Rotatable Insert Submerged Nozzle for Steel Casting Flow Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing submerged nozzles in continuous steel casting lack flow stability, leading to unsymmetrical flow patterns and increased inclusion of non-metallic impurities in the steel, which affects the quality of the steel produced.
Innovation Solution
A submerged nozzle with a rotatable insert, where molten steel flows through the nozzle and drives the rotation of the insert, improving flow stability and reducing the occurrence of undesirable meniscus rolls by maintaining a stable double-roll flow pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional submerged nozzle is used, then the structure is simple, but the flow stability is poor and meniscus rolls occur
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is designed to rotate dynamically in response to the flowing molten steel, rather than being fixed. This rotation allows the nozzle to adapt to flow conditions and maintain stable flow patterns, preventing meniscus rolls while managing the complexity through a single movable component
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is divided into a stationary outer shell and a rotating inner insert. This segmentation allows the insert to independently rotate and control flow patterns, improving flow stability without requiring the entire nozzle structure to be complex
2Ease of manufacture
If the nozzle structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but unsymmetrical flow patterns and inclusions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating insert automatically adjusts itself through the flow of molten steel, with no external control system needed. The insert's rotation is driven by the steel flow itself, which eliminates the need for complex drive mechanisms while maintaining symmetrical flow patterns that prevent inclusions
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic rotation of the insert creates symmetrical flow patterns that prevent the formation of unsymmetrical flow structures, thereby reducing inclusion formation while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple
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
The rotatable insert significantly enhances flow stability, reducing meniscus rolls and minimizing non-metallic inclusions, resulting in higher quality steel production by maintaining a consistent double-roll flow pattern during the casting process.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation of the rotatable insert is driven by the stream of molten metal
Data Source
AI summary
Submerged nozzle (1) through which molten steel can be poured from a tundish into a mould, said nozzle comprising: a substantially tubular body (2), extending from a first end (3) to a second end (4); a passageway (5), extending through the tubular body (2) along a longitudinal axis (A) from the first end (3) towards the second end (4); at least one inlet port (6), opening into the passageway (5) at said first end (3); a plurality of outlet ports (8), opening into the passageway (5) in a region (7) adjacent to the second end (4); and at least one rotatable insert (10); whereas the submerged nozzle (1) with the at least one rotatable insert (10) is configured that a molten metal entering the submerged nozzle (1) at the at least one inlet port (6) flows through the passageway (5) and around the rotatable insert (10) and exits the submerged entry nozzle (1) via the plurality of outlet ports (8), such that a rotation of the rotatable insert (10) is driven by the stream of molten metal.