Method to prevent/mitigate steam explosions in casting pits

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:870750

Taleyarkhan, Rusi P ^[1]

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1. Knoxville, TN

Steam explosions can be prevented or mitigated during a metal casting process by the placement of a perforated flooring system in the casting pit. An upward flow of compressed gas through this perforated flooring system is introduced during the casting process to produce a buffer layer between any spilled molten metal and the cooling water in the reservoir. This buffer layer provides a hydrodynamic layer which acts to prevent or mitigate steam explosions resulting from hot, molten metal being spilled into or onto the cooling water.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
• Patent Number(s): US 5586597
• OSTI ID: 870750
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
prevent
mitigate
steam
explosions
casting
pits
prevented
mitigated
metal
process
placement
perforated
flooring
pit
upward
flow
compressed
gas
introduced
produce
buffer
layer
spilled
molten
cooling
water
reservoir
provides
hydrodynamic
resulting
hot
metal casting
upward flow
compressed gas
buffer layer
cooling water
molten metal
layer provides
casting process
steam explosions
casting pit
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