the melting furnace is adjusted to be 3.5 volume % or less.

[0021] In addition, a method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the solid deoxidizer stays in the furnace for 5 minutes to 2 hours.

[0022] In addition, a method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, characterized in that an outlet flame gun and an outlet burner are provided at the discharge port of the inverted pot, the outlet flame gun applies flame in order to isolate (sealing) the copper or copper alloy melt discharged to the casting machine from the outside, and the outlet burner applies flame in order to melt and remove the copper or copper alloy melt fixedly attached to the outer surface of the discharge port again.

[0023] Here, a method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the conveying pipe includes: an upper slag vessel for removing impurities generated when the copper or copper alloy material is melted or slag of the solid deoxidizer; a holding furnace for maintaining the temperature of the copper or copper alloy melt and performing a buffer function for compensating for the difference between the ingot production speed and the melting speed; and a lower slag vessel for removing impurities floating above the copper or copper alloy melt.

[0024] Here, a method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, characterized in that the shape of the discharge port connected to the holding furnace in the upper slag container is set to be wider than the height, or a partition wall is provided on the upper part of the discharge port.

[0025] In addition, a method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, characterized in that the carbon monoxide concentration is adjusted to be greater than 2.5 volume % and less than 4.0 volume % at at least one location selected from the group consisting of the holding furnace, the lower slag container and the inverted pot.

[0026] Furthermore, a method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein a bubbler for injecting an inert gas into the copper or copper alloy melt is provided in the lower slag container.

[0027] Here, a method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the inert gas includes argon or nitrogen.

[0028] In addition, a method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, characterized in that the casting machine includes a mobile mold casting machine, the mobile mold casting machine includes a rotating casting wheel and a belt separated from the surface of the casting wheel by a specified interval; the method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy further includes the step of continuously rolling the ingot manufactured in the casting machine by a rolling mill.

[0029] In another aspect, provided is oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy produced by a method for producing oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy.

[0030] Here, an oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the alloy is in the form of a rod, a bar or an ingot.

[0031] On the other hand, a manufacturing device for oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, characterized in that it includes: a melting furnace for melting copper or copper alloy material; a conveying pipe for conveying the molten copper or copper alloy melted in the melting furnace; a pouring pot for discharging the molten copper or copper alloy conveyed through the conveying pipe; and a casting machine for manufacturing ingots by cooling the molten copper or copper alloy discharged from the pouring pot; and a solid deoxidizer is put into the melting furnace together with the copper or copper alloy material.

[0032] Here, a device for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the solid deoxidizer includes one or more selected from the group consisting of graphite, charcoal, activated carbon, and coke.

[0033] In addition, a device for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the input amount of the solid deoxidizer is 1 kg / ton or more and 6 kg / ton or less based on the input amount of the copper or copper alloy material.

[0034] In addition, a device for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the size of the solid deoxidizer is greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 30 mm.

[0035] Furthermore, a device for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein a dust collector is additionally provided on the upper portion of the melting furnace.

[0036] In addition, a device for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration inside the melting furnace is adjusted to 3.5 volume % or less.

[0037] In addition, a manufacturing device for oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the solid deoxidizer stays in the furnace for 5 minutes to 2 hours.

[0038] On the other hand, a manufacturing device for oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, characterized in that an outlet flame gun and an outlet burner are provided at the discharge port of the pouring pot, the outlet flame gun applies flame in order to isolate (sealing) the copper or copper alloy melt discharged to the casting machine from the outside, and the outlet burner applies flame in order to melt and remove the copper or copper alloy melt fixedly attached to the outer surface of the discharge port again.

[0039] In addition, a manufacturing apparatus for oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, characterized in that the conveying pipe includes: an upper slag vessel for removing impurities generated when the copper or copper alloy material is melted or slag of the solid deoxidizer; a holding furnace for maintaining the temperature of the copper or copper alloy melt and performing a buffer function for compensating for the difference between the ingot production speed and the melting speed; and a lower slag vessel for removing impurities floating above the copper or copper alloy melt.

[0040] Here, a manufacturing device for oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, characterized in that the shape of the discharge port connected to the holding furnace in the upper slag container is set to be wider than the height, or a partition wall is provided on the upper part of the discharge port.

[0041] In addition, a manufacturing device for oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, characterized in that the carbon monoxide concentration is adjusted to be greater than 2.5 volume % and less than 4.0 volume % at at least one location selected from the group consisting of the holding furnace, the lower slag container and the inverted pot.

[0042] Furthermore, a device for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein a bubbler for injecting an inert gas into the copper or copper alloy melt is provided in the lower slag container.

[0043] In addition, a manufacturing device for oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, wherein the inert gas contains argon or nitrogen.

[0044] On the other hand, a manufacturing device for oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy is provided, characterized in that the casting machine includes a mobile mold casting machine, the mobile mold casting machine includes a rotating casting wheel and a belt separated from the surface of the casting wheel by a specified interval; the manufacturing device for oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy further includes a rolling machine for continuously rolling the ingot manufactured in the casting machine.

[0045] Effects of the Invention

[0046] The method and apparatus for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy of the present invention have the following excellent effects: a solid deoxidizer is applied in a furnace instead of a barrel or a turntable, thereby being able to suppress the generation of pores, cracks, etc. in the ingot through a sufficient and uniform deoxidation reaction, and being able to produce high-quality oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy with good surface quality during rolling.

[0047] In addition, the method and apparatus for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy of the present invention have the following excellent effects: since there are not many deoxidation reactions caused by reducing gas in the furnace, it is possible to prevent the increase in fuel costs and manufacturing costs caused by incomplete combustion for generating reducing gas, while suppressing the damage to the internal materials of the furnace caused by reducing gas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an apparatus for producing oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy according to the present invention.

[0049] Figure 2 It is enlarged to show Figure 1 A diagram of the shape of the medium furnace.

[0050] Figure 3 It is enlarged to show Figure 1 Diagram of the morphology of the upper and middle slag containers.

[0051] Figure 4 It is enlarged to show Figure 1 Diagram of the morphology of the middle and lower slag containers.

[0052] Figure 5 It is enlarged to show Figure 1 A diagram of the shape of an inverted pot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and may also be implemented in other forms. Instead, the embodiments introduced herein are provided to make the disclosed content thorough and complete, and to fully convey the idea of ​​the present invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals represent the same constituent elements.

[0054] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an apparatus for producing oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy according to the present invention.

[0055] use Figure 1 The method for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy of the present invention of the device shown may include: a step of putting copper or copper alloy material and a solid deoxidizer into a melting furnace 100 to melt and deoxidize the copper or copper alloy material; a step of conveying the deoxidized copper or copper alloy melt through a conveying pipe 200; a step of spitting the conveyed copper or copper alloy melt into a casting machine 400 through a pouring pot 300; and a step of manufacturing the copper or copper alloy melt into an ingot in the casting machine 400; and may further include a step of continuously rolling the ingot through a rolling mill 500.

[0056] Figure 2 It is enlarged to show Figure 1Figure 100 of the furnace.

[0057] Specifically, in the step of melting and deoxidizing the copper or copper alloy material, Figure 2 The upper part of the shaft furnace 110 shown is charged with copper or copper alloy materials, preferably electric copper plates and solid deoxidizers, through an inlet 120. In a state where the electric copper plates and the solid deoxidizers are alternately stacked, the temperature can be maintained at about 1090 to 1150° C. by using the combustion heat of the combustion gas through a burner 130 arranged in one or more layers at the lower part, so that the copper or copper alloy materials are melted and deoxidized.

[0058] In addition, a dust collector 140 for sucking dust generated by melting inside the furnace 110 and a scattering prevention device for preventing relatively small solid deoxidizers from scattering may be additionally provided on the upper portion of the furnace 110 .

[0059] Conventionally, when a solid deoxidizer was introduced into a vertical continuous melting furnace, the solid deoxidizer floated on the upper part of the molten copper due to the difference in specific gravity, and unmelted or only partially molten copper or copper alloy material was introduced and stacked on the upper part of the molten copper, so that a sufficient deoxidation reaction caused by sufficient contact between the molten copper and the solid deoxidizer was difficult to occur. Therefore, the solid deoxidizer was applied to the conveying pipe for conveying the copper or copper alloy melt discharged from the melting furnace or to the pouring pot discharged to the casting machine. However, the inventors confirmed through experiments that, on the contrary, a sufficient and uniform deoxidation reaction can be caused when the solid deoxidizer is applied to the melting furnace, thereby completing the present invention.

[0060] The solid deoxidizer can be added together with the copper or copper alloy material or can be added alternately and repeatedly into the furnace 100. The amount of the solid deoxidizer added can be adjusted to be greater than 1 kg / ton and less than 6 kg / ton based on the amount of the copper or copper alloy material added. The added solid deoxidizer stays in the furnace 100 for about 5 minutes to 2 hours.

[0061] Here, when the input amount of the solid deoxidizer is less than 1 kg / ton, the oxygen content in the manufactured ingot is too high due to insufficient deoxidation reaction of the solid deoxidizer, which may cause holes, cracks, etc. and may cause reduced surface quality during rolling.

[0062] On the other hand, in the case where the input amount of the solid deoxidizer exceeds 6 kg / ton, the excess solid deoxidizer that does not disappear from the furnace 100 and is transported to the conveying pipe 200 together with the copper melt may not only cause overflow of the copper melt in the conveying pipe 200, but also because the excess solid deoxidizer disappears due to combustion in the furnace 100, excessive smoke and micro sparks of combustion are sucked into the dust collector that can be additionally installed on the upper part of the furnace 100, which may cause a fire.

[0063] The size of the solid deoxidizer may be less than 30 mm, for example, 0.5 mm to 30 mm, preferably 1 mm to 30 mm, and may preferably include one or more selected from the group consisting of graphite, charcoal, activated carbon, and coke, more preferably graphite or graphite. For reference, the size of the solid deoxidizer refers to the diameter of a sphere having the same volume.

[0064] Here, when the size of the solid deoxidizer is less than 1 mm, the solid deoxidizer is sucked into the dust collector provided at the upper portion of the furnace 100 due to the gas pressure rising upward in the furnace 100, which may cause a fire or a failure of the dust collector. On the other hand, when the size of the solid deoxidizer exceeds 30 mm, the solid deoxidizer is not burned in the furnace 100 but is conveyed together with the copper melt and partially blocks the conveying passage, which may cause an overflow of the copper melt.

[0065] The furnace 100 generates combustion gas when burning fuel by means of burners arranged in one or more layers at the lower part. The concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) generated by incomplete combustion is adjusted to below 1.5 volume % based on the total volume of the combustion gas, thereby preventing or minimizing damage to the internal materials of the inner wall of the furnace 100 caused by the carbon monoxide (CO).

[0066] On the other hand, in the step of conveying the deoxidized copper or copper alloy melt through the conveying pipe 200, the temperature is maintained at 1100°C to 1200°C by utilizing the combustion heat generated by burning fuel in the conveying pipe 200, thereby maintaining the molten state of the copper or copper alloy melt ejected from the melting furnace 100 and conveying it to the pouring pot 300.

[0067] For example, the conveying pipe 200 may include: an upper slag vessel 210 for removing impurities generated when the copper or copper alloy material is melted or slag of the solid deoxidizer; a holding furnace 220 for maintaining the temperature of the copper or copper alloy melt and performing a function of a buffer for compensating for the difference between an ingot production speed and a melting speed; and a lower slag vessel 230 for removing impurities floating above the copper or copper alloy melt.

[0068] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view showing the state of the upper slag container.

[0069] In particular, the portion of the upper slag container 210 connected to the holding furnace 220 has an open discharge port 211 so that the copper or copper alloy melt can be conveyed to the holding furnace 220. A partition 212 for blocking the solid deoxidizer from overflowing to the holding furnace 220 may be provided above the discharge port 211 to prevent the solid deoxidizer floating on the upper portion of the copper or copper alloy melt from overflowing to the holding furnace 220. On the other hand, the discharge port 211 may be shaped so that the width is longer than the height instead of the partition 212. As described above, it is important to prevent the solid deoxidizer from overflowing to the holding furnace 220 because, after the solid deoxidizer is conveyed to the holding furnace 220, overflow may be caused in the conveying furnace of the copper or copper alloy melt. Here, the upper surface of the discharge port 211 may be located on the same line or lower than the lower surface of the opening 213 described later.

[0070] Here, the reason why the opening portion 213 as described above is provided in front of the upper slag container 210 is that the gas generated when the copper or copper alloy melt is manufactured can be discharged through the opening portion 213, and a part of the solid deoxidizer can be discharged, thereby suppressing the overflow of the copper or copper alloy melt in the upper slag container 210.

[0071] In particular, a solid deoxidizer floating on the copper or copper alloy melt is stacked in the open portion 213 , and together with the positive pressure caused by the internal gas of the upper slag container 210 , it is possible to prevent air from penetrating into the upper slag container 210 from the outside.

[0072] In addition, at at least one position selected from the group consisting of the upper slag container 210, the holding furnace 220 and the lower slag container 230, the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) is adjusted to be greater than 1.5 volume % and less than 4.0 volume % by incomplete combustion of the fuel, thereby being able to further limit the oxygen concentration of the ingot by initiating an additional deoxidation reaction based on carbon monoxide (CO) as a reducing gas.

[0073] In addition, at least one position selected from the group consisting of the upper slag container 210, the holding furnace 220 and the lower slag container 230, preferably the lower slag container 230 may be additionally provided with a Figure 4 A bubbler 231 for injecting inert gas into the copper or copper alloy melt is provided on the upper surface of the lower slag container 230 in a direction perpendicular to the ground, thereby improving the structural stability and operability of the lower slag container 230.

[0074] Inert gas such as argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N2) is injected into the copper or copper alloy melt through the bubbler 230, so that hydrogen (H2) remaining in the copper or copper alloy melt can be discharged. When the concentration of the residual hydrogen (H2) is high, there is a problem that holes, cracks, etc. may occur in the ingot or surface defects may occur during rolling. Therefore, the concentration of oxygen (O2) and the concentration of hydrogen (H2) in the copper or copper alloy melt are inversely proportional, so it is preferred to reduce the residual hydrogen (H2) concentration by injecting an inert gas into the lower slag container 230 where the oxygen (O2) concentration is kept lowest and the hydrogen (H2) concentration is kept highest in the deoxidation reaction.

[0075] On the other hand, in the step of discharging the transported copper or copper alloy melt into the casting machine 400 through the pouring pot 300, the copper or copper alloy melt transported through the delivery pipe 200 is injected into the casting machine 400, and the pouring pot 300 uses the combustion heat generated by the burning fuel like the delivery pipe 200 to keep the copper or copper alloy melt in a molten state and inject it into the casting machine 400.

[0076] Here, after being discharged from the discharge port of the pouring pot 300, the copper or copper alloy melt before being injected into the casting machine 400 is exposed to the outside air, thereby oxygen or other impurities may be mixed in. Figure 5 As shown, in order to seal the copper or copper alloy melt injected into the casting machine 400 from the outside air, an outlet flame gun 320 for applying flame to the periphery of the copper or copper alloy melt may be additionally provided at the outlet of the pouring pot 300 .

[0077] In addition, because the copper or copper alloy melt ejected from the outlet of the inverted pot 300 can splash and adhere to and solidify on the outer surface of the outlet, in order to melt and remove the fixedly attached copper or copper alloy melt again, an outlet burner 330 that applies flame to the outlet surface can be further provided, and the direction of the flame applied from the outlet burner 330 can be set to a direction perpendicular to the direction of the flame applied from the outlet flame gun 320 to prevent the respective flames from directly interfering with each other.

[0078] In the step of manufacturing the copper or copper alloy melt into an ingot in the casting machine 400, the casting machine 400 may include a mobile mold casting machine, which includes a rotating casting wheel 410 and a belt 420 arranged at a specified interval from the surface of the casting wheel. The copper or copper alloy melt ejected from the pouring pot 300 is injected into the space formed between the casting wheel 410 and the belt 420 and is cooled and solidified to form an ingot. The formed ingot can be maintained at a temperature above 900°C and transported to the rolling mill 500, and is continuously rolled to be manufactured into a wire form.

[0079] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, it is mentioned that Figure 1 The casting method of the belt & wheel type mobile mold casting machine composed of the belt 420 and the wheel 410 shown is not limited to this casting method, but various casting methods such as the casting method of the so-called double-belt type mobile mold casting machine composed of a belt and a belt (refer to Japanese Patent Publication No. 5137642) and the casting method using a continuous casting machine (refer to U.S. Patent Publication No. 5037471) can be applied.

[0080] Therefore, the method and apparatus for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy of the present invention have the following excellent effects: a solid deoxidizer is applied in the furnace 100 instead of in the conveying pipe 200 or the pouring pot 300, thereby being able to suppress the generation of pores, cracks, etc. in the ingot through a sufficient and uniform deoxidation reaction, and being able to manufacture high-quality oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy with good surface quality during rolling.

[0081] In addition, the method and apparatus for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy of the present invention have the following excellent effects: since the deoxidation reaction caused by the reducing gas is not performed in the furnace 100, it is possible to prevent the increase in fuel costs and manufacturing costs caused by incomplete combustion, while suppressing the damage to the internal materials of the furnace caused by the reducing gas.

[0082] [Example]

[0083] 1. Overflow and oxygen concentration evaluation based on the amount of solid deoxidizer added

[0084] As shown in Table 1 below, the amount of solid deoxidizer added to the furnace was changed, and whether the copper melt overflowed in the transfer pipe and the oxygen concentration of the produced oxygen-free copper were evaluated.

[0085]

Table 1

[0086]

[0087] As shown in Table 1, it was confirmed that, when the amount of solid deoxidizer added was less than 1 kg / ton, the oxygen concentration of the ingot increased and oxygen-free copper could not be produced. On the other hand, when the amount of solid deoxidizer added exceeded 6 kg / ton, the excess solid deoxidizer was transported to the transport pipe together with the copper melt, at least partially blocking the passage and causing overflow of the copper melt.

[0088] On the other hand, in the case of Examples 1 to 6 in which the input amount of the solid deoxidizer was 1 kg / ton or more and 6 kg / ton or less, the oxygen concentration was kept at 10 ppm or less, the conditions for being an oxygen-free copper wire were met, and high-quality oxygen-free copper wires could be stably manufactured by appropriately adjusting the input amount, and overflow of the copper melt could be prevented.

[0089] 2. Overflow and dust collector filter failure evaluation based on solid deoxidizer particle size

[0090] As shown in Table 2 below, the average particle size of the solid deoxidizer introduced into the furnace was changed, and it was evaluated whether the copper melt overflowed in the transfer pipe, especially in the upper slag container, and whether the dust collector filter installed on the upper part of the furnace failed.

[0091]

Table 2

[0092]

[0093] As shown in Table 2, when the average particle size of graphite as a solid deoxidizer exceeded 30 mm, overflow was observed in the upper slag container. Moreover, when it was less than 1 mm, the solid deoxidizer was quickly sucked into the dust collector and there was a possibility of causing failure of the dust collector filter.

[0094] This specification is described with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but those skilled in the art may implement various modifications and changes to the present invention without departing from the scope of the concept and field of the present invention as described in the following claims. Therefore, as long as the implementation of the variation basically includes the constituent elements of the scope of the claims of the present invention, it should be regarded as being included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy, wherein: include: The step of placing copper or copper alloy material and solid deoxidizer into a melting furnace to melt and deoxidize the copper or copper alloy material; The step of conveying the deoxidized copper or copper alloy melt through the conveying pipe; The step of discharging the conveyed copper or copper alloy melt into a casting machine by pouring the pot; and The step of manufacturing an ingot from the copper or copper alloy melt in the casting machine.

2. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solid deoxidizer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of graphite, charcoal, activated carbon, and coke.

3. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The input amount of the solid deoxidizer is 1 kg / ton or more and 6 kg / ton or less based on the input amount of the copper or copper alloy material.

4. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The size of the solid deoxidizer is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 30 mm.

5. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: A dust collector is additionally provided on the upper portion of the melting furnace.

6. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The concentration of carbon monoxide in the furnace is adjusted to 3.5% by volume or less.

7. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The solid deoxidizer stays in the furnace for 5 minutes to 2 hours.

8. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: An outlet flamethrower and an outlet burner are provided at the outlet of the pouring pot. The outlet flamethrower applies flame to isolate the copper or copper alloy melt discharged to the casting machine from the outside, and the outlet burner applies flame to melt and remove the copper or copper alloy melt fixed to the outer surface of the outlet again.

9. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The delivery pipe comprises: an upper slag container for removing impurities generated when the copper or copper alloy material is melted or slag of the solid deoxidizer; a holding furnace that maintains the temperature of the copper or copper alloy melt and performs a function as a buffer that compensates for the difference between an ingot production speed and a melting speed; and The lower slag container removes impurities floating above the copper or copper alloy melt.

10. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 9, characterized in that: The shape of the discharge port of the upper slag container connected to the holding furnace is set to be wider than the height, or a partition wall is provided on the upper part of the discharge port.

11. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 9, characterized in that: At at least one location selected from the group consisting of the holding furnace, the lower slag container, and the pouring pot, the carbon monoxide concentration is adjusted to be more than 2.5 volume % and not more than 4.0 volume %.

12. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 9, characterized in that: The lower slag container is provided with a bubbler for injecting an inert gas into the copper or copper alloy melt.

13. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 12, characterized in that: The inert gas includes argon or nitrogen.

14. The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The casting machine comprises a mobile mold casting machine, the mobile mold casting machine comprising a rotating casting wheel and a belt spaced apart from a surface of the casting wheel by a specified interval; The method for producing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy further includes the step of continuously rolling the ingot produced in the casting machine by a rolling mill. 15 . Oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy produced by the method for producing oxygen-free copper or an oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 1 .

16. The oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 15, characterized in that: The alloy is in the form of rods, bars or ingots.

17. A device for manufacturing oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy, characterized in that: include: A furnace to melt copper or copper alloy materials; a conveying pipe for conveying the copper or copper alloy melt melted in the furnace; inverting the pot to spit out the copper or copper alloy melt conveyed through the conveying pipe; and a casting machine for manufacturing an ingot by cooling the copper or copper alloy melt discharged from the pouring pot; A solid deoxidizer is introduced into the furnace together with the copper or copper alloy material.

18. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 17, characterized in that: The solid deoxidizer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of graphite, charcoal, activated carbon, and coke.

19. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 18, characterized in that: The input amount of the solid deoxidizer is 1 kg / ton or more and 6 kg / ton or less based on the input amount of the copper or copper alloy material.

20. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 18, characterized in that: The size of the solid deoxidizer is greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 30 mm.

21. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that: A dust collector is additionally provided on the upper portion of the melting furnace.

22. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that: The carbon monoxide concentration inside the furnace is adjusted to 3.5 volume % or less.

23. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that: The solid deoxidizer stays in the furnace for 5 minutes to 2 hours.

24. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that: An outlet flamethrower and an outlet burner are provided at the outlet of the pouring pot. The outlet flamethrower applies flame to isolate the copper or copper alloy melt discharged to the casting machine from the outside, and the outlet burner applies flame to melt and remove the copper or copper alloy melt fixed to the outer surface of the outlet again.

25. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that: The delivery pipe comprises: an upper slag container for removing impurities generated when the copper or copper alloy material is melted or slag of the solid deoxidizer; a holding furnace that maintains the temperature of the copper or copper alloy melt and performs a function as a buffer that compensates for the difference between an ingot production speed and a melting speed; and The lower slag container removes impurities floating above the copper or copper alloy melt.

26. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 25, characterized in that: The shape of the discharge port connected to the holding furnace in the upper slag container is set to be wider than the height, or a partition wall is provided on the upper part of the discharge port.

27. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 25, characterized in that: At at least one location selected from the group consisting of the holding furnace, the lower slag container, and the pouring pot, the carbon monoxide concentration is adjusted to be more than 2.5 volume % and not more than 4.0 volume %.

28. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 25, characterized in that: The lower slag container is provided with a bubbler for injecting an inert gas into the copper or copper alloy melt.

29. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to claim 25, characterized in that: The inert gas includes argon or nitrogen.

30. The manufacturing device of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that: The casting machine comprises a mobile mold casting machine, the mobile mold casting machine comprising a rotating casting wheel and a belt spaced apart from a surface of the casting wheel by a specified interval; The manufacturing apparatus of oxygen-free copper or oxygen-free copper alloy further includes a rolling mill that continuously rolls the ingot manufactured in the casting machine.

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