Continuous casting plant for producing a cast strand, and method for controlling or regulating the temperature of a cast strand in a continuous casting plant

Abstract

The invention relates to a continuous casting plant (100) for producing a cast strand (101) and to a method for controlling or regulating the temperature of a cast strand (101) in a continuous casting plant (100). The continuous casting plant (100) comprises a supporting strand guide (110) having a plurality of cooling zones (1-20) with a secondary cooling system (111). In each cooling zone (1-20), at least one spray nozzle connected to a supply line is arranged, and a liquid can be discharged through the spray nozzle in the direction of the cast strand (101) for the purpose of cooling and / or cleaning. In at least one predetermined cooling zone (1-20) of the supporting strand guide (110), an associated spray nozzle is connected to the supply line either directly or via a shut-off valve.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a continuous casting plant according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a method for controlling or regulating the temperature of a cast strand in a continuous casting plant according to the preamble of claim 7.

[0002] When operating continuous casting plants, it is state-of-the-art to cool the cast strand after it emerges from the mold in the so-called secondary cooling system of a supporting strand guide of such plants until it has completely solidified. This cooling process plays a key role in the resulting quality of the cast strand and the products produced from it. Complete solidification of the cast strand should be achieved within the supporting strand guide, which supports the cast strand with its core still liquid. The goal is to ensure that the cooling rates of the strand cooling system and the temperature range for the strand shell are dimensioned such that the cast strand solidifies flawlessly.

[0003] The secondary cooling of a continuous casting plant is usually carried out using spray or cooling water, whereby the amount of water applied to the surfaces of the cast strand is set using target temperature curves. The course of these target temperature curves can vary depending on the material to be cast and, for example, depending on certain cooling zones of the supporting strand guide and / or the casting speed. Depending on the material and the selected casting speed, an appropriate target temperature curve is then selected and the secondary cooling for applying the spray or cooling water to the surfaces of the cast strand to be cooled is set. The selection or definition of such target temperature curves can be carried out using spray water tables, whereby these tables contain the cooling water quantity to be set for the spray water for each cooling zone.Therefore, specific water quantities are specified for different casting speeds. Depending on the strand material type, the plant operator then selects a suitable table, which is used to adjust the water quantities in the secondary cooling system. Manually managing many different tables for different operating conditions is time-consuming in everyday casting operations and is prone to errors.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known from the prior art, for example from DE 10 2007 058 109 A1, that with normal temperature control each material or material group has a target temperature curve which ensures good strand quality. By automatically changing the spray water quantities, an attempt is made to achieve the specified target temperatures at the ends of all cooling zones. The temperature curves apply to all casting speeds. A disadvantage of this type of conventional temperature control is that the optimum casting speed does not only depend on the caster, but that other problems can arise in practice. For example, problems in the steelworks can delay the ladle connection, or errors or roll changes can lead to temporary outages in the rolling mill.If the same temperature curve is used consistently, the sump length and thus the average temperature at the furnace inlet can decrease significantly despite the same surface temperature. A conventional approach according to the state of the art is to require the operators or a user to manually switch to a warmer temperature curve, if this is considered appropriate in individual cases.

[0005] In conventional continuous casting plants, temperature control for the associated cooling zones usually consists of each material or material group having a target temperature curve that ensures good strand quality for the cast strand. By automatically changing the spray water quantities, the aim is to achieve the specified target temperatures at the ends of all cooling zones. The temperature curves therefore apply to all casting speeds. With this type of temperature control, it is generally possible to produce good strand quality. However, situations can arise during continuous casting in which specified water quantities must be used in some zones of the secondary cooling or the supporting strand guide of a continuous casting plant, for example, to protect the machine. This is not possible with the temperature curves or conventional temperature control according to the state of the art.

[0006] Accordingly, the object of the invention is to increase the safety of machine components of a continuous casting plant during continuous casting to produce a cast strand, on the one hand, and to contribute to energy savings, on the other hand.

[0007] This object is achieved by a continuous casting plant having the features of claim 1 and by a method defined by the features of claim 7. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] A continuous casting plant according to the present invention serves to produce a cast strand and comprises a supporting strand guide having a plurality of cooling zones with secondary cooling. In each cooling zone, at least one spray nozzle connected to a supply line is arranged, and a liquid can be discharged through the spray nozzle toward the cast strand for the purpose of cooling the cast strand and / or cleaning support rollers of a supporting strand guide. In at least one predetermined cooling zone of the supporting strand guide, an associated spray nozzle is connected to the supply line either directly or via a shut-off valve.

[0009] The present invention also provides a method for controlling or regulating the temperature of a cast strand in a continuous casting plant. In this method, the cast strand, after continuously emerging from a mold, is guided along a transport direction by a supporting strand guide of the continuous casting plant, which has several cooling zones with secondary cooling and each associated spray nozzles. Temperature control for the secondary cooling is carried out by means of a control or regulating unit in that individual cooling zones of the supporting strand guide are controlled by the control or regulating unit on the basis of a target temperature for the cast strand, which has been determined for a respective cooling zone of the supporting strand guide, in order to thereby apply a variable amount of cooling medium to the surfaces of the cast strand for the purpose of cooling.This method is characterized in that at least one predetermined cooling zone of the supporting strand guide is excluded from the temperature control of the control or regulating unit, in such a way that a predetermined constant amount of liquid is discharged in the direction of the cast strand in this predetermined cooling zone and through its associated spray nozzle.

[0010] For the method according to the invention, it is expedient if the predetermined constant amount of liquid which is discharged in a predetermined or selected cooling zone is greater or smaller than the amount of liquid which would have been calculated for this cooling zone by means of the control or regulating unit in the course of the temperature control on the basis of the target temperature for the cast strand.

[0011] The invention is based on the essential finding that in at least one predetermined or selected cooling zone of the supporting strand guide of a continuous casting plant, no variable water quantities dependent on a respective temperature control are applied, but instead fixed or constant amounts of liquid are applied through an associated spray nozzle of this predetermined or selected cooling zone in the direction of the cast strand. Such a hybrid approach to cooling the cast strand combines good strand quality by maintaining predetermined target temperatures in the crack-critical bending and straightening areas of a continuous casting plant with the requirements for cooling water quantities for a safe and machine-friendly casting process, wherein at least one predetermined or selected cooling zone at the plant head or at the plant end is preferably selectively excluded from the temperature control of the continuous casting plant.This can be done by default or changed dynamically during the casting process.

[0012] Given that a predetermined constant amount of liquid is dispensed in at least one predetermined or selected cooling zone by at least one associated spray nozzle, it is sufficient for this spray nozzle to be connected to a supply line for the supply of liquid, either directly or simply by means of a shut-off valve. In any case, a costly control valve is not required in this context, which has a beneficial effect on investment and manufacturing costs.

[0013] According to an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, it can be provided that in the at least one predetermined or selected cooling zone of the supporting strand guide, an associated spray nozzle is directly or immediately connected to the supply line for supplying liquid. Alternatively, it is possible to connect an associated spray nozzle to the supply line in such a predetermined or selected cooling zone via a shut-off valve. In any case, it is important in this context that, according to this development of the invention, no costly control valve is included in such a predetermined or selected cooling zone of the supporting strand guide, thereby advantageously reducing the manufacturing costs for the continuous casting plant according to the invention.

[0014] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one predetermined or selected cooling zone is located directly adjacent to a mold of the continuous casting plant. This is to be understood according to the invention against the background that in order to protect the copper plates in the mold of a continuous casting plant, the target pouring level is varied over time. This changes the cooling within the mold and thus the inlet temperature into the first cooling zone of a supporting strand guide, which is connected to an outlet opening or lower opening of the mold. Since such a first cooling zone, which is located directly adjacent to the mold of a continuous casting plant, usually consists of only one or a few rows of nozzles, the spray water quantities there may have to be changed significantly to maintain a target temperature.The first cooling zones also have the task of flushing away casting powder or other deposits escaping from the mold. This requires fixed amounts of water, which can possibly be increased as the casting speed increases. Therefore, according to the invention, it is expedient to exclude these first cooling zones from temperature control and to apply a predetermined, high, constant amount of water toward the cast strand and onto its surface.

[0015] According to an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, as just explained, the at least one predetermined or selected cooling zone can be located directly adjacent to a mold of the continuous casting plant, wherein the predetermined constant amount of liquid that is discharged through the associated spray nozzle of this predetermined cooling zone in the direction of the cast strand is greater than the amount of liquid that would have been calculated for this cooling zone by means of the control or regulating unit during temperature control. As already explained elsewhere above, this can achieve the effect of flushing away casting powder or other deposits escaping from the mold, thus increasing the quality of the cast strand produced.

[0016] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one selected cooling zone is arranged at a position of the supporting strand guide corresponding to a predetermined casting length, for example in a horizontal part of the supporting strand guide. In this case, it can be provided that the predetermined constant amount of liquid that is discharged through the associated spray nozzle of this predetermined cooling zone in the direction of the cast strand is greater than the amount of liquid that would have been calculated for this cooling zone by means of the control or regulating unit during temperature control. This is to be understood according to the invention against the background that, for cooling the rollers, segments or bearings of the supporting strand guide of a continuous casting plant, it is helpful to use larger amounts of water in the horizontal part of the plant to protect the machine.There, the rebending is complete, and colder strand temperatures do not increase the risk of cracking. Increasing or setting the amount of liquid or water applied to a predetermined, increased value in a predetermined cooling zone of the horizontal section of the supporting strand guide can also be used for roller cleaning and for flushing away scale or deposits. In addition, increasing the water quantities leads to a lower temperature of the cast strand and thus to less scale growth, coupled with increased scale spalling. If this scale is flushed away before it enters a subsequent reheating furnace, the burning-in of the scale in the furnace can be reduced. As a result, an increased, predetermined, constant amount of liquid also contributes to improving the quality of the produced cast strand.

[0017] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one selected cooling zone is arranged at a position of the supporting strand guide corresponding to a predetermined casting length, for example, in a horizontal part of the supporting strand guide. In this case, it can be provided that the predetermined constant amount of liquid that is discharged through the associated spray nozzle of this predetermined cooling zone in the direction of the cast strand is smaller than the amount of liquid that would have been calculated for this cooling zone by means of the control or regulating unit during temperature control.According to the invention, this is to be understood against the background that in order to achieve the highest possible furnace inlet temperature for the cast strand and thus to reduce the energy to be applied in the furnace, it is advantageous not to determine the spray water quantities according to temperature control in the horizontal part of the supporting strand guide of a continuous casting plant in at least one predetermined cooling zone, or possibly in a plurality of such predetermined or selected cooling zones, but to pour with a predetermined small amount of water or the minimum permissible amount of water, or in any case a predetermined constant amount of liquid or water.

[0018] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that an associated control or regulation unit is programmed in such a way that a predetermined constant amount of liquid can be dispensed into the at least one predetermined cooling zone of the supporting strand guide by at least one associated spray nozzle. As already explained, such a spray nozzle can, for example, be connected directly to the supply line for the liquid supply, thus eliminating the need for costly control valves.

[0019] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to a simplified schematic drawing. They show: Fig. 1 a schematically simplified side view of a continuous casting plant according to the invention, with which a method according to the invention can also be carried out, and Fig. 2 a schematically simplified side view of a section of a secondary cooling system which is part of the continuous casting plant of Fig. 1 is.

[0020] Below, with reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrates preferred embodiments of a continuous casting plant 100 according to the invention for producing a cast strand 101 and a method according to the invention for controlling or regulating the temperature of a cast strand in a continuous casting plant. Identical features in the drawings are each provided with the same reference numerals. It is specifically noted at this point that the drawing is merely simplified and, in particular, is not drawn to scale.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows, in principle, a simplified side view of a continuous casting plant 100 according to the invention, with which a method according to the present invention can also be carried out.

[0022] At this point, it is specifically pointed out that for the following description, the terms cast strand and metal strand are used as synonyms.

[0023] The continuous casting plant 100 after Fig. 1 comprises a mold 112 having a lower opening 113 and thus a vertical downward exit. Liquid metal, e.g., steel or a steel alloy, is poured into the mold 112 up to a casting level or bath level 114.

[0024] The continuous casting plant 100 comprises a supporting strand guide 110 in the area of ​​a secondary cooling 111, which is connected to the lower opening 113 of the mold. Fig. 2 shows, by way of example, two support rollers 116 that are part of this supporting strand guide 110. Thus, the supporting strand guide 110 is arranged directly downstream of the mold 112. During operation of the continuous casting plant 100 and when carrying out a method according to the invention, a cast or metal strand 100 exits downward from the lower opening 113 of the mold 112 and is subsequently moved or transported along the supporting strand guide 110 in a transport direction T.

[0025] The secondary cooling system 111 comprises individual cooling segments 1-20 along the supporting strand guide 110, through which the application of a cooling medium, in particular in the form of water, e.g., through spray nozzles 118, to both sides of the metal strand 100 is ensured in order to specifically cool the metal strand 100. These cooling segments 1-20 are each supplied via supply lines 120 (cf. Fig. 2) are fed with coolant F and are each equipped with spray nozzles 118. Accordingly, it is possible to spray coolant F (cf. Fig. 2) to the surfaces S of the metal strand 101, namely on its top and / or bottom.

[0026] The supporting strand guide 110 comprises, in a known manner, pairs of support rollers between which the cast strand 100 is moved in the transport direction T. As already explained, Fig. 2 shows two such support rollers 116 as an example, each arranged on one side of the cast strand 101.

[0027] The continuous casting plant 100 comprises, for example, a total of one hundred and twenty pairs of support rollers, which are divided into twenty physical segments or cooling segments 1-20 (cf. Fig. 1). Here, the crack-critical straightening area is located within the supporting strand guide 110 in the cooling and straightening segments with numbers 8 and 9, which can be equipped with their own control circuits for the coolant supply so that the specified target temperatures can be achieved.

[0028] The continuous casting plant 100 comprises a control or regulation unit 122, which is connected via a signal path 124 to, among other things, the cooling segments of the supporting strand guide 110. This signal path 124 can be wired or wireless, e.g., via a radio link or the like.

[0029] The control or regulation unit 122 comprises a process computer 123. By means of this process computer 123 it is possible to carry out individual calculation steps for a temperature control of the continuous casting plant from Fig. 1 to be carried out.

[0030] The control or regulation unit 122 is connected to a data memory 126 in which the necessary process data for the continuous casting plant 100 are stored. In this respect, this data memory 126 forms a database. Via an interface (not shown), it is possible to enter or read individual process data PD into the data memory 126. This input option is provided in the Fig. 1 symbolized by an arrow with “PD”.

[0031] The continuous casting plant 100 is equipped with at least one (not further designated) temperature sensor, or a plurality of such sensors, which is / are arranged adjacent to the supporting strand guide 110. Using such a sensor or a plurality of such sensors, the temperature of the metal strand 100 can be determined, for example, to compare the previously calculated temperature of the metal strand 100 with the measured value. The temperature data from the sensor(s) are first fed to a data acquisition unit 128 and from there sent to the control or regulating unit 122 via the signal path 124.

[0032] The data memory 126 stores variables or parameters on the basis of which target temperatures can be set or determined for the individual cooling segments along the supporting strand guide 110. These variables can include a first target temperature, a second target temperature, and a predetermined distance from the casting level 114. These variables depend on a specific material or material group from which the metal strand 100 is produced, and are in any case independent of a specific continuous casting plant.

[0033] Based on the above-mentioned parameters, which are stored in the data memory 126, the control and regulation unit 122 can be used to determine the individual cooling segments along the strand guide 110 in the area of ​​the secondary cooling 111 of a specific continuous casting plant, e.g. the continuous casting plant 100 of Fig. 1, Target temperatures can be set or specified.

[0034] The secondary cooling 111 of the supporting strand guide 110 of the continuous casting plant 100 of Fig. 1 has at least one predetermined cooling zone in which an associated spray nozzle 118 is directly connected to a supply line 120 for the supply of liquid F. As shown in the illustration of Fig. 2, such a spray nozzle 118 can be arranged adjacent to the cast strand 101 between two support rollers 116, so that a liquid F which is discharged from this spray nozzle 118 in the direction of the cast strand 101 also reaches a surface S of the cast strand 101.

[0035] The spray nozzle 118 from Fig. 2 serves to discharge a predetermined constant amount of liquid F in a predetermined cooling zone of the secondary cooling 111 in the direction of the cast strand 101 for the purpose of cooling and / or cleaning, namely at least one surface S of the cast strand 101 and / or an outer surface of a support roller 116. In the latter case, the spray nozzle 118 can deviate from its position according to Fig. 2 can also be arranged in such a way that the liquid F discharged from it not only reaches the surface S of the cast strand 101, but also the outer surface of at least one support roller 116.

[0036] In the presentation of Fig. 2, a check valve 121 is symbolized by dotted lines, which can optionally be arranged between the spray nozzle 118 and the supply line 120. Such a check valve 121 has only two operating states: "open" and "closed." If a predetermined constant amount of liquid F is dispensed through the spray nozzle 118, the associated check valve 121 is open or "open."

[0037] As already explained elsewhere at the beginning, the at least one predetermined cooling zone can be located directly adjacent to the mold 112 of the continuous casting plant 100. In this case, this predetermined selected cooling zone is the cooling zone “1” of Fig. 1, wherein a constant high quantity of liquid F (preferably water) is then discharged through an associated spray nozzle 118 of this cooling zone 1. This is done for the purpose of flushing away any casting powder or other undesirable deposits escaping from the mold 112. In any case, such a constant high quantity of liquid F is not dependent on the temperature control of the continuous casting plant 100, but is set at a predetermined value from the outset.

[0038] In the same way, a predetermined selected cooling zone can be arranged at a position of the supporting strand guide 100 corresponding to a predetermined casting length, for example in the horizontal part H of the supporting strand guide 110, which in the continuous casting plant 100 according to Fig. 1 starts from cooling zone 10.

[0039] For example, the cooling zone 15 can be Fig. 1, which is clearly located in the horizontal part H of the supporting strand guide 110, can be considered as a predetermined or selected cooling zone within the meaning of the present invention, so that, as explained, a predetermined constant amount of liquid F is then discharged from at least one associated spray nozzle 118 of this cooling zone 15 in the direction of the cast strand 101. This predetermined cooling zone 115 is then excluded from the temperature control of the continuous casting plant 100.

[0040] The control or regulation unit 122 of the continuous casting plant 100 is programmed in such a way that a temperature control can be carried out for the secondary cooling 111 based on a target temperature for the cast strand 101. As just explained, the at least one selected cooling zone, for example, the cooling zone 15, is then excluded from this temperature control. Nevertheless, the control or regulation unit 122 can also be used to suitably control the at least one spray nozzle 118 of the predetermined or selected cooling zone, for example, the cooling zone 15, in order to discharge the predetermined constant amount of liquid F in the direction of the cast strand 101.

[0041] With regard to the exemplary cooling zone 15 of Fig. 1, it is specifically noted at this point that the predetermined constant amount of liquid F may be an increased amount. This means that this constant amount of liquid F is greater than the amount of liquid that would otherwise have been calculated for this cooling zone 15 by means of the control or regulation unit 122 during temperature control. This ensures effective machine protection (e.g., the support rollers 116) of the supporting strand guide 110 and, at the same time, allows cleaning of the support rollers 116 and / or flushing away of scale or deposits.

[0042] Alternatively, for the exemplary cooling zone 15, it can also be provided that a comparatively small, predetermined constant amount of liquid F is discharged from the associated spray nozzle 118 in the direction of the cast strand 101. This means that the predetermined constant amount of liquid F discharged by the associated spray nozzle (118) of this predetermined cooling zone 15 in the direction of the cast strand 101 is smaller than the amount of liquid that would otherwise have been calculated for this cooling zone 15 by means of the control or regulating unit 122 during temperature control. This results in the advantage of the highest possible furnace inlet temperature and a reduction in the energy required in or for a furnace.

[0043] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it can also be provided that several cooling zones of the secondary cooling 111 are selected, so that through the associated spray nozzles 118 of these predetermined or selected cooling zones, a predetermined constant amount of liquid F is then discharged in the direction of the cast strand 101, independently of the temperature control of the other cooling zones of the secondary cooling 111. For example, this plurality of predetermined or selected cooling zones, in each of which a predetermined constant amount of liquid F is discharged in the direction of the cast strand 101, independently of the temperature control of the continuous casting plant 100, can be the cooling zones 15-18 of Fig. 1 act.

[0044] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the temperature control is switched off and the use of minimum water quantities is carried out automatically as a function of the calculated or measured sump peak of the cast strand 101. For example, for this purpose, in each cooling zone in the horizontal part H of the supporting strand guide 110, preferably in the at least one predetermined or selected cooling zone, at least one first limit point G1 is determined (e.g., at 30% of the length of a respective cooling zone). If the sump length of the cast strand 101 is smaller than this predetermined first limit point G1, ie, if it is located upstream of this first limit point G1, as seen in the transport direction T of the cast strand 101, then for the at least one predetermined cooling zone (e.g., the cooling zone 15 of Fig. 1), or for a plurality of such predetermined or selected cooling zones, the minimum predetermined constant amounts of water are used and discharged from the associated spray nozzles 118 of this cooling zone(s) in the direction of the cast strand 101.

[0045] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the determination of a second limit point G2 can also be provided, for example at approximately 40% of the length of a respective cooling zone and preferably in the predetermined selected cooling zone (e.g. the cooling zone 15 of Fig. 1). This second limit point G2, which is located downstream of the first limit point (G1) as seen in the transport direction T of the cast strand 101, then forms a "hysteresis" together with the first limit point G1. If in a predetermined or selected cooling zone of the secondary cooling 111 (for example, the cooling zone 15 of Fig. 1) If the minimum water quantities are used, but the sump length then increases again, the system will only switch back to temperature control when the sump length has increased beyond the second limit point G2. Otherwise, the higher water pressures that would then be possible could lead to an "on / off" oscillation.

[0046] In the presentation of Fig. 1, the predetermined first boundary point G1 and the predetermined second boundary point G2 are each symbolically indicated by arrows for the exemplary cooling zone 15. As explained above, the first boundary point G1 can be approximately 30% of the length of this cooling zone 15, while the second boundary point G2 can be approximately 40% of the length of this cooling zone 15.

[0047] Finally, it is specifically pointed out that a predetermined or selected cooling zone, in which, as explained, a predetermined constant amount of liquid F is discharged in the direction of the cast strand 101, is selected from the set of cooling zones 10-20 of the secondary cooling 111 of Fig. 1 can be selected. In concrete terms, this can mean that not only the cooling zone 15 discussed above, but also further cooling zones of the secondary cooling 111, for example from its horizontal part H, can be selected as predetermined cooling zone(s) within the meaning of the present invention. List of reference symbols 1-20 cooling zones (of the supporting strand guide 110) or support roller segments 100 continuous casting plant 101 Cast strand / metal strand 110 supporting strand guide 111 Secondary cooling (of the continuous casting plant 100) 112 mold 113 lower opening (of the mold 112) 114 bathroom mirrors / casting mirrors 116 support roller(s) 118 Spray nozzle 120 supply line 121 check valve 122 Control or regulation unit 123 process computers 124 Signal path or signal connection 126 Database or data storage 128 Data collection B Arch part (of the supporting strand guide 110) F Liquid G1 predetermined first limit point G2 predetermined second limit point H Horizontal part (of the supporting strand guide 110) PD process data S Surface(s) of the cast strand G T Transport direction (for the cast strand G) QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2007 058 109 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Continuous casting plant (100) for producing a cast strand (101), comprising a supporting strand guide (110) having a plurality of cooling zones (1-20) with a secondary cooling system (111), wherein in each cooling zone (1-20) at least one spray nozzle (118) connected to a supply line (120) is arranged and a liquid (F) can be discharged through the spray nozzle (118) in the direction of the cast strand (101) for the purpose of cooling and / or cleaning, characterized by , that in at least one predetermined cooling zone (1-20) of the supporting strand guide (110) the associated spray nozzle (118) is connected to the supply line (120) either directly or via a shut-off valve (121). [2] Continuous casting plant (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one selected cooling zone (1) is located directly adjacent to a mold (112) of the continuous casting plant (100). [3] Continuous casting plant (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the at least one selected cooling zone (11-20) is located in a horizontal part (H) of the supporting strand guide (110). [4] Continuous casting plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one selected cooling zone (11-20) is arranged at a position of the supporting strand guide corresponding to a predetermined casting length. [5] Continuous casting plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control or regulation unit (122) which is programmed in such a way that a predetermined constant quantity of liquid (F) can be dispensed in the at least one predetermined cooling zone (1-20) of the supporting strand guide (110) through the associated spray nozzle (118). [6] Continuous casting plant (100) according to claim 5, characterized bythat the control or regulation unit (122) is programmed in such a way that a temperature control can be carried out for the secondary cooling (111) on the basis of a target temperature for the cast strand (101), wherein the at least one selected cooling zone (1-20) is excluded from this temperature control. [7] Method for controlling or regulating the temperature of a cast strand (101) in a continuous casting plant (100), wherein the cast strand (101), after continuously emerging from a mold (112), is guided along a transport direction (T) by a supporting strand guide (110) of the continuous casting plant (110), which has a plurality of cooling zones (1-20) with a secondary cooling (111) and respective associated spray nozzles (118), wherein for the secondary cooling (111), temperature control is carried out by means of a control or regulating unit (122) in that individual cooling zones (1-20) of the supporting strand guide (110) are controlled by means of the control or regulating unit (122) on the basis of a target temperature for the cast strand (101), which has been determined for a respective cooling zone (1-20) of the supporting strand guide (110), in order to thereby apply a variable amount of cooling medium to the surfaces (S) of the cast strand (101) for cooling purposes, characterized by, that at least one predetermined cooling zone (1-20) of the supporting strand guide (110) is excluded from the temperature control of the control or regulating unit (122), such that a predetermined constant amount of liquid (F) is thus discharged in the direction of the cast strand (101) in this predetermined cooling zone (1-20) and through its associated spray nozzle (118). [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that the predetermined constant amount of liquid (F) which is discharged in the predetermined cooling zone (1-20) is greater or smaller than the amount of liquid which would have been calculated for this cooling zone (1-20) by means of the control or regulating unit (122) in the course of the temperature control on the basis of the target temperature for the cast strand (101). [9] Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized bythat the at least one predetermined cooling zone (1) is located immediately adjacent to a mold (112) of the continuous casting plant (100), wherein the predetermined constant amount of liquid (F) which is discharged through the associated spray nozzle (118) of this predetermined cooling zone (1) in the direction of the cast strand (101) is greater than the amount of liquid which would have been calculated for this cooling zone (1-20) by means of the control or regulating unit (122) in the course of the temperature control. [10] Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized bythat the at least one predetermined cooling zone (11-20) is arranged at a position of the supporting strand guide (110) corresponding to a predetermined casting length, wherein the predetermined constant amount of liquid (F) which is discharged through the associated spray nozzle (118) of this predetermined cooling zone (1) in the direction of the cast strand (101) is smaller than the amount of liquid which would have been calculated for this cooling zone (1-20) by means of the control or regulating unit (122) in the course of the temperature control. [11] Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized byin that the at least one predetermined cooling zone (11-20) is arranged at a position of the supporting strand guide (110) corresponding to a predetermined casting length, wherein the predetermined constant amount of liquid (F) which is discharged through the associated spray nozzle (118) of this predetermined cooling zone (1) in the direction of the cast strand (101) is greater than the amount of liquid which would have been calculated for this cooling zone (1-20) by means of the control or regulating unit (122) in the course of the temperature control. [12] Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that the at least one selected cooling zone (11-20) is located in a horizontal part (H) of the supporting strand guide (110). [13] Method according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized bythat a first limit point (G1) is determined in at least one cooling zone of the secondary cooling (111), said cooling zone being selected as a predetermined cooling zone in which the predetermined constant amount of liquid (F) is discharged from at least one associated spray nozzle (118) in the direction of the cast strand (101), if a calculated sump length of the cast strand (101) is located upstream of the predetermined first limit point (G1) as seen in the transport direction (T) of the cast strand (101). [14] Method according to claim 13, characterized by that the first limit point (G1) is located at a position of the predetermined or selected cooling zone (15) at 30% of its length. [15] Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized bythat in the at least one predetermined or selected cooling zone (15) of the secondary cooling (111) a second limit point (G2) is determined, wherein this second limit point (G2) is located downstream of the first limit point (G1) as seen in the transport direction (T) of the cast strand (101), wherein, if a calculated sump length of the cast strand (101) is located downstream of the second limit point (G2) as seen in the transport direction (T) of the cast strand (101), then the temperature control of the control or regulating unit (122) is switched over again for the at least one selected predetermined cooling zone. [16] Method according to claim 15, characterized by that the second limit point (G2) is located at a position of the predetermined or selected cooling zone (15) at 40% of its length.

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