Continuous Casting Breakout Prediction via Mold Temperature Interpolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breakout prediction methods in continuous casting machines are prone to erroneous detection due to factors other than breakout signs, such as changes in casting speed or solid product width, leading to inaccurate predictions and decreased productivity.

Innovation Solution

A breakout prediction method that uses thermometers embedded in the mold to calculate sensitivity coefficients and degree of deviation through interpolation processing, reducing casting speed when a breakout is predicted to prevent shell breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-speed casting is performed to improve productivity, then casting speed increases, but the thickness of the solidified shell decreases and becomes uneven, causing breakout

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecasting speedVSAvoidsolidified shell thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of breakout signs by monitoring temperature changes in the mold before actual breakout occurs. By detecting temperature patterns that indicate shell thinning or uneven solidification, the system can take preventive action to avoid breakout during high-speed casting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors temperature data from thermometers embedded in the mold and provides real-time feedback on shell thickness conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when the solidified shell becomes too thin or uneven, enabling corrective measures to maintain shell integrity during high-speed casting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If conventional temperature monitoring methods are used to detect breakout, then breakout prediction is possible, but erroneous detection occurs due to temperature changes from factors other than breakout

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreakout detection accuracyVSAvoidtemperature measurement interpretation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the temperature monitoring function by using multiple thermometers positioned at different locations and depths within the mold. Each thermometer provides independent data points that can be analyzed separately, allowing the system to distinguish between temperature changes caused by breakout and those caused by other factors like casting speed variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from single-point temperature measurement to multi-dimensional temperature field monitoring. By measuring temperature at multiple positions and depths simultaneously, the system creates a three-dimensional temperature distribution map that provides context for interpreting temperature changes and reduces erroneous detections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If multiple temperature measuring devices are arranged in arrays to improve detection accuracy, then breakout prediction improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreakout detection accuracyVSAvoidtemperature measuring array configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermometers embedded in the mold serve multiple functions: they monitor temperature for breakout detection, track shell thickness development, and provide data on solidification patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Accurately predicts breakouts, reducing the risk of erroneous detections and maintaining productivity by adjusting casting speed based on temperature changes and shell thickness.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of thermometers 8 embedded in a mold 5

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4151335B1Breakout prediction method, operation method of continuous casting machine, and breakout prediction device
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 JFE STEEL CORP
  • EP4151335B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4151335B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3(b)
  • EP4151335B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

A breakout prediction method includes: a step of inputting a dimension of a solid product withdrawn from a mold in a continuous casting machine; a step of detecting a temperature of the mold by a plurality of thermometers embedded in the mold; a step of executing interpolation processing on the detected temperatures detected by the plurality of thermometers according to the dimension of the solid product; a step of calculating, based on the temperatures calculated by executing the interpolation processing, a component in a direction orthogonal to an influence coefficient vector obtained by principal component analysis as a degree of deviation from during a normal operation in which a breakout has not occurred; and a step of predicting a breakout based on the degree of deviation.