The FCTechnik SAAC (Shroud Anti Aspiration Control) is a gas control station designed to deliver shielding gas — typically argon or nitrogen — to the ladle shroud gasket during continuous casting. It prevents atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen from contaminating the molten steel stream, a critical quality requirement for high-grade steel production.

Dual-Mode Control with Automatic Switching

The SAAC operates in two distinct modes, switching automatically based on real-time gasket conditions:

• Pressure Control Mode: Maintains a defined positive pressure at the gasket seal. Standard operating mode when gasket conditions are normal and flow remains within preset limits.
• Flow Control Mode: Maintains a constant preset flow rate. Engages automatically when gasket conditions become unstable or undefined, ensuring uninterrupted protection without operator intervention.

flox[on] Mass Flow Controller Technology

At the core of the SAAC is FC Technik's proprietary flox[on] thermal mass flow controller — a pressure-compensated, temperature-compensated MFC purpose-built for heavy industrial environments. It features a pressure-insensitive proportional valve (0 to 16 bar), IP54 protection, and maintenance-free operation from -10°C to +60°C. The MFC delivers ±1% full-scale accuracy with a 1:30 regulation ratio, with electrical connections reverse-polarity protected and vibration-insensitive for reliable long-term operation in steelmaking conditions.

Technical Specifications