Apparatus and method for the continuous casting of metal products

Abstract

An apparatus for the continuous casting of metal products includes an ingot mold and a nozzle for feeding molten metal provided with at least one main outlet configured to direct the molten metal substantially toward the lower part of the ingot mold, and a plurality of secondary outlets configured to direct the molten metal substantially toward the lateral walls of the ingot mold.

1 . Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal products, comprising an ingot mold and a submerged nozzle for feeding molten metal, said ingot mold having a substantially rectangular section provided with narrow lateral walls and with wide lateral walls, said nozzle being provided with at least one main axial outlet configured to direct said molten metal mainly toward the lower part of said ingot mold, and a plurality of secondary outlets configured to direct said molten metal mainly toward said narrow lateral walls of said ingot mold, the apparatus comprising at least a first electromagnetic system associated at least with said opposite wide lateral walls of said ingot mold and configured to mainly regulate a first flow of molten metal exiting from said main outlet, and at least a second distinct electromagnetic system associated with said opposite wide lateral walls and configured to mainly regulate second flows of molten metal exiting from said secondary outlets. 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said first electromagnetic system is positioned at a certain height below said main outlet. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said first electromagnetic system is a static system with two or three magnetic bodies around which corresponding electric coils are wound. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said first electromagnetic system is configured at least to slow down the first flow of molten metal exiting from said main outlet and possibly stabilize it as well as the second flows exiting from said secondary outlets. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said second electromagnetic system is positioned substantially at the height of said lateral outlets. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore  claim 1 , wherein said second electromagnetic system comprises a plurality of electromagnetic stirrers positioned on said opposite wide lateral walls of said ingot mold. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as in  claim 6 , characterized in wherein said second electromagnetic system comprises four electromagnetic stirrers positioned on said wide lateral walls in pairs. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein each of said electromagnetic stirrers comprises a magnetic body on which a series of excitation electric coils is mounted. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said second electromagnetic system is configured to slow down or accelerate the second flowsof molten metal exiting from said secondary outlets. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said second electromagnetic system is configured to rotate the second flows of molten metal exiting from said secondary outlets. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said second electromagnetic system is positioned above said first electromagnetic system. 
     
     
         12 . Method for the continuous casting of metal products, comprising feeding molten metal to an ingot mold by means of a nozzle provided with at least one main outlet configured to direct said molten metal mainly toward the lower part of said ingot mold, and a plurality of secondary outlets configured to direct said molten metal mainly toward narrow lateral walls of said ingot mold, wherein a first flow of molten metal exiting from said main outlet is regulated by means of at least a first electromagnetic system associated with opposite wide lateral walls of said ingot mold, and second flows of molten metal exiting from said secondary outlets are regulated by means of at least a second distinct electromagnetic system associated with said opposite wide lateral walls of said ingot mold.