Method and apparatus for removal of cooling water from ingots by means of water jets

Abstract

The exemplary embodiments relate to the removal of cooling water used to cool the surface of an ingot as it is formed during casting. The cooling water is removed from the surface by directing jets of water onto the surface at an angle, and with a momentum, that causes the cooling water to be stripped from the surface when contacted with the jets, and to follow a path that prevents the cooling water from again coming into contact with the ingot surface at a position beyond the point of removal. The apparatus for this includes nozzles to create the water jets, and equipment for supplying water under sufficient pressure and rate of flow to the nozzles.

1 . A method of removing cooling water from a surface of a metal ingot, wherein said cooling water streams over said surface in a casting direction, the method comprising:
 directing one or more water sprays onto said surface at an angle and rate of flow effective to cause said cooling water streaming over said surface to separate from said surface as said cooling water encounters said one or more water sprays.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said water sprays are directed onto said surface at an angle within a range of 65 to 75 degrees in a direction countercurrent to said streaming direction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said water sprays each have a rate of flow of up to about 1 gallon per minute. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said water sprays made generally flat and fan shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said fan shaped sprays are positioned close to one another so that the sprays overlap where the sprays contact the ingot. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said water sprays are positioned close to each other so that the amount by which said sprays overlap is in the range of 1 to 2 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said sprays each extend over an arc of at least 65 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said nozzles are separated from each other by a distance of up to 5 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cooling water removed from said surface by said sprays, and water from said sprays after contact with said surface, is constrained to follow a path remote from said surface of the ingot. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cooling water removed from said surface, and water from said sprays after contact with said surface, is maintained out of contact with said surface but confined to a region surrounding said ingot. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  applied to an ingot emerging from a direct chill casting mold provided with orifices applying said cooling water to said surface of said ingot, wherein said sprays are all directed onto said surface at a predetermined distance from said direct chill casting mold. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said ingot is generally rectangular and has four sides, and wherein said sprays are directed onto all said four sides of said ingot at said predetermined distance from said direct chill casting mold. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said direct chill casting mold is orientated for vertical casting. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus for removing cooling water from a surface of a metal ingot, wherein said cooling water streams over said surface in a casting direction, said apparatus comprising:
 one or more nozzles adapted to direct water sprays onto said surface, said nozzles being positioned and angled such that said water sprays are effective in use to cause said cooling water streaming over said surface to separate from said surface as said cooling water encounters said sprays;   one or more conduits for supplying water to said nozzles; and   pressurizing apparatus for pressurizing water supplied to said nozzles.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said one or more nozzles are orientated at an angle to said surface within a range of 65 to 75 degrees in a direction countercurrent to said streaming direction. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said water sprays are rated for a flow of up to about 1.5 gallons per minute. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said nozzles are configured to generate water sprays that are generally flat and fan shaped. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said nozzles are positioned close to one another so that the sprays overlap where the sprays contact the ingot. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said nozzles are positioned close to each other so that the amount by which said sprays overlap is in the range of 1 to 2 inches. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the nozzles are configured such that the fan shaped sprays each extend over an arc of at least 65 degrees. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said nozzles are separated from each other by a distance of up to 5 inches. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said nozzles are configured such that said cooling water removed from said surface by said sprays, and water from said sprays after contact with said surface, is constrained to follow a path remote from said surface of the ingot. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said nozzles are configured such that said cooling water removed from said surface, and water from said sprays after contact with said surface, is maintained out of contact with said surface but confined to a region surrounding said ingot. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 14  including a direct chill casting mold for producing said ingot, said mold being provided with orifices applying said cooling water to said surface of said ingot, wherein said nozzles are positioned at a predetermined distance from an outlet of said direct chill casting mold. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said ingot is generally rectangular and has four sides, and wherein said nozzles are positioned on all said four sides of said ingot at said predetermined distance from said direct chill casting mold. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said direct chill casting mold is orientated for vertical casting.