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Apparatus for the continuous or semi-continuous casting of molten aluminium to form an ingot in the mould (8) of a casting machine, comprising a launder (4), a casting mould and feed means (2) which are coupled to the launder and extend into the casting mould, and wherein the feed means are connecte

Apparatus for the continuous or semi-continuous casting of molten aluminium to form an ingot in the mould (8) of a casting machine, comprising a launder (4), a casting mould and feed means (2) which are coupled to the launder and extend into the casting mould, and wherein the feed means are connected to the underside of a tundish (3), said tundish is provided with an inlet member (10) for admitting molten aluminium from the launder (4) into the tundish and further with pressure-reducing means (5) for lowering the absolute gas pressure in that part of the tundish which is above the molten aluminium admitted into the tundish.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Apparatus for the continuous or semi-continuous casting of molten aluminium to form an ingot in the mould of a casting machine, the apparatus comprising a launder, a casting mould and feed means which are coupled to the launder and extend into the casting mould, characterized in that the feed mea

1. Apparatus for the continuous or semi-continuous casting of molten aluminium to form an ingot in the mould of a casting machine, the apparatus comprising a launder, a casting mould and feed means which are coupled to the launder and extend into the casting mould, characterized in that the feed means are connected to the underside of a tundish, said tundish is provided with an inlet member for admitting molten aluminium from the launder into the tundish and further with pressure-reducing means for lowering the absolute gas pressure in that part of the tundish which is above the molten aluminium admitted into the tundish. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-reducing means, during use, are able to produce an absolute gas pressure in a range from 0.50 to 0.97 bar in that part of the tundish which lies above the molten aluminium admitted into the tundish. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressure-reducing means, during use, are able to produce an absolute gas pressure in a range from 0.75 to 0.95 bar in that part of the tundish which lies above the molten aluminium admitted into the tundish. 4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the feed means comprise a casting nozzl e, which is formed in such a way that the fluid flow pattern of the molten aluminium into the casting mould is substantially stable and symmetrical. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the total outlet area of the casting nozzle divided by the horizontal cross sectional area of the casting mould lies in a range from 0.0001 to 0.1, and preferably in a range from 0.001 to 0.1. 6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, for casting an ingot having a length, a width and a thickness, and wherein the casting mould has dimensions for casting an ingot with a thickness of 450 mm or more. 7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, for casting an ingot having a length, a width and a thickness, and wherein the casting mould has dimensions for casting an ingot with a width of 2000 mm or more. 8. Method for the continuous or semi-continuous casting of molten aluminium to form an ingot in the mould of a casting machine, comprising the steps of casting molten aluminium via a launder and by using feed means which are coupled to said launder and extend into a casting mould, characterized in that the absolute gas pressure is being lowered, by means of pressure-reducing means, above the molten aluminium admitted in to a tundish, said tundish being coupled at its underside to the feed means and is further provided with an inlet member for admitting molten aluminium from launder into the tundish. 9. Method according to claim 8, wherein in use, an absolute gas pressure in a range from 0.50 to 0.97 bar is applied in that part of the tundish which lies above the molten aluminium admitted into the tundish. 10. Method according to claim 9, wherein in during use, an absolute gas pressure in a range from 0.75 to 0.95 bar is applied in that part of the tundish which lies above the molten aluminium admitted into the tundish. 11. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the aluminium is cast into a substantially rectangular ingot having a thickness and a width, the thickness being 450 mm or more. 12. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the aluminium is cast into a substantially rectangular ingot having a thickness and a width, the width being 2300 mm or more. 13. Casting nozzle for use in an apparatus according to claim 4 or5 or in the method according to any one of claims 8 to 12. 14. A tundish for use in an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or in the method according to any one of claims 8 to 10.