Potentials, currents and thermoelectric effects at continuous casting

O. Lielausis¹ - J. Klavins¹ - A. Mikelsons¹ - J. Valdmanis¹ - V. Golovanov²

¹ Institute of Physics, Latvian Academy of Sciences, Salaspils-1, LV-2169, Latvia
² State join-stock company "Liepajas Metalurgs", Latvia

Abstract
More than 3000 casting cycles were performed on crystalizers equipped with constant magnets mounted inside the mold body. A reduction of emergency breakouts and a concentration of silicate macroinclusions in the central part of the ingot was stated. On continuous casting machine measurements were performed confirming predictions that in the solidifying steel ingot and the adjacent elements large-scale thermoelectric currents can be expected. In copper walls potential gradients of the order 0.3 mV/m were detected, between liquid steel and wall potential ~6-10 mV. A current of the order 50-60 A was measured, flowing along the axis of the ingot. In additionally, generated by thermocurrent magnetic field was measured in modeling experiments - outside a cylindrical crucible containing solidifying Cd, Zn, Sn or Bi. Tabl. 1, figs 3, refs 3.