2009 Volume 95 Issue 1 Pages 33-42
We have started a development of swirling flow submerged entry nozzles in 1997 as a fundamental and effective measure for controlling flow pattern in continuous casting molds.
As a first step, we have developed a swirling flow submerged entry nozzle for round billet casting in Wakayama works. Then we started the development of swirling flow submerged entry nozzles for slab casting. A main purpose of our development was to prove the effect of the swirling flow formation in submerged entry nozzles which improve quality of products and productivity of continuous casting processes. We have examined swirling flow submerged entry nozzles with swirl blade in these main bodies, because that was the easiest way to apply swirling flow to submerged entry nozzles in continuous casters without any investment of facilities. We had only to change a submerged entry nozzle for the experiment.
Swirling flow submerged entry nozzles for slab casting have been developed and examined in Wakayama and Kashima works. As a result of these examinations, the effect of the swirling flow formation in submerged entry nozzles was evaluated to increase casting speed and improve surface quality of slabs and steel sheets.
