EP0422196B1 - Process and installation for producing a lining on the internal walls of a metallurgical vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

A metallurgical vessel (1) to be lined, whose internal walls are relatively hot, is placed on a suitable support. The support is tilted and the metallurgical vessel (1) brought successively into several different positions in each of which an internal wall or part of an internal wall of the vessel is essentially horizontal and facing upward. In each of said positions, at least one layer of essentially dry material consisting of a mixture of refractory particles and a thermosetting binder or equivalent is spread oversaid internal wall or part of an internal wall. The composition and particle size of the mixture of refractory particles are such that the mixture sinters on contact with the molten metal. This material is spread so as to form a substantially uniform layer, the initial temperature of the internal walls of the vessel being sufficient to heat the material spread on them to a temperature at which the thermosetting binder or equivalent softens and sets and to form a monolithic lining (5) which adheres to the internal walls of the vessel.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a coating on the interior walls of a metallurgical container intended to receive liquid metal.

The present invention also relates to an installation for implementing the above method.

Several methods are known for producing a coating on the interior walls of a metallurgical container.

There is thus known, for example, according to French patent 2,393,637 of the applicant, a process in which one applies inside a metallurgical container, such as a tundish, by molding, tamping or spraying with trowel or pneumatic or other, a curable aqueous and pasty mixture containing inorganic particles, optionally fibers, an organic and / or inorganic binder. The mixture of particles sintered in contact with the liquid metal, which ensures the cohesion of the coating.

Also known is patent application EP-A-0 289 480, on which the preambles of claims 1 and 9 are based. This patent application describes a device allowing the economic implementation of a process known as "guniting". He therefore teaches projection under pressure, using a lance, of a pasty and curable aqueous mixture. Such a method makes it possible to project with a certain speed the particles already deposited and promotes the compactness and therefore the resistance of the coating thus obtained. It is however necessary to heat this coating to dry it.

Also known, according to French patent applications 2 585 273, 2 613 256 or 2 619 323 in the name of the applicant, a process according to which one applies to the interior of the metallurgical container, at least two layers of different compositions each applied by spraying a curable aqueous and pasty mixture of the aforementioned type.

These methods, which moreover give all satisfaction to the users, have however a drawback: it is necessary to remove by drying at least all the humidification water used for the formation of the aqueous mixture (s), which implies non-negligible downtime and energy expenditure.

There is also known a method according to which a template is placed inside a metallurgical container, a material composed of refractory particles and a thermosetting binder is pneumatically projected between the template and the interior walls of the container. leaving the template in place to cause the binder to harden, finally we remove the template. The sprayed material contains an inorganic compound containing water of crystallization.

According to other known methods requiring the use of a template, the material of the aforementioned type is compacted between the template and the interior walls of the container, either by tamping, or by vibration or impact.

There is known from patent application EP-A-0 105 795 a method and an installation for molding a refractory lining between a mold and the walls of the container to be protected. This document teaches to use a refractory or aggregate concrete containing a chemical or hydraulic binder ensuring the setting of the coating. The aggregate is a mixture of refractory product and water, which is preferably either aspirated or injected under pressure by a pump. It is therefore necessary to dry the coating after its formation. The heat stored in the container contributes to this drying. This document also recommends projecting the particles with a certain speed to facilitate their anchoring in those already deposited. Finally, leave the mold in place for the time necessary for the coating to set.

The use of a template, which in some cases must be left in place, is always a cause of loss of time and a source of expense by the handling and adjustments it requires.

In addition, heating the material through the template represents a certain energy consumption and additional time to immobilize the metallurgical container.

Finally, if the material is deposited on a permanent protective coating already worn, the use of a template which imposes a constant external profile of the coating results in the establishment of a layer of material of thickness greater than that necessary, which causes excessive and unnecessary consumption of this material.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of known methods and to propose a method which is simple, rapid and economical to use, and which is particularly well suited to producing the wear coating of a metallurgical container.

The object of the present invention is also to propose an installation for the implementation of said method.

• a) on place sur un support approprié un récipient métallurgique dont les parois intérieures à revêtir sont portées à une température déterminée ;
• b) on fait basculer le support et on amène le récipient métallurgique successivement dans plusieurs positions différentes dans chacune desquelles une paroi ou une partie de paroi intérieure du récipient est sensiblement horizontale et tournée vers le haut ;
• c) dans chacune des positions précitées, on répand sur ladite paroi ou partie de paroi intérieure au moins une couche d'un matériau sensiblement sec comprenant un mélange de particules réfractaires et un liant du type thermodurcissable ou équivalent, la composition et la granulométrie du mélange de particules réfractaires étant telles que ce mélange fritte au contact du métal liquide, et on étale ce matériau de manière à constituer une couche sensiblement régulière ;
• d) les parois intérieures du récipient étant initialement à ladite température déterminée, cette température étant suffisante pour pouvoir chauffer le matériau déposé sur celles-ci à une température permettant le ramollissement et la prise du liant du type thermodurcissable ou équivalent et de former ainsi un revêtement monolithique qui adhère aux parois intérieures du récipient.

According to the invention, the method for producing a coating on the interior walls of a metallurgical container intended to receive liquid metal is characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

• a) a metallurgical container is placed on an appropriate support, the internal walls to be coated are brought to a determined temperature;
• b) the support is tilted and the metallurgical container is brought successively to several different positions in each of which an inner wall or part of the container wall is substantially horizontal and turned upwards;
• c) in each of the aforementioned positions, at least one layer of a substantially dry material comprising a mixture of refractory particles and a binder of the thermosetting type or equivalent, is spread over said wall or part of the interior wall, the composition and the particle size of the mixture refractory particles being such that this mixture sintered in contact with the liquid metal, and this material is spread so as to constitute a substantially regular layer;
• d) the interior walls of the container being initially at said determined temperature, this temperature being sufficient to be able to heat the material deposited thereon to a temperature allowing the softening and setting of the binder of the thermosetting type or equivalent and thus to form a coating monolithic which adheres to the interior walls of the container.

It is thus possible to use a substantially dry material without having to mix it with water to form an aqueous mixture, then to dry the coating in place to remove this water.

Since the walls and bottom of the container are initially at a temperature sufficient to be able to heat the coating deposited at a temperature making it possible to cause the softening and the setting of the binder of the thermosetting type, the newly spread material forms with the material deposited previously a monolithic coating which adheres to the wall on which it is spread.

As soon as the wall or part of the wall to be coated has been coated, it is therefore possible to modify the position of the metallurgical container to coat another wall or part of the wall, or even to turn the container 180 ° to coat the wall opposite to the coated one, without risking to take off from it the deposited coating, or to drop refractory particles not yet linked to it.

The installation of the coating can therefore be carried out very quickly, without the aid of a template, and without the need for compaction of the material.

Furthermore, the material deposited being substantially dry, no drying is necessary, and, when the quality of the cast steel does not require the departure of the water of crystallization and / or certain gases which the coating may contain, the metallurgical container is therefore practically immediately returned to the operating circuit, which allows a very rapid rotation rate thereof.

In addition, the method makes it possible to deposit a layer of determined thickness: if a consumable layer is deposited on a partially worn permanent coating, it is possible to follow the external surface thereof and to avoid any unnecessary excess of material.

According to a preferred version of the invention, the coating obtained is refractory insulator.

It is therefore possible, in most cases, to use the metallurgical vessel without any preheating without risk that liquid metal cooled in contact with the walls will freeze against them, and thus save the time and calories required for this preheating.

• des moyens pour préparer ou recevoir un matériau sensiblement sec comprenant un mélange de particules réfractaires et un liant du type thermodurcissable ou équivalent, la composition et la granulométrie du mélange de particules étant telles que ce mélange fritte au contact du métal liquide ;
• des moyens formant support pour recevoir un récipient métallurgique dont les parois intérieures sont relativement chaudes ;
• des moyens pour faire basculer le support et pour amener le récipient métallurgique successivement dans plusieurs positions différentes dans chacune desquelles une paroi ou une partie de paroi intérieure du récipient est sensiblement horizontale et tournée vers le haut ;
• des moyens pour, dans chacune des positions précitées, répandre sur ladite paroi ou partie de paroi intérieure au moins une couche dudit matériau sensiblement sec, et étaler ce matériau de manière à constituer une couche sensiblement régulière.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the installation for producing a coating on the interior walls of a metallurgical container intended to receive a liquid metal, by the implementation of the aforementioned method, is characterized in that it comprises:

• means for preparing or receiving a substantially dry material comprising a mixture of refractory particles and a binder of the thermosetting type or equivalent, the composition and particle size of the mixture of particles being such that this mixture sintered in contact with the liquid metal;
• support means for receiving a metallurgical container whose inner walls are relatively hot;
• means for tilting the support and for bringing the metallurgical container successively into several different positions in each of which an inner wall or part of the container wall is substantially horizontal and turned upwards;
• means for, in each of the aforementioned positions, spreading on said wall or interior wall part at least one layer of said substantially dry material, and spreading this material so as to constitute a substantially regular layer.

As indicated above, this installation makes it possible, in most cases, without a template, to coat a coating which does not require any drying before putting the container back into service, and the newly spread material forms with the material already in place a monolithic block. which adheres to the wall.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the detailed description below.

• la figure 1 est un schéma avec arrachement d'une installation selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention et comprenant un robot pour revêtir une poche de coulée ;
• la figure 2 est un schéma, partiellement en coupe, d'une installation selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention pour revêtir une poche de coulée ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique partielle en coupe transversale d'un répartiteur de coulée continue placé dans un basculeur près du robot de la figure 1, le basculeur étant dans la position retournée ;
• les figures 4A, 4B et 4C sont des vues semblables à la figure 3, le répartiteur étant respectivement en position normale, en position basculée vers la gauche et en position basculée vers la droite, pour le dépôt du revêtement respectivement sur le fond et sur l'une et l'autre des deux parois latérales longitudinales.

In the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples:

• Figure 1 is a cutaway diagram of an installation according to a first embodiment of the invention and comprising a robot for coating a ladle;
• Figure 2 is a diagram, partially in section, of an installation according to another embodiment of the invention for coating a ladle;
• Figure 3 is a partial schematic view in cross section of a continuous casting distributor placed in a rocker near the robot of Figure 1, the rocker being in the inverted position;
• Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are views similar to Figure 3, the distributor being respectively in the normal position, in the tilted position to the left and in the tilted position to the right, for depositing the coating respectively on the bottom and on the one and the other of the two longitudinal side walls.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the installation according to the invention is suitable for coating the interior walls of a ladle 1 whose casing 2, provided with ears 3, is internally lined with a coating permanent refractory 4, made of shaped bricks or refractory concrete.

This permanent refractory coating 4 must be covered with a wear coating 5 deposited on the bottom and the inner side walls of the ladle 1 and intended to be in contact with the liquid metal.

The ladle 1 is placed on a tilting support (not shown) known per se. This support tilting can receive the pocket 1 in the position shown in dashes in the figure, in which the bottom of the pocket 1 is substantially horizontal. The support can also tilt the pocket 1 into the position shown in solid lines, in which the lowest part of the interior wall of the pocket is substantially horizontal and turned upwards.

The tilting support comprises means, known in themselves and shown diagrammatically by rollers 6, 7, 8, for rotating the pocket 1 around its axis X, X ', in this tilted position, as shown diagrammatically by the arrows 9.

The installation comprises means for preparing or receiving and conveying a substantially dry material intended to be spread to form the wear coating 5.

In the example shown schematically in the figure, these means consist of two hoppers 10a, 10b, mounted on a frame 11 and adapted to receive, in bags (not shown) or by a conveyor, for example a conveyor belt (not shown ), the substantially dry mixture to be deposited. In known manner, these hoppers 10a, 10b can be alternately closed and pressurized with compressed air for the pneumatic transport of the material by a flexible pipe 12 to a cyclonic separator 13 which separates the material to be deposited from the air of transport. The material can thus be conveyed without pressure by simple gravity in a flexible pipe 14 to the discharge point 15 which can be provided with a valve (not shown).

In the example shown, the cyclonic separator 13 and the flexible pipe 14 are carried by a robot 16.

The robot 16 has a substantially vertical barrel 17, which can rotate around its axis by relative to a fixed base 18 and driven in rotation in one direction or the other, as indicated by arrow 19, by a motor 20.

A substantially horizontal arm 21 carried by the barrel 17 can move vertically (arrow 22) along the barrel 17 under the action of a motor 23. The cyclonic separator 13 is carried by the arm 21.

A second substantially horizontal arm 24 is articulated at one of its ends at the end of the arm 21 and can pivot in a horizontal plane around the end of the arm 21 (arrow 25) under the action of a motor 26.

The other end of the arm 24 supports a substantially vertical mast 27 which can move vertically (arrow 28) under the action of a first motor 29, and which can rotate around its axis (arrow 30) under the action of 'a second motor 31.

The mast 27 is extended downwards by a part 27a which extends obliquely and which ends in a substantially vertical part 27b. The flexible pipe 14 is hung along the mast 27, the discharge point 15 of this pipe being adjacent to the lower end of the part 27b of the mast 27. The diameter of this flexible pipe 14 is sufficient to allow satisfactory flow of the material by gravity without risk of clogging.

The robot 16 also includes means, not shown, for coordinating the arrival of the material, the movements of the elements which compose it and the movements of the pocket on the tilting support.

In the embodiment shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, the installation according to the invention comprises a tilting support 32 capable of pivoting about an axis 33 relative to a fixed frame 34 under the action of a pivoting cylinder 35.

The tilting support 32 carries a turntable 36 capable of rotating relative to the support 32 under the action of a motor 37 by any known means symbolized by balls 38. The turntable 36 is intended to receive a pocket casting 1 fixed on the turntable 36 by means of clamps 39 actuated by a jack 40, so as to rotate the pocket 1 around its axis X, X '(arrow 41).

In the tilted position of the support 32, shown in the figure, the lowest part of the interior wall of the pocket 1 is substantially horizontal.

The material to be spread is stored in a hopper 42, which has for example a conical shape, inside which rotates a mixing screw 43 driven by a motor not shown. At the lower part of the hopper 42, the material falls into a conveyor screw 44 at the discharge end 45 from which the material is deposited on the inside wall of the bag 1.

The screw 44 is shown mounted on a jack 46 which allows it to be fitted onto the lower part of the hopper 42 and to separate it from the latter, this lower part of the hopper then being closed by a valve not shown.

The hopper 42 and the conveyor screw 44 are mounted on a carriage 47 movable along the arrow 47a in the axial direction of the screw 44 to allow the material to be spread along a generator of the interior wall of the pocket 1. The carriage 47 is itself mounted on a chassis 48 which is for example movable in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the carriage 47. The assembly forms a robot 49 equipped with means not shown to coordinate the arrival of the material with the movements from pocket 1 and those of the carriage 47. The bottom 4a of the pocket can be coated in a similar manner to that described with reference to FIG. 1, this bottom being in a horizontal position and the coating material being poured onto this bottom, for example by means a tubular chute movable over the entire surface of said bottom.

In the embodiment shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C, a continuous casting distributor 50 is mounted on a tilting frame 51 of any known type near, for example, the robot 16 with articulated arms described above in reference to figure 1.

The distributor 50 is shown in Figure 3 in the inverted position which allows to drop the wear coating used and "wolves" of metal and / or slag attached to it, for example in a waste bin not represented.

The distributor 50 is shown in Figure 4A in the normal position of use; the horizontal arms 21 and 24 are deployed and the mast 27 is oriented so as to allow the coating to be formed on the bottom 52 of the distributor 50. The flexible pipe 14 is not shown for the sake of clarity of the drawing.

The distributor 50 is shown in Figure 4B in the tilted position to the left of the figure, in which the longitudinal side wall 53 is substantially in a horizontal position: the bent portion 27a can thus penetrate inside the distributor to spread the material over the entire surface of the wall 53 and thus form the covering 55.

Similarly, in FIG. 4C, the distributor 50 is tilted to the right and the articulated arm 24 is deployed so as to allow the deposition of the material on the wall 54 and the formation of the coating 55.

Whatever the metallurgical container and the installation used for the implementation of the invention, the material constituting the coating wear 5, 55, is a substantially dry material comprising a mixture of refractory particles and a binder of the thermosetting type or equivalent, the composition and the particle size of the mixture of refractory particles being such that this mixture sintered in contact with the liquid metal.

Furthermore, this material is intended to be spread over the interior walls of a metallurgical container which are initially at a temperature sufficient to be able to heat the material deposited thereon to a temperature allowing the softening and setting of the binder of the thermosetting type. or equivalent and the formation of a monolithic coating which adheres to these interior walls of the container 1, 50.

Refractory particles can be chosen, for example, from the group comprising magnesian, silico-magnesian, silico-aluminous, aluminous, siliceous particles, calcium carbonate, lime, dolomite, carbon, chromium oxide, zircon, and mixtures thereof. These particles can be in the form of grains, powders and / or fibers.

One can choose the binder of the thermosetting type or equivalent, for example, from the group comprising natural and synthetic thermosetting resins such as for example phenol-formaldehyde resins, urea-formaldehyde resins, polyvinyl resins, etc., mineral binders of the thermosetting type or equivalent softening with heat such as for example sodium silicate (which dissolves around 70 ° C), metasilicate, etc., organic binders and / or agglutinants such as for example starch, starch, stearate , carboxymethylcellulose, etc., and mixtures of these compounds.

The refractory particles can be simply mixed with particles of the binder of the thermosetting type. In some cases, the particles refractories can be embedded in the binder, for example if very hygroscopic particles such as dolomite particles are used which tend to absorb moisture.

The widespread mixture is preferably refractory insulator, and is made up of particles whose particle size is studied so as to give the coating in place after sintering in contact with the liquid metal a total porosity greater than 45%: this insulating nature of the coating limits cooling. liquid metal in contact with the walls of the metallurgical container, which makes it possible to dispense with preheating the walls of the container before use without risk of solidification of metal in contact with them.

The widespread mixture can have a general composition of the following type:
Refractory particles in grains and / or powders: 80 to 100%
Organic and / or mineral fibers: 0 to 10%
Binder: 0 to 10%

The following compositions of mixtures of different characters can thus be given as nonlimiting examples, in which the binder appears in the section "loss on ignition":

Siliceous refractory insulating material

If:

80 to 96%

Al₂O₃:

6 to 0%

Fire loss :

0.5 to 8%

Alkaline salts:

0 to 5%

Magnesian refractory insulating material

MgO

: 68 to 83.5%

Cr₂O₃

: 8 to 0%

Chamotte

: 4 to 0%

Al₂O₃

: 2.8 to 0%

If

: 0 to 8%

Iron oxide

: 0.2 to 8%

Alkaline salts

: 5 to 0%

Fire loss

: 8 to 0.5%

Purifying refractory insulating material

If

: 0 to 6%

Al₂O₃

: 5 to 0%

CaO

: 20 to 80%

MgO

: 80 to 20%

Iron oxide

: 0.8 to 8%

B

: 0 to 4%

Fire loss

: 0.5 to 4%

• a) on place sur un support approprié un récipient métallurgique 1, 50, dont les parois intérieures à revêtir sont relativement chaudes ;
• b) on fait basculer le support et on amène le récipient métallurgique 1, 50, successivement dans plusieurs positions différentes dans chacune desquelles une paroi ou une partie de paroi intérieure du récipient est sensiblement horizontale et tournée vers le haut ;
• c) dans chacune des positions précitées, on répand sur ladite paroi ou partie de paroi intérieure, au moins une couche d'un matériau sensiblement sec comprenant un mélange de particules réfractaires et un liant du type thermodurcissable ou équivalent, la composition et la granulométrie du mélange de particules réfractaires étant telles que ce mélange fritte au contact du métal liquide, et on étale ce matériau de manière à constituer une couche sensiblement régulière ;
• d) les parois intérieures du récipient étant initialement à une température suffisante pour pouvoir chauffer le matériau déposé sur celles-ci à une température permettant la prise du liant de type thermodurcissable ou équivalent et la formation d'un revêtement monolithique 5, 55 qui adhére aux parois intérieures du récipient.

The implementation of the process of the invention using one or the other of the installations described above is extremely simple:

• a) a metallurgical container 1, 50 is placed on a suitable support, the internal walls to be coated are relatively hot;
• b) tilting the support and bringing the metallurgical container 1, 50, successively in several different positions in each of which an inner wall or part of the container wall is substantially horizontal and turned upwards;
• c) in each of the aforementioned positions, the said wall or part of the interior wall is spread over the at least one layer of a substantially dry material comprising a mixture of refractory particles and a binder of the thermosetting type or equivalent, the composition and the particle size of the mixture of refractory particles being such that this mixture sintered in contact with the liquid metal, and this material so as to constitute a substantially regular layer;
• d) the internal walls of the container being initially at a temperature sufficient to be able to heat the material deposited thereon to a temperature allowing the setting of the binder of thermosetting type or equivalent and the formation of a monolithic coating 5, 55 which adheres to inner walls of the container.

The permanent internal coating can thus be at a temperature ranging from approximately 250 ° C. to approximately 400 ° C.: it is thus possible to refill a container shortly after its use.

If a container whose walls are cold is to be refilled, one begins by reheating them to the required temperature with any known means, for example a gas burner or an infrared ramp.

Some walls may not be accessible by the means described above and are coated in any known manner, automatically or manually.

Thus, for example, in the case of an elongated metallurgical container such as a continuous casting distributor, it is not easy to bring the transverse side walls in a horizontal position in order to be able to deposit the coating material.

It is easier to set up a small partial template, temporary or sacrificed, and to deposit the coating material between this template and the interior wall to be coated. Alternatively, prepare and install a preformed covering panel made of the same material.

It is obviously possible to provide for spreading a coating composed of two or more layers of different compositions and characteristics applied successively, and to spread, for example against the permanent coating, a layer which does not sinter or sinter only slightly so as to facilitate the separation of the wear coating after use without risk of snagging on the permanent coating.

In all cases, the pouring orifice of the container is temporarily closed during the deposition of the coating.

Given the temperature of the interior walls of the container, as soon as the material is spread, the binder softens and becomes sticky, which makes it possible to stick the material to the interior walls and to form on them a monolithic coating with the material already in square. It is thus possible to quickly move the container and even to tilt it nearly 180 ° to coat a wall opposite to that already coated without the risk of dropping the coating already in place.

It is therefore possible to omit the heating step from the template of the known methods described above. The material being substantially dry, it is also unnecessary, in most cases, to carry out the necessary drying with the methods using aqueous mixtures. On the other hand, if the quality of the cast steel requires the elimination of the water of crystallization and / or harmful gases likely to be released on contact with the liquid metal, it remains necessary to heat the coating in order to eliminate this water and these gas.

Subsequently, when liquid metal is poured into the coated container as described above, it is known that the binder disappears quickly, but the cohesion of the coating in place is ensured by sintering the material in contact with the liquid metal.

It will be understood from the above that the method and the installation in accordance with the invention relate in particular to metallurgical transfer containers such as ladles, slag tanks, continuous casting distributors.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described, and many changes and modifications can be made to them without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, the means used for storing, transporting and spreading the coating material may be different from those described: it is for example possible to use, instead of the hoppers 10 alternately pressurized, a barrel type spraying machine suitable for conveying pulverulent materials which may contain fibers, and more generally any set of known means of transport and handling capable of conveying the material to be spread over the entire wall or part of the interior wall to be coated. Any device making it possible to separate the material to be spread from the compressed transport air can be used in place of the cyclonic separator 13. One can also use any combination of conveyors, conveyor screws, troughs or flexible pipes to direct the product, and mount these devices on various types of trolleys and chassis making it possible to move the product discharge orifice over the entire wall or part of the wall. interior to be coated.

One can also use a robot 16 of another type than that described, for example a robot whose base is movable in translation in the direction of the longitudinal axis of a continuous casting distributor, or a robot comprising a gantry to the place of the articulated arms described.

It is also possible to use the method and the installation in accordance with the invention to form the permanent refractory coating for protecting a metallurgical container, the composition and the particle size of the mixture of particles used being suitable for such use.

Claims (13)

1. A process for producing a lining (5, 55) on the inside walls of a metallurgical vessel (1, 50) intended to receive liquid metal, characterised in that it comprises the following steps:

   a) a metallurgical vessel (1, 50), whose inside walls for lining are brought to a given temperature, is placed on a suitable support;

   b) the support is rocked and the metallurgical vessel (1, 50) is successively brought into a number of different positions, in each of which an inside wall part or wall of the vessel (1, 50) is substantially horizontal and facing upwards;

   c) in each of the said positions there is spread over said substantially horizontal inside wall part or wall at least one layer of a substantially dry material comprising a mixture of refractory particles and a binder of the thermosetting type or the like, the composition and the particle size of the mixture of refractory particles being such that said mixture sinters on contact with the liquid metal, and said metal is spread out so as to form a substantially uniform layer;

   d) the inside walls of the vessel initially being at said given temperature, which temperature is sufficient to be able to heat the material deposited thereon to a temperature allowing softening and setting of the binder of the thermosetting type or the like and the formation of a monolithic lining (5, 55) which adheres to the inside walls of the vessel (1, 50).
2. A process according to claim 1, characterised in that there is applied to some small walls which cannot be placed in a substantially horizontal position, the same material either in the form of preformed panels or by using suitable partial templates behind which the material is spread.
3. A process according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that two or more layers of different compositions and characteristics are applied successively.
4. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the refractory particles are selected from the group comprising magnesia, silico-magnesia, silico-alumina, alumina, and silica based particles, calcium carbonate, lime, dolomite, carbon, chromium oxide, zirconium, and their mixtures.
5. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the binder of the thermosetting type or the like is selected from the group comprising natural and synthetic thermosetting resins such as, for example, phenol-formaldehyde resins, urea-formaldehyde resins, polyvinyl resins, etc., mineral binders of the thermosetting type or the like softening under heat and thus becoming adhesive, such as, for example, sodium silicate, metasilicate, etc., organic binders or agglutinants, such as, for example, starch, potato starch, stearate, carboxymethylcellulose, etc, and mixtures of these compounds.
6. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the refractory particles are mixed with particles of binder of the thermosetting type or the like.
7. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the refractory particles are coated with the binder of the thermosetting type or the like.
8. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lining obtained is a refractory insulant.
9. An installation for making a lining (5, 55) on the inside walls of a metallurgical vessel (1, 50) adapted to receive a liquid metal, by the practice of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it comprises:

   - means for preparing or receiving a substantially dry material comprising a mixture of refractory particles and a binder of the thermosetting type or the like, the composition and the particle size of the mixture of particles being such that said mixture sinters on contact with the liquid metal;

   - means acting as a support to receive a metallurgical vessel (1, 50) whose inside walls are relatively hot;

   - means for rocking the support and bringing the metallurgical vessel (1, 50) successively into a number of different positions in each of which an inside wall part or wall of the vessel is substantially horizontal and facing upwards;

   - means for spreading on said inside wall part or wall, in each of the said positions, at least one layer of said substantially dry material and spreading said material in such manner as to form a substantially uniform layer.
10. An installation according to claim 9, characterised in that the support means are adapted to assume a turned-over position in which the metallurgical vessel is turned over through 180° with respect to its normal position of use.
11. An installation according to claim 9 or 10, the metallurgical vessel being an elongate continuous casting distributor, characterised in that the distributor support is adapted to rock the distributor at least about a horizontal axis parallel to its longitudinal axis in both directions.
12. An installation according to claim 9 or 10, the metallurgical vessel being a casting ladle, characterised in that it comprises means for rocking the ladle about a horizontal axis into a position in which the lowest part of the inside side wall of the ladle is substantially horizontal, and means for turning the ladle over about its axis in that position.
13. An installation according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that it comprises a robot comprising means for spreading the lining material over the substantially horizontal inside wall part and means for co-ordinating the arrival and spreading of the material with the movements of the metallurgical vessel (1, 50).

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