Ladle bottom

1. A ladle block for use in a bottom of a ladle that transfers molten metal at a flow rate, Q, the ladle block comprising a floor defining an outlet having a center; at least two sidewalls substantially orthogonal to the floor and having a top edge; and an entry end, the sidewalls and floor defining a single channel having a length, L, equal to a distance from the entry end to the center of the outlet, a width, W, equal to a distance between the sidewalls and a depth, D, equal to a distance from the floor to the top edges, where K 1 , K 2 , K 3 and K 4 are non-zero constants dependent upon the units of measurement; and

a) D is at least equal to a minimum depth, D min ;

b) D min =K 1 ·Q 2/3 ;

c) W is no greater than K 2 ·D min /D and no less than K 3 ·D min /D; and

d) L is at least K 4 ·W.

2. The ladle block of claim 1 , wherein uppermost faces extend from the sidewalls.

3. The ladle block of claim 2 , wherein the uppermost faces extend from the top edges of the sidewalls.

4. The ladle block of claim 2 , wherein the uppermost faces tilt away from the channel.

5. The ladle block of claim 1 , wherein the ladle block includes an end wall and the floor, sidewalls, and end wall define the channel.

6. The ladle block of claim 5 , wherein uppermost faces extend from the sidewalls and end wall.

7. The ladle block of claim 6 , wherein the uppermost faces tilt away from the channel.

8. The ladle block of claim 1 , wherein K 1 =1.0, K 2 =1.5, K 3 =0.5, K 4 =0.5 and Q is in m 3 /s, and the dimensions of depth, width and length are in meters.

9. A ladle block for use in a bottom of a ladle that transfers molten metal at a flow rate, Q, where Q is in m 3 /s, the ladle block comprising a floor defining an outlet having a center; at least two sidewalls substantially orthogonal to the floor; an end wall substantially orthogonal to the floor; and an entry end opposite the end wall; the sidewalls and end wall including a top edge, the sidewalls, end wall and floor defining a single channel having a length, L, equal to a distance from the entry end to the center of the outlet; a width, W, equal to a distance between the sidewalls; a depth, D, equal to a distance from the floor to the top edges; K 1 =1.0, K 2 =1.5, K 3 =0.5, K 4 =0.5 when the dimensions of depth, width and length are in meters; and

a) D is at least equal to a minimum depth, D min ;

b) D min =K 1 ·Q 2/3 ;

c) W is no greater than K 2 ·D min /D and no less than K 3 ·D min /D; and

d) L is at least K 4 ·W.

10. The ladle block of claim 9 , wherein uppermost faces extend from the sidewalls and end wall, and the uppermost faces tilt away from the channel.

11. A ladle for transferring liquid metal at a flow rate, Q, comprising a bottom surface and a ladle block set into the bottom surface, the ladle block comprising a floor defining an outlet having a center; at least two sidewalls substantially orthogonal to the floor and having a top edge; and an entry end, the sidewalls and floor defining a single channel having a length, L, equal to a distance from the entry end to the center of the outlet, a width, W, equal to a distance between the sidewalls and a depth, D, equal to a distance from the floor to the top edges, where K 1 , K 2 , K 3 and K 4 are non-zero constants dependent upon the units of measurement; and

a) D is at least equal to a minimum depth, D min ;

b) D min =K 1 ·Q 2/3 ;

c) W is no greater than K 2 ·D min /D and no less than K 3 ·D min /D; and

d) L is at least K 4 ·W.

12. The ladle of claim 11 , wherein the floor of the ladle block is below the bottom surface.

13. The ladle of claim 11 , wherein the top edges of the ladle block are above the bottom surface

14. The ladle of claim 11 , wherein K 1 =1.0, K 2 =1.5, K 3 =0.5, K 4 =0.5 when the dimensions of depth, width and length are in meters.