The goal of each production is to maximize the yield and the profit. At steel ingot production that means as small and as flat top ingot head surface as possible. This way the casting yield is the highest. The ingot head contains remains of casting flux, anti-piping compound, non-metallic inclusions, etc. and has to be removed. The following advantages are obtained by minimizing the size of the ingot head:
- Increased Casting yield
- Increased Productivity
- Increased Directional solidification
- Increased Ingot soundness
- Decreased occurrence of Shrinkage cavity/Piping within ingot body
- Decreased Power consumption
- Decreased consumption of auxiliar materials
- Decreased consumption of alloying elements
For the same amount of steel to produce we thou need less time, less electricity, less raw and auxiliary materials, etc. and we get better quality steel on top of that.
The influence of “Hot Top” on ingot solidification is shown on the picture below. Hot top was applied on the right ingot mold, inside of the top of the mold, while the left mold was without it. In this particular case, just saving in liquid steel amount is around 15%. Plus, other benefits already listed above: increased productivity, increased soundness, increased power consumption, …
