Continuous casting apparatus for metal products and related process

Abstract

A continuous casting apparatus for metal products, comprising: an ingot mold (1) comprising a crystallizer (7); a casting curve (2) arranged downstream of the ingot mould (1) and comprising a first set of receiving sections (4) through which the product is conveyed from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position; a straightening system arranged in the horizontal extension of the device after the casting curve (2) and comprising at least one straightening section (5) arranged downstream of the first group of receiving sections (4); a second group of receiving sections (4 ') arranged in the horizontal extension downstream of the at least one straightening section (5), a reheating furnace (6) arranged downstream of the second group of receiving sections (4'), a quenching group (3) being arranged immediately downstream of the at least one straightening section (5).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous casting plant for metal products and to the related process. The solution of the present invention is applicable both to the casting and cutting to size of slabs (roll-to-roll or semi-toroidal mode) and to the transport of bars cast in toroidal mode. However, the solution of the present invention can also be applied to billets and blooms cast in billet-to-billet, semi-toroidal or toroidal mode. BACKGROUND

[0002] The steel industry as a whole emits into the atmosphere about 7% of the total amount of carbon dioxide in the world. This contribution is particularly due to the production of steel from a complete cycle, i.e. first processing of iron ore in a blast furnace producing cast iron (carbon content greater than 2.06%), followed by processing in a converter (BOF), which uses oxygen to oxidize the excess carbon, bringing it to the appropriate level of the steel alloy (not greater than 2.06%). The carbon dioxide yield per ton produced in the complete cycle can be as high as 1800-1900 kg.

[0003] In order to reduce these emissions, the use of electric furnaces, which use recycled scrap as raw material, is increasingly replacing the complete cycle, with a lower carbon dioxide emission since the steel base is already ready and only melting and steel grade adjustment operations are required.

[0004] However, the demand for scrap supply in electric furnaces is increasingly high. In fact, blast furnaces are supplied with iron ore, whose availability is consistent; on the contrary, electric furnaces are mainly supplied with scrap, which, despite the high availability, is lower than iron ore and, from a territorial point of view, is also less stable.

[0005] By increasing the number of electric furnaces used, the competition to purchase scrap, in particular to purchase high-quality scrap less contaminated by impurities (impurity elements), is intensified.

[0006] Although different impurities (such as phosphorus) can be removed during melting, other impurities, in particular copper, cannot be removed. Therefore, the only possibility to improve the quality of the bath produced from low-quality scrap containing a high amount of copper is to dilute it with steel of better quality.

[0007] The presence of copper in the steel can create quality problems in the products subsequently cast. In particular, when a cast product with a given copper content solidifies, a defect known as "hot shortness" occurs.

[0008] When the steel to be cast begins to solidify, crystals form independently of each other. These crystals are distributed throughout the metal and are randomly oriented. They are called grains and the interface between them is called grain boundary. It is known that the characteristics and arrangement of these grain boundaries strongly influence the general behavior of the solidified steel, thus affecting its mechanical properties.

[0009] However, as the molten steel solidifies, the copper impurities tend to segregate at the grain boundaries, causing discontinuities. These impurities have a lower melting point than the steel itself, and when the product is reheated after solidification downstream of the casting to restore a sufficient rolling temperature (for example 1100°C), the impurities melt early, forming a liquid or semi-liquid film, which penetrates the interstices between the grains and the irregularities on the surface.

[0010] Furthermore, as the product is reheated, a portion of the surface of the product is detached due to oxidation, leaving unoxidized copper on the product, which therefore further penetrates said interstices and irregularities.

[0011] Considering that rolling is a process that causes deformation of the grains, and considering that there is a liquid copper phase between adjacent grains, when the product is rolled, cracks are generated, producing surface cracks of size from 10-20 microns to 100 microns, thus making the final product unsuitable for use in external environments and increasing the likelihood of developing corrosion-related defects.

[0012] In view of the above, in the context of an increasingly competitive scrap supply and rising prices due to increased demand, it is easy to understand how to study solutions in order to be able to use lower quality scrap. However, since the copper content in the steel recast each time increases, it is necessary to adjust the technology to limit the problems caused by the increase in copper concentration in the scrap.

[0013] Currently, in order to limit the "hot shortness" defects, a product quenching treatment has been developed, which is immediately upstream of the reheating furnace.

[0014] Once the product has been cast and completely solidified, before being introduced into the reheating furnace to reach a suitable rolling temperature, it is subjected to a quenching treatment by means of a suitable section equipped with nozzles suitable for spraying water on the product with an increased flow rate and pressure. This quenching treatment causes a phase change on the surface of the product, from austenitic to ferritic, forming a finer grain structure, which is therefore less permeable to copper in the subsequent in-furnace heating.

[0015] The main disadvantage of the known type of quenching solution lies in the degree of severity of the cooling treatment, which is carried out in a limited range of the product path. In particular, the quenching treatment is carried out immediately before entering the reheating furnace, within the last containment section of the metal product provided in the horizontal extension of the plant, or downstream of said last containment section, for the reasons mentioned above, rapidly reducing the surface temperature of the product, but increasing the risk of forming cracks in particularly sensitive steels.

[0016] Moreover, in the last containment segment, i.e. in the last segment of the secondary cooling, the product is now completely solidified along its entire cross section, whereby the heat lost by quenching must be recovered in the reheating furnace and subsequently energy is consumed in order to allow the subsequent rolling at temperatures suitable for the correct operation.

[0017] Therefore, it is felt the need to make a casting plant and related process able to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks. SUMMARY

[0018] The aim of the present invention is to make a continuous casting plant in which the positioning of the quenching group is such that the relative treatment is carried out in the areas where the product is not completely solidified, determining a significant energy saving in the subsequent reheating furnace.

[0019] Another aim of the present invention is to make a continuous casting plant in which the configuration of the quenching group is able to reduce the risk of forming cracks in the subsequent rolling, especially in particularly sensitive steels.

[0020] Another aim of the present invention is to make a continuous casting process which allows to reduce the hot shortness defects in the product, while at the same time limiting, in any case, the thermal energy which the reheating furnace must impart to the product during the post-quenching thermal recovery before the rolling of the product.

[0021] Another aim of the present invention is to make a continuous casting process in which the quenching treatment is more flexible, suitable for different types of steel, modular, more environmentally friendly.

[0022] Another aim of the present invention is to make a continuous casting process which can save thermal energy, thus reducing energy consumption and emissions.

[0023] The present invention achieves these aims and others, which will become apparent as the description proceeds, by means of a continuous casting plant of a metal product, comprising, according to the present description: an ingot mould comprising a crystallizer; a casting curve arranged downstream of the ingot mould and comprising a first group of containment segments through which the product is conveyed from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position; a straightening system provided in a horizontal extension of the plant following said casting curve and comprising at least one straightening segment arranged downstream of said first group of containment segments; a second group of containment segments arranged in said horizontal extension downstream of said at least one straightening segment; a reheating furnace arranged downstream of said second group of containment segments; wherein a quenching group is provided immediately downstream of said at least one straightening segment.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present application, a continuous casting process is provided, which can be carried out by the above described plant, comprising the following steps: a) casting a metal product through an ingot mould and making it pass through a first group of containing sections, said metal product being conveyed from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position; b) straightening the metal product in said at least one straightening section in a horizontal extension of said plant, after said casting curve; c) immediately downstream of step b), carrying out a quenching treatment by means of said quenching group, said product still having a liquid core, whereby, downstream of said quenching group, when the metal product advances through a second group of containing sections and solidification continues, the thermal energy lost by the metal product during the quenching treatment is at least partially recovered by the latent heat of the liquid core of the metal product, through the heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the product surface.

[0025] Advantageously, the solution of the present application allows to exploit the latent heat of the product, which still has a liquid phase (so-called liquid cone), after the quenching treatment.

[0026] In fact, this heat can be used to provide part of the temperature that the product must reach to be suitable for rolling, instead of being lost as in the prior art.

[0027] Therefore, considering that the heat of the product will be used in a more optimized way, the contribution of the reheating furnace to the heat that must be provided to the product can be lower, thus saving costs and emissions.

[0028] In order to obtain this advantage, the quenching group is arranged immediately downstream of the one or more straightening sections or straightening sections and upstream of a second group of containing sections of the product, which are arranged along the horizontal extension of the plant, before the reheating furnace.

[0029] This arrangement of the quenching group ensures that the treatment can start earlier with respect to the prior art, in particular when the material has a liquid core still uniform.

[0030] The advantage of quenching according to the present application is to transform the surface of the product from the austenitic phase to the ferritic phase, with the advantages described above of refining the grains, greatly reducing the risk of hot shortness phenomena, while maintaining a high enthalpy of the core of the product.

[0031] Therefore, during the quenching treatment, the thermal energy lost due to the heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the product surface is partially recovered by the latent heat of the liquid core of the product, which is transferred outside during the advancement and solidification of the product.

[0032] The advantage of using this latent heat to reheat the product from the inside is that less power can be used in the subsequent reheating furnace to heat the product to the desired rolling temperature, with consequent advantages in terms of consumption, emissions and costs, with CAPEX investments comparable to the state of the art, since the repositioning of the quenching group does not require special additions.

[0033] Further features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment thereof in accordance with the principles of the present application.

[0034] The dependent claims describe particular embodiments of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] The description of the application refers to the enclosed drawings, which show a non-limiting example, in which: Figure 1 a schematic view of a first embodiment of the plant according to the present application is shown; Figure 2 a schematic view of a first variant of the quenching unit of the plant of the present application is shown; Figure 3 a schematic view of a second variant of the quenching unit of the plant of the present application is shown; Figure 4 a particular configuration of the nozzles is shown, arranged offset above and below the advancement path of the product; Figure 5 a schematic view of the quenching group integrated in the first horizontal segment of the second group of containment segments is shown; Figure 6 a schematic view of the quenching group arranged between the straightening segment and the first horizontal segment of the second group of containment segments is shown; Figure 7 a trend of the surface temperature of the billet as a function of the distance from the exit of the ingot mould is shown after quenching the billet according to the prior art (solid line) and according to the present application (dashed line), respectively.

[0036] The same reference numbers in the drawings identify the same elements or components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Some examples of continuous casting plants, which are the object of the present application, are shown by way of reference to the enclosed drawings.

[0038] As is known, three types of rolling plants and methods have been established, with reference to the installed plant layout and auxiliary systems, characterised by different dimensions and metallurgical properties (as products obtained from the plants). For example, considering the slab as product, these types are: "roll-to-roll", in which the continuous cast slabs are cut into slabs of a certain size so as to obtain, at the end of the rolling process, a roll of strip of the desired size wound on a reel for each slab; "semi-annular", in which the continuous cast slab is cut into slabs having a size such that, at the end of the rolling process, each slab obtains a length of strip corresponding to a number of coils of the desired size, for example 3 to 7 coils; a flying shear is then used to obtain the coils of the desired size wound on a reel; "annular", in which the continuous cast slab passes seamlessly through the rolling mill, a flying shear is then used to obtain a coil of strip having the desired size wound on a reel.

[0039] The solution of the present application is applicable both to slabs cast and cut to size (coil-to-coil or semi-annular mode) and to transfer bars cast in annular mode.

[0040] However, the solution of the present application can also be applied to billets and blooms cast in billet-to-billet, semi-annular or annular mode.

[0041] In this description, the term "product" includes metal products of the type described above.

[0042] In all the embodiments of the present application, the continuous casting plant comprises ( Figure 1 ) : a ingot mould 1 comprising a crystallizer 7; a casting run 2 arranged downstream of the ingot mould 1 and comprising a first group of containment or support segments 4 through which the product is conveyed from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position; a straightening system arranged in a horizontal extension 22 of the plant following the casting run 2 and comprising at least one straightening segment 5 arranged downstream of the first group of containment segments 4; a second group of containment or support segments 4' arranged in the horizontal extension 22 downstream of the at least one straightening segment 5; a reheating furnace 6 arranged downstream of said second group of containment segments 4'.

[0043] Advantageously, in a region of the plant immediately downstream of the at least one straightening segment 5, a quenching group is provided, in which a passage for the metal product is provided, which has a liquid core at rest and therefore not completely solidified.

[0044] As known in the art, the term "quenching" means the rapid cooling of the cast product acting on its metallurgical structure.

[0045] In particular, said quenching group 3 (3') comprises a plurality of quenching segments 8, 8', 8" arranged in succession in the horizontal extension 22 of the plant. Figures 5-6) comprising a plurality of quenching units 9, each quenching unit 9 comprising at least one row of upper nozzles 10 arranged above and transversely to the advancement path of the product and at least one row of lower nozzles 11 arranged below and transversely to said advancement path. Said upper nozzles 10 and lower nozzles 11 are configured to spray water at high flow rate and high pressure onto the product. This quenching treatment causes a phase change of the product surface, from austenite to ferrite, creating a finer grain structure, which is therefore less permeable to copper in the subsequent in-furnace heating.

[0046] The closure of the liquid cone inside the casting is always provided in the horizontal stretch 22, never in the stretches of the casting curve 2.

[0047] By way of example, Figure 1 Two straightening stretches 5 are shown. The number of straightening stretches 5 can be less than two or more than two.

[0048] The straightening stretches 5 are arranged entirely in the horizontal stretches 22 of the plant and preferably immediately after the last stretch of the first group of containment stretches 4.

[0049] As known in the art, for example as described in document JP2016175085A, the straightening stretches 5 are stretches configured to apply a load to the product, while the containment stretches 4, 4' or simple support stretches are stretches configured to simply support the cast product without applying a load to the product.

[0050] The containment stretches 4, 4' or simple support stretches comprise a plurality of pairs of support rollers configured not to apply a load to the product. Each pair of support rollers has a lower support roller and an upper support roller arranged on opposite sides of the casting, respectively on the reference side and on the counter-reference side, i.e. on the lower side or outer convex side, and on the upper side or inner convex side, supporting the product.

[0051] As known, straightening is instead allowed to optimize and improve the flatness by using opposite rollers, i.e. upper working rollers and lower working rollers, in said straightening stretches.

[0052] Each straightening stretch 5 is configured to subject the product to alternating plastic deformations applied by the working rollers.

[0053] Preferably, the lower working rollers are motorized, for example by means of a gear motor which provides the power necessary to push the cast product into its straightening process, while the upper working rollers are instead idling and are responsible for the pressure exerted on the product, thus determining the degree of straightening to be obtained.

[0054] For example, the working rollers of each straightening stretch are made of forged steel suitable for working at high temperatures, to resist the increased thermal shock.

[0055] In all embodiments of the device of the present invention, the descaling device 20 and the shearing machine 21 can be arranged between sections 5, 4' and the reheating furnace 6 arranged in the horizontal extension section 22. Figure 1 ).

[0056] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, in the first embodiment of the device of the present invention, the quenching group 3 is integrated into the first segment 4' of the second receiving segment 4'.

[0057] Figure 1 and Figure 6 The second embodiment of the device of the present invention shown specifies that the quenching group 3 is arranged between at least one straightening section 5 and the first section 4' of the second group receiving section 4'.

[0058] Specifically, the quenching group 3 consists of a dedicated quenching unit, which is separate from and different from the straightening section 5 and the receiving section 4' of the second group.

[0059] This dedicated quenching unit is arranged between the only straightening section 5 or the last straightening section 5 and the first receiving section 4' of the second group.

[0060] Preferably, the distance A between the outlet of the quenching group 3 and the inlet of the reheating furnace 6 is in the range of 15 to 50 meters.

[0061] Conversely, the horizontal distance B between the exit section of the ingot mold 1 and the exit section of the at least one straightening section 5 is in the range of 5 to 20 meters. Figure 1 ).

[0062] Specifically, the distance B is the distance between the axis of the ingot mold 1 and the exit section of the straightening system (i.e., the exit section of only one straightening section 5 or the last straightening section 5).

[0063] Preferably, quenching group 3 ( Figures 5-6 It includes multiple quenching units 9, preferably at least two quenching units, such as three to five quenching units.

[0064] Each quenching unit 9 includes at least one row of upper nozzles 10 and at least one row of lower nozzles 11. The upper nozzles 10 are arranged above the product forward path and laterally relative to the product forward path, and the lower nozzles 11 are arranged below the forward path and laterally relative to the forward path.

[0065] In each quenching unit 9, at least one row of upper nozzles 10 and at least one row of lower nozzles 11 can be arranged along the same transverse plane, preferably perpendicular to the forward path.

[0066] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6In the example, each quenching unit 9 includes two rows of upper nozzles 10 and two rows of lower nozzles 11.

[0067] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the variant shown, the upper nozzles 10 of one row are aligned with the corresponding lower nozzles 11 of the corresponding lower row.

[0068] exist Figure 4 In the variant shown, the upper nozzles 10 of one row are offset relative to the lower nozzles 11 of the corresponding lower row.

[0069] Preferably, in each row of upper nozzles 10 and each row of lower nozzles 11, there are ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 ): The central nozzles 12 and 12' can be supplied with cooling fluid through the corresponding first supply pipes 13 and 13'; The end nozzles 14 and 14' are arranged on the sides of the middle nozzles 12 and 12' and can be supplied with cooling fluid through the corresponding second supply pipes 15 and 15'. Intermediate nozzles 16 and 16' are arranged between the middle nozzles 12 and 12' and the end nozzles 14 and 14', and can be supplied with cooling fluid through corresponding third supply pipes 17 and 17'.

[0070] This configuration advantageously allows only some nozzles of the quenching unit 9 to be actuated, depending on the width of the product to be cooled.

[0071] For example, for narrow slabs, it is sufficient to actuate only the middle nozzles 12 and 12'; for wide slabs, it is also necessary to activate the middle nozzles 16 and 16' and the end nozzles 14 and 14'; for slabs with a medium width, it is sufficient to actuate only the middle nozzles 12 and 12' and the middle nozzles 16 and 16'.

[0072] like Figure 2 As shown, the first variant of the quenching unit 9 provides regulating valves 18, which are arranged along corresponding delivery lines upstream of the first supply lines 13, 13', the second supply lines 15, 15', and the third supply lines 17, 17'. Each delivery line branches into its respective supply line.

[0073] like Figure 3 As shown, a second variant of the quenching unit 9 provides regulating valves 18 along each corresponding supply pipe 13, 13'; 15, 15'; 17, 17'. A delivery line branching to the six supply pipes can be provided.

[0074] In both variations, the flow rate of the cooling fluid supplied to the middle nozzles 12, 12', the end nozzles 14, 14', and the intermediate nozzles 16, 16' can be effectively adjusted.

[0075] In Figure 5 In the first embodiment of the plant of the application illustrated, the quenching group 3, incorporated in the first segment 4' of the second group of containment segments 4', comprises at least two quenching units 9, arranged in alternation with pairs of containment or support rollers 19 of the first containment segment 4'.

[0076] In Figure 6 In the second embodiment of the plant of the application illustrated, the quenching group 3 comprises at least two quenching units 9, arranged immediately downstream of the straightening segment 5 and immediately upstream of the first segment 4' of the second group of containment segments.

[0077] The fact of providing a plurality of quenching units 9 distributed inside the first containment segment 4' of the second group or in the space between the straightening system and said first containment segment 4' allows to cool the skin of the product and to progressively close the liquid cone, which in any case will be completed downstream of the quenching group 3.

[0078] Moreover, it is not excluded to provide quenching units 9 distributed in the space between the straightening system and the first containment segment 4' and inside said first containment segment 4'.

[0079] Contrary to the solutions of the prior art, in all the embodiments of the application the increase in extension of the stretch of the advancement path of the metal product involved in the quenching treatment allows to achieve a progressive quenching.

[0080] In particular, with the lengthening of the quenching area, the lengthening of the heat exchange time, the final result in terms of thermal exchange is equivalent, avoiding the product from being subjected to stresses, therefore also more sensitive steel grades to the formation of cracks can be treated.

[0081] The fact of having a longer quenching segment also allows to be able to adjust the treatment, adapting it to make a plurality of quenching profiles depending on the geometrical or metallurgical characteristics of the product to be treated.

[0082] The relevant continuous casting process of a metal product by means of a plant according to the application is described below.

[0083] In all the embodiments, the process comprises the following steps: a) casting of the metal product by means of the ingot mould 1 and the casting curve 2, the metal product passing from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position through the first group of containment segments 4; b) straightening of the metal product in the horizontal extension 22 of the plant by means of at least one straightening segment 5, immediately downstream of the casting curve 2; c) quenching treatment by means of at least one quenching group 3, immediately downstream of step b), said product still having a liquid core; said quenching treatment causes the transformation of the surface of the product from austenite to ferrite.

[0084] Advantageously, by quenching in a zone of the plant, in which a passage of the metal product is provided, having a stationary liquid core, the thermal energy lost by the metal product, due to the heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the surface of the product, is at least partially recovered, downstream of the at least one quenching group 3, as the metal product advances through the second group of containment sections 4' and the solidification continues, at least partly through the latent heat of the liquid core of the metal product.

[0085] Figure 7 The trend of the surface temperature of the bloom as a function of the distance from the exit section of the ingot mould 1 is shown, the following treatments being respectively applied to the bloom: quenching treatment according to the prior art (continuous line), i.e. performed at the last containment section of the metal product provided in the horizontal section of the plant, before the entrance into the reheating furnace 6; quenching treatment according to the present application (dashed line), i.e. performed immediately downstream of the straightening operation, away from the entrance into the reheating furnace 6.

[0086] It should be noted that, by virtue of the forecast quenching treatment, the temperature of the slab entering the reheating furnace 6 is higher with respect to the same slab just quenched before the entrance into the reheating furnace 5.

[0087] In a first variant of the method of the present application, the quenching treatment is performed within the first section 4' of the second group of containment sections 4', preferably between a pair of containment or support rollers 19 and the other pair of said first section.

[0088] In a second variant of the method of the present application, the quenching treatment is performed in a zone arranged between said at least one straightening section 5 and said first section 4' of the second group.

[0089] A third variant of the method of the present application corresponds to the combination of the first and second variants.

[0090] With reference to the variants in Figures 2-4 the flow rate of the cooling fluid supplied to the central nozzles 12, 12', to the end nozzles 14, 14' and to the intermediate nozzles 16, 16', respectively, can be adjusted by means of the respective regulating valves 18.

[0091] The cooling fluid is a cooling liquid, for example water, and / or an atomized cooling liquid, such as air mist.

[0092] Preferably, a gas mist type cooling is implemented, which allows the combination of compressed air and water, thus reducing the consumption of water and increasing the flow and pressure operating range.

Claims

1. A continuous casting apparatus for metal products, comprising: Ingot mold (1), the ingot mold (1) includes a crystallizer (7); A casting channel (2) is arranged downstream of the ingot mold (1) and includes a first set of receiving sections (4) through which the product is conveyed from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position; A straightening system is provided in a horizontal extension (22) of the equipment following the casting curve (2), and includes at least one straightening section (5) arranged downstream of the first set of receiving sections (4). The second set of receiving sections (4') are arranged in the horizontal extension section (22) located downstream of the at least one straightening section (5); A reheating furnace (6) is arranged downstream of the second set of receiving sections (4'); At least one quenching group (3) is provided immediately downstream of the at least one straightening section (5).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one quenching group (3) is incorporated in the first section of the second group receiving section (4') and / or arranged between the at least one straightening section (5) and the first section of the second group sealing section (4').

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The distance A between the outlet of the quenching group (3) and the inlet of the reheating furnace (6) is in the range of 15 to 50 meters.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The distance B between the exit section of the ingot mold (1) and the exit section of the at least one straightening section (5), measured horizontally, is in the range of 5 to 20 meters.

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The quenching group (3) includes multiple quenching units (9), each quenching unit (10) includes at least one row of upper nozzles (10) and at least one row of lower nozzles (11), the upper nozzles being arranged above and laterally relative to the forward path of the product, and the lower nozzles being arranged below and laterally relative to the forward path.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein, In each quenching unit (9), the at least one row of upper nozzles (10) and the at least one row of lower nozzles (11) are arranged along the same plane transverse to the forward path, preferably wherein the upper nozzles (10) are arranged offset relative to the lower nozzles (11).

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, In each row of upper nozzles (10) and lower nozzles (11), the following are provided: A central nozzle (12, 12') is provided with cooling fluid via a corresponding first supply pipe (13, 13'); End nozzles (14, 14') are arranged on the side of the central nozzle (12, 12') and are capable of supplying cooling fluid through corresponding second supply pipes (15, 15'); An intermediate nozzle (16, 16') is arranged between the middle nozzle (12, 12') and the end nozzle (14, 14') and is capable of supplying cooling fluid through a corresponding third supply pipe (17, 17').

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein, A regulating valve (18) is provided for regulating the flow rate of the cooling fluid that can be supplied to the middle nozzle (12, 12'), the end nozzle (14, 14') and the intermediate nozzle (16, 16'); Preferably, the regulating valve is arranged along each corresponding supply pipe (13, 13'; 15, 15'; 17, 17') or along a corresponding delivery line, each delivery line being arranged upstream of the first supply pipe (13, 13'), the second supply pipe (15, 15'), and the third supply pipe (17, 17').

9. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein, The plurality of quenching units (9) are arranged between the at least one straightening section (5) and the first section of the second set of receiving sections (4').

10. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein, The quenching unit (9) of the plurality of quenching units alternates with the paired sealing rollers (19) of the first section of the second set of receiving sections (4').

11. A method for continuously casting metal products using the equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: a) The metal product is cast through the ingot mold (1) and the metal product is passed through the first set of receiving sections (4), the metal product being conveyed from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position; b) After the casting chute (2), the metal product is straightened in at least one straightening section (5) in the horizontal extension of the equipment; c) Immediately downstream of step b), the product is quenched by the quenching group (3) while still having a liquid core. Thus, downstream of the quenching group (3), as the metal product advances through the second set of receiving sections (4') and solidification continues, the heat energy lost by the metal product during the quenching process is at least partially recovered by the latent heat of the liquid core of the metal product through heat exchange between the cooling fluid and the product surface.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The quenching process is performed in the first section of the second set of receiving sections (4'), preferably between a pair of receiving rollers (19) and another pair of the first sections; and / or wherein the quenching process is performed in the area arranged between the at least one straightening section (5) and the first section of the second set of receiving sections (4').

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The quenching group (3) includes multiple quenching units (9), each quenching unit (10) includes at least one row of upper nozzles (10) and at least one row of lower nozzles (11), the upper nozzles are arranged above and laterally relative to the forward path of the product, and the lower nozzles are arranged below and laterally relative to the forward path. Among them, in each row of upper nozzles (10) and lower nozzles (11), the following are provided: A central nozzle (12, 12') is supplied with cooling fluid via a corresponding first supply conduit (13, 13'); End nozzles (14, 14') are arranged on the side of the central nozzle (12, 12') and supplied with cooling fluid through corresponding second supply pipes (15, 15'); An intermediate nozzle (16, 16') is arranged between the middle nozzle (12, 12') and the end nozzle (14, 14') and is supplied with cooling fluid through a corresponding third supply pipe (17, 17'); Furthermore, the flow rate of the cooling fluid supplied to the middle nozzle (12, 12'), the end nozzle (14, 14'), and the intermediate nozzle (16, 16') is adjusted by regulating valves (18) arranged along each corresponding supply pipe (13, 13'; 15, 15'; 17, 17') or along the corresponding delivery line, respectively. Each delivery line is arranged upstream of the first supply pipe (13, 13'), the second supply pipe (15, 15'), and the third supply pipe (17, 17').

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