Power generation unit and casting system

Abstract

This power generation unit is configured independently of the continuous casting line, allowing for flexible changes in the installation location of the thermoelectric power generation device, and providing an easy-to-install and remove power generation unit. [Solution] The system includes a thermoelectric power generation unit 30 that converts the thermal energy of a cast slab 15 cast by the casting system 10 into electrical energy, and a trolley 29 that is provided independently of the casting system 10, which holds the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 so that it can be raised and lowered, and which can be installed at any position on the casting system 10 so that the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 faces the cast slab 15.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a power generation unit device that generates electricity using waste heat from a slab and a casting system equipped with the same.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, in continuous casting lines, a thermoelectric power generation device is used to convert the thermal energy of a slab into electrical energy and recover it (Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 enables retrofitting a thermoelectric power generation device to an existing continuous casting line. More specifically, in a continuous casting machine of the dummy bar downward insertion type, a thermoelectric power generation unit that generates electricity using the waste heat of a slab is made to be able to freely move to a position on the transfer line without contacting the dummy bar table that descends toward the slab transfer line in order to recover the dummy bar.

[0004] Patent Document 2 relates to a dummy bar table for a continuous casting machine that can prevent collision with a dummy bar table without requiring equipment for moving the thermoelectric power generation device. More specifically, in a continuous casting machine of the dummy bar downward insertion type, the dummy bar table for the continuous casting machine is configured such that a thermoelectric power generation device that converts the heat of the slab into electrical energy and recovers it is provided via a water-cooled plate provided in contact with the lower surface of the dummy bar table body.

[0005] Patent Document 3 relates to a thermoelectric power generation device that converts the thermal energy of a slab into electrical energy and recovers it. More specifically, in a continuous casting machine of the dummy bar downward insertion type, the thermoelectric power generation device is configured to have a moving means for moving to a confrontation position between the thermoelectric power generation unit and the slab of the thermoelectric power generation unit and moving to a retreat position beside the dummy bar.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-203301 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-58082 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-217225 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, the aforementioned Patent Documents 1 to 3 all relate to thermoelectric power generation devices installed in a continuous casting machine of the dummy bar downward insertion type equipped with a dummy bar housing device, and the thermoelectric power generation unit is integrated with the slab conveying line.

[0008] In other words, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which the thermoelectric power generation unit of a thermoelectric power generation device is mounted on a trolley, thereby enabling the thermoelectric power generation unit to self-propel along rails laid parallel to the direction of slab transport.

[0009] Patent Document 2 describes a method in which a thermoelectric power generation unit of a thermoelectric power generation device is attached to the underside of a dummy bar table body that descends toward the slab conveying line, via a water-cooled plate.

[0010] Patent Document 3 describes a system in which a thermoelectric power generation unit of a thermoelectric power generation device is attached to the underside of a dummy bar table via a means of movement, allowing the thermoelectric power generation unit to move freely between a position facing the slab and a retracted position next to the dummy bar.

[0011] Thus, conventionally, in continuous casting machines with dummy bars inserted from below, the location where the thermoelectric power generation device can be installed is predetermined and limited. This has resulted in the problem that the installation and removal of the thermoelectric power generation device are not easy due to its integration with the conveyor line.

[0012] This invention is proposed in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a power generation unit device and casting system that are configured independently of a continuous casting line, allow for free changes in the installation location of the thermoelectric power generation device, and are easy to install and remove. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of this application comprises a thermoelectric power generation unit that converts the thermal energy of a cast steel billet cast by a casting line into electrical energy, and a trolley provided independently of the casting line, which holds the thermoelectric power generation unit so as to be able to move up and down, and which can position the thermoelectric power generation unit at any position on the casting line such that the thermoelectric power generation unit faces the cast steel billet.

[0014] Furthermore, a second aspect of this application comprises a power generation unit device comprising: a casting line for casting cast steel billets; a thermoelectric power generation unit for converting the thermal energy of the cast steel billets cast by the casting line into electrical energy; and a trolley provided independently of the casting line, which holds the thermoelectric power generation unit so as to be able to move up and down, and which can be positioned at any position on the casting line such that the thermoelectric power generation unit faces the cast steel billets. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to this invention, it is possible to provide a power generation unit device and casting system that are configured independently of the continuous casting line, allow for free changes in the installation location of the thermoelectric power generation device, and are easy to install and remove. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a casting system equipped with a power generation unit device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of installing a power generation unit device into a casting system, illustrating the system's lines in a cross-section. [Figure 3] This shows a configuration example of a power generation unit device. In the figure (a), it is a side view of the power generation unit device, and in the figure (b), it is a rear view of the power generation unit device. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged view showing the jack part of the power generation unit device shown in FIG. 3 taken out.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, the power generation unit device and the casting system according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] Embodiment FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a casting system (continuous casting line) 10 according to this embodiment.

[0019] In this casting system 10, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the molten steel accommodated in the ladle 11 is poured into the mold 13 via the tundish 12. The molten steel poured into the mold 13 is drawn out from the mold 13 in a state where solidification has started, and is gradually cooled to become a slab 15 by being sent by a plurality of restraining rollers 14R of the curved portion 14 arranged opposite to each other. The slab 15 further passes through the roller group 16R of the soft reduction device 16 arranged opposite to each other and is sent to the cutter front table 17.

[0020] Here, the slab 15 is, for example, a plate-shaped steel slab (cast steel slab) having a thickness of 50 mm or more and a ratio of width to thickness of 2 or more, and is mainly used as a rolling material for steel plates and steel strips. Generally, it is also referred to as a slab, etc., and a slab having a ratio of width to thickness exceeding 4 is also called a wide slab (definition of ISO 6929).

[0021] In this embodiment, on the cutter front table 17 of the casting system 10, a plurality of conveying rollers 19R are arranged at substantially equal intervals only on the lower side of the conveying line, and the power generation unit device 20 that can be freely inserted onto the conveying line can be arranged.

[0022] The power generation unit device 20, as shown in Figure 2 for example, consists of a thermoelectric power generation unit 30 mounted (held) on a trolley 29. The device is configured to allow for easy retrofitting of the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 to a position facing the cast slab 15 on the transport roller 19R as the trolley 29 moves forward (to the left of the page), perpendicular to the transport direction of the cast slab 15.

[0023] In other words, in this power generation unit device 20, the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 is positioned opposite the cast slab 15, and the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 generates electricity using the waste heat from the cast slab 15 being transported along the transport line by the transport roller 19R as a heat source. Details of this power generation unit device 20 will be described later.

[0024] In Figure 1, a gas cutter 18, which acts as a cutting machine, is provided at the front (downstream) of the cutter front table 17, and the cast slabs 15 being transported by the transport rollers 19R are cut to a predetermined length. The gas cutter 18 is, for example, mounted to be movable along rails (not shown) laid in the direction of transport of the cast slabs 15.

[0025] Figure 2 shows an example of the installation of the power generation unit device 20 into the casting system 10, with the transport line for the cast slabs 15 cut off.

[0026] Specifically, the power generation unit device 20 is moved by the person in charge 1 along with the trolley 29 at, for example, the position of the cutter front table 17 of the casting system 10, and inserted onto the conveying line from a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the cast slab 15. In this way, the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 of the power generation unit device 20 is positioned to face the cast slab 15 on the conveying roller 19R.

[0027] The power generation unit device 20 is equipped with, for example, a manual linear jack device 40 for raising and lowering the thermoelectric power generation unit 30, and the distance between the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 and the cast slab 15 can be varied as the person in charge 1 operates the rotation handle 41a of the jack section (linear rack jack) 41, which will be described later.

[0028] Here, the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 converts thermal energy (waste heat) from the opposing cast slab 15 into electrical energy for recovery, and for example, has one or more thermoelectric conversion elements.

[0029] Furthermore, commercially available waste heat recovery units (for example, KSGU250-A00 manufactured by KELK Corporation) can be easily used as this thermoelectric power generation unit 30.

[0030] Thus, in this embodiment, the power generation unit device 20 is configured independently of the casting system 10, and the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 is mounted on a freely movable trolley 29. This makes it easy to move the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 to any position in the casting system 10. Therefore, in the casting system 10, the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 can be easily installed when power is being generated, and conversely, it can be easily moved or removed when it is not needed.

[0031] Next, we will explain the configuration of the power generation unit device 20 in more detail.

[0032] Figure 3 shows an example configuration of the power generation unit device 20, where Figure (a) is a side view and Figure (b) is a rear view.

[0033] The power generation unit device 20 includes, for example, a trolley 29 that is movable in the directions of the arrows X1 and X2 shown, which are perpendicular to the transport direction of the cast slab 15, a thermoelectric power generation unit 30 that is held by the trolley 29 so as to be able to vary the distance to the opposing cast slab 15 in the directions of the arrows Z1 and Z2 shown, and a linear jack device 40 connected to the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 for varying the distance to the cast slab 15.

[0034] The trolley 29 is, for example, a frame structure and consists of a lower frame member 21, a front frame member 22, an inclined member 23, an upper frame member 24, a rear member 25, an operating handle 26, and casters 28.

[0035] For example, a pair of front frame members 22 are provided in an upright position at a predetermined height on the front side (X1 side) of the rectangular lower frame member 21, and an upper frame member 24 is provided parallel to the lower frame member 21 on the front side of the front frame member 22, which is opposite the lower frame member 21. A pair of rear members 25 are provided in an upright position on the rear side (X2 side) of the lower frame member 21. The rear members 25 are operated by the person in charge 1 when moving the position of the power generation unit device 20, and have a predetermined height, with an operating handle 26 provided at a specific position.

[0036] The inclined member 23 is provided in a diagonal brace-like manner between the middle portion of the front frame member 22 and the rear upper surface of the lower frame member 21 to reinforce the front frame member 22. The casters 28 are positioned at the four corners of the lower surface of the lower frame member 21, making it easy to move the power generation unit device 20 horizontally.

[0037] Furthermore, a thermoelectric power generation unit 30 is attached to this trolley 29 via a linear jack device 40, and a horizontal mechanism 50 is provided to maintain the horizontal position of the thermoelectric power generation unit 30. The horizontal mechanism 50 operates in synchronization with the linear jack device 40 when the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 is raised and lowered by the linear jack device 40 in the vertical direction (in the direction of arrows Z2 and Z1 in the figure), thereby maintaining the horizontal position of the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 during the raising and lowering operation.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, for example, the linear jack device 40 is configured such that, in accordance with the rotation direction R of the rotation handle 41a of the jack unit 41 which is manually operated by the person in charge 1, a round rack 42 that engages with it via a rotating member 41b slides in the vertical direction Z. Accordingly, the wires 43 stretched across the pulleys 44 and 45 are pulled or loosened, allowing the distance in the direction (directions of arrows Z1 and Z2 in the figure) facing the cast slab 15 of the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 to be freely varied.

[0039] Therefore, the position (distance) of the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 facing the cast slab 15 can be adjusted to an optimal position that always allows for good power generation, depending on the temperature of the cast slab 15. Moreover, it is also possible to easily move it from that optimal position (facing position) to a retracted position.

[0040] The jack section 41 is attached and fixed to the middle section 46 of the front frame member 22 by bolts 47 or the like via mounting member 48, the pulley 44 is attached to the rear upper surface of the upper frame member 24, and the pulley 45 is attached to the front upper surface of the upper frame member 24.

[0041] Furthermore, it is not limited to the manually operated linear jacking device 40; for example, electric cylinders or air cylinders can also be easily employed.

[0042] As described above, according to this embodiment, the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 is configured independently of the casting system 10, allowing for flexible changes in the installation location and enabling easy installation and removal.

[0043] In other words, the power generation unit device 20 is configured to be independent of the casting system 10, with a thermoelectric power generation unit 30 that converts the thermal energy of the cast slab 15 into electrical energy for recovery mounted on a freely movable trolley 29. This makes it easy to freely move the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 to any position in the casting system 10. Therefore, in the casting system 10, it is easy to install the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 when power is being generated, and it is easy to move or remove the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 together with the power generation unit device 20 when it is not needed (when power is not being generated).

[0044] In particular, by configuring the power generation unit 20 independently of the casting system 10, one power generation unit 20 can be used across multiple production lines, regardless of the casting system 10, thereby reducing costs.

[0045] Furthermore, by allowing the distance between the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 and the cast slab 15 to be arbitrarily changed according to the temperature and height of the cast slab 15, the amount of power generated by the thermoelectric power generation unit 30 can be easily adjusted.

[0046] Furthermore, the cast slab 15 can be applied not only to slabs, but also to casting lines that cast blooms, billets, and other similar materials. [Industrial applicability]

[0047] This invention is a system that generates electricity using a thermoelectric power generation device by utilizing waste heat from a heat source, and can be used, for example, for power generation in a continuous casting machine with a dummy bar inserted downwards. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 10. Casting System (Continuous Casting Line) 15. Cast slabs (cast steel billets / slabs) 17 Cutter Front Table 19R Conveyor Roller 20 Power generation unit device 29 bogies 30 Thermoelectric power generation units 40 Linear jacking device 41. Jack section (linear rack jack)

Claims

1. A thermoelectric power generation unit that converts the thermal energy of cast steel billets cast by a casting line into electrical energy, A trolley provided independently of the casting line, capable of holding the thermoelectric power generation unit so as to be able to move up and down, and capable of positioning the thermoelectric power generation unit at any position on the casting line such that the thermoelectric power generation unit faces the cast steel billet, A suitable power generation unit device.

2. The power generation unit device according to claim 1, wherein the raising and lowering of the thermoelectric power generation unit is performed using a manual linear jack, and the distance between the thermoelectric power generation unit and the cast steel slab is adjusted according to the temperature of the cast steel slab.

3. The power generation unit device according to claim 1, wherein the raising and lowering of the thermoelectric power generation unit is performed automatically using an electric cylinder or an air cylinder, and the distance between the thermoelectric power generation unit and the cast steel slab is adjusted according to the temperature of the cast steel slab.

4. A casting line for casting cast steel billets, A power generation unit device comprising: a thermoelectric power generation unit that converts the thermal energy of the cast steel billet cast by the casting line into electrical energy; and a trolley provided independently of the casting line, which holds the thermoelectric power generation unit so as to be able to move up and down, and which allows the thermoelectric power generation unit to be installed at any position on the casting line so as to face the cast steel billet; A casting system equipped with this system.

5. The casting system according to claim 4, wherein the thermoelectric power generation unit is raised and lowered using a manual linear jack, and the distance between the thermoelectric power generation unit and the cast steel slab is adjusted according to the temperature of the cast steel slab.

6. The casting system according to claim 4, wherein the raising and lowering of the thermoelectric power generation unit is performed automatically using an electric cylinder or an air cylinder, and the distance between the thermoelectric power generation unit and the cast steel slab is adjusted according to the temperature of the cast steel slab.

Images