Performance Optimization of a Six-Strand Tundish

The aims of the present study are to predict and improve inclusion separation capacity of a six strand tundish by employing flow modifiers (dams and weirs) and to assess the influence of inclusion properties (diameter and density) together with velocity of liquid steel at the inlet gate on the inclusion removal efficiency of a six-strand tundish. Computational solutions of the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Strokes (RANS) equations together with the energy equation are performed to obtain the steady, three-dimensional velocity and temperature fields using the standard k-ε model of turbulence. These flow fields are then used to predict the inclusion sepapration by numerically solving the inclusion transport equation. To account for the effects of turbulence on particle paths a discrete random walk model is employed. It was observed that with the employment of flow modifiers, the inclusion separation capacity of tundish increases without any large variation in the outlet temperatures. It is shown that inclusion properties and velocity are important parameters in defining the operating conditions of a six-strand tundish.

A Review of Heat Transfer Enhancement through Flow Disruption in a Microchannel

In this paper a comprehensive review of heat transfer enhancement through microchannels has been presented. Over the past few years due to multifunetion, shrinking package size and high power dissipation, the heat flux per unit area has increased significantly. Microchannels, with their large heat transfer surface to volume ratio and their small volumes, have shown a good thermal performance. Microchannels have been proven to be a high per- formaace cooling technique which is able to dissipate heat flux effectively from localized hot spots over small surface area. A good amount of heat transfer augmentation techniques have been reported on flow disruption through microchannel. These techniques promote free stream separation at the leading edge which results in boundary layer development and enhanced mixing leading to increased heat transfer. Flow disruption can be achieved through passive surface modifications, such as, shape of channel, dimple surfaces, ribs, cavities, groove structures, porous medium, etc. Combined effects of these geometrical configurations in heat transfer augmenta- tion are also reported in the literature. In this paper recent developments in experimental and numerical simula- tions of single-phase liquid cooled microchannel have been discussed to analyze the pressure drop, friction and heat transfer characteristics due to different flow conditions, roughness structure and passive surface modifica- tions. It has been observed that the flow disruption techniques are effective for heat transfer enhancement with lower penalties of increased pressure drop. The review concludes with suggestions for future research in this area.