Process for separating non-metallic inclusions from hot liquid metal

Claim 2

A process for separating non-metallic inclusions from hot liquid metal in a tundish which is separated into first and second compartments, the second compartment containing a liquid metal sump covered by a slag layer, comprising: supplying the metal to the first compartment; guiding the metal in the first compartment into the second compartment in the form of at least one stream of metal, said stream originating at a preselected distance of from 3 to 30 cm below the metal sump surface and being directed at a speed in a certain range in an upward direction to impinge against the slag layer and form a wave therein, the speed of said stream being adjusted to remain within a range of from 3.5 to 31 cm/sec when the preselected distance is 3 cm and linearly increasing with distance to a range of from 17.5 to 45 cm/sec when the preselected distance is 30 cm; and allowing the metal in the second compartment to exit through a drain in the second compartment.

Claim 3

The process set forth in claim 13, wherein non-metallic inclusions are separated from aluminum killed soft steel.

Claim 4

The process set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one stream is directed towards the surface of the metal sump covered by a slag layer at an angle of from 30* to 90*.

Claim 5

A process for separating non-metallic inclusions from hot liquid steel comprising 0 to 0.20 percent C, 0.25 to 1.60 percent Mn, 0.02 to 0.1 percent Al and 0 to 30 percent Si, balance iron, in a tundish of a continuous casting plant, said tundish being separated into first and second compartments and containing a liquid metal sump covered by a slag layer in the second compartment, comprising the steps of: supplying the steel containing the impurities to the first compartment of the tundish; guiding the metal in the first compartment of the tundish into the second compartment of the tundish in the form of at least one stream of metal, said stream originating at a preselected distance of from 3 to 30 cm below the metal sump surface in the second compartment and being directed at a speed in a certain range in an upward direction to impinge against the slag and form a wave therein, the speed of said stream being adjusted to remain within a range of from 3.5 to 31 cm/sec when the preselected distance is 3 cm and linearly increasing with distance to range of from 17.5 to 45 cm/sec when the preselected distance is 30 cm; and permitting the steel to flow out of the second compartment of said tundish through at least one drain tube into a water-cooled mould from which a solidifying cast bar is continuously drawn out.

Claim 6

A process for separating non-metallic inclusions from hot liquid steel comprising 0 to 0.20 percent C, 0.25 to 1.60 percent Mn, 0.02 to 0.1 percent Al and 0 to 30 percent Si, balance iron, in a tundish of a continuous casting plant, said tundish being separated into first and second compartments and containing a liquid metal sump covered by a slag layer in the second compartment, comprising the steps of: supplying the steel containing the impurities to the first compartment of the tundish; guiding the metal in the first compartment of the tundish into the second compartment of the tundish in the form of at least one stream of metal, said stream originating at a preselected distance of from 3 to 30 cm below the metal sump surface in the second compartment and being directed at a speed in a certain range in an upward direction to impinge against the slag and form a wave therein, the speed of said stream being adjusted to remain within a range of from 3.5 to 31 cm/sec when the preselected distance is 3 cm and linearly increasing with distance to range of from 17.5 to 45 cm/sec when the preselected distance is 30 cm; and permitting the steel to flow out of the second compartment of said tundish through at least one drain tube into a water-cooled mould from which a solidifying cast bar is continuously drawn out.