Analysis of Corrosion Behavior of ZrO_(2)-C Slag-line Materials in Continuous Casting

In view of the service failure and low continuous casting production efficiency due to the corrosion of refractories at the slag-line in submerged entry nozzles,a submerged entry nozzle for low-carbon aluminum killed steel continuous casting in one steel plant was sampled and taken as the research object to analyze the causes and the mechanism of refractory corrosion at the slag-line.The results show that the core issue of the corrosion and necking of the slag-line materials is that the slag-line material are eroded,dissolved,and reacted by the mold flux gradually.Therefore,it is important to suppress or avoid the contact and reaction between the mold flux and slag-line materials.

Numerical simulation of A1203 deposition at a nozzle during continuous casting

The effects of various factors, such as argon flow rate and slide gate opening ratio, on the alumina deposition rate were researched by the numerical simulation method. The pressure in the nozzle is significantly affected by argon flow rate and slide gate opening ratio. To keep positive pressure in the nozzle, the argon flow rate should be increased with a decrease in slide gate opening ratio. The effect of argon flow rate on the alumina deposition rate depends on the condition of opening ratio or casting speed. The effect of increasing the argon flow rate on the deposition rate is not obvious when the opening ratio is small. The A1203 deposition rate decreases significantly with an increase in argon flow rate when the argon flow rate is low, but it decreases slowly when the argon flow rate reaches a certain value. The alumina deposition rate is linear with alumina content at different slide gate opening ratios and argon flow rates. The observed thickness of the deposition layer at the bottom and outlet of a real clogged nozzle is almost equal to the result of the numerical simulation.

Research Progress on Anti-clogging Technology of Submerged Entry Nozzles for Continuous Casting

The causes, the formation process, and the prevention of submerged entry nozzle(SEN) clogging were introduced. The influence of electric field on the SEN clogging was focused on, including the basic theory and measurement of SEN charging,the preliminary research on SEN charging, the influence of molten steel on the wetting behavior of refractory materials in electric field, and the influence of electric field on the oxide inclusions in molten steel. Based on the influence of the hydrodynamics, chemistry and other factors on refractory materials, structure, inclusion particle transfer and adhesion, many anti-clogging researches have been carried out, such as optimizing process conditions, compositing anti-clogging inner lining materials, innovating SEN structure and applying physical fields, which solve the problem of SEN clogging to a certain extent.However, the problems of weak adaptability and superficial study on clogging mechanism are still prominent. The electric field control is a new technology to prevent clogging. Although it has achieved certain results in on-site continuous casting trials,some problems such as the method of applying electric field, the electric field parameters and the equipment still need to be gradually improved, and the surface characteristics of inclusions and SEN materials at high temperatures need to be further studied. It was pointed out that the combination of materials and applied electric field will become an important direction for SEN anti-clogging technology.

Velocity Monitoring of Molten Steel in a Continuous Casting Mold Using Three Submerged Entry Nozzle Designs

The horizontal and vertical velocity components of molten steel in a slab continuous casting mold produced by three different two-port Submerged Entry Nozzle (SEN) designs are monitored and compared using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. These two ports designs correspond to a conventional cylindrical SEN, a plate SEN and an anchor-shaped SEN. Four monitoring points at the molten steel in the centered vertical plane were selected to track the horizontal and the vertical component of the velocity vector. Two of them are located near the free surface and the remaining two are located in the vicinity of the SEN discharge nozzles. Some statistical values of the time series of above the velocity components are analyzed and correlated with the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and the Karman vortex streets, which cause mold powder entrapment in the molten steel.

Anchor-Shaped Design of a Submerged Entry Nozzle for the Continuous Casting of Steel

An anchor-shaped geometrical design for a Submerged Entry Nozzle for the slab continuous casting of steel is presented in this work. To evaluate its performance, transient 3D multiphase numerical simulations were carried out using the Computational Fluid Dynamics technique. The performance of the proposed nozzle is numerically compared with that of a conventional cylindrical nozzle. Computer results show that the chance of formation of Karman’s vortexes and powder entrapment becomes small for the anchor-shaped SEN.

Characteristics of shell thickness in a slab continuous casting mold

The key to reduce shell breakout in the continuous casting process is to control shell thickness in the mold. A numerical simulation on the turbulent flow and heat transfer coupled with solidification in the slab mold using the volume of fluid （VOF） model and the enthalpy-porosity scheme was conducted and the emphasis was put upon the flow effect on the shell thickness profiles in longitudinal and transverse directions. The results show that the jet acts a stronger impingement on the shell of narrow face, which causes a zero-increase of shell thickness in a certain range near the impingement point. The thinnest shell on the slab cross-section locates primarily in the center of the narrow face, and secondly near the comer of the wide face. Nozzle optimization can obviously increase the shell thickness and make it more uniform.

Online forecasting model of tundish nozzle clogging

A nozzle clogging online forecasting model based on hydrodynamics engineering was developed, in which the actual flow rate was calculated from the mold width, thickness, and casting speed. There is a linear relationship between the theoretical flow rate and the slide gate opening ratio as the molten steel level, argon flow rate, and the top slag weight are kept constant, and the relationship can be obtained by regression of the data collected at the beginning of the first heat in each casting sequence when the nozzle clogging does not occur. Then, during the casting, the theoretical flow rate can be calculated at intervals of one second. Comparing the theoretical flow rate with the actual flow rate, the online nozzle clogging ratio can be obtained at intervals of one second. The computer model based on the conception of the nozzle clogging ratio can display the degree of the nozzle clogging intuitively.

Structure Design of SEN for High Efficiency Thin Slab Continuous Casting

Four-hole submerged entry nozzles （SEN） with dif- ferent structures were researched using the water simula- tion test by particle image velocimetry （PIV） and DJSO0 hydraulic measurement system to get suitable SEN for high efficiency continuous casting. The influences of the exit area ratio （2： 1：2, 3：2： 3, 1： 1：1 and 1：2： 1）, upper guide island angle θ （20°, 40°, 60° and 80°） , and lower guide island angle α （60°, 80°, 100° and 120°） on the vortex position in the mold and fluctuations were researched. The results show that the exit area ratio and the upper and low guide island angles have ob- vious influence on the flow field; the flow field in the mold is suitable at 1：2：1 of the exit area ratio, 80° of upper guide island angle, and 100° of lower guide island angle.

Effect of droplet characteristics on liquid-phase distribution in spray zone of internal mixing air-mist nozzle

In continuous casting production,droplet characteristics are important parameters for evaluating the nozzle atomization quality,and have a significant impact on the secondary cooling effect and the slab quality.In order to study the behavior of atomized droplets after reaching the slab surface and to optimize the spray cooling effect,the influence of droplet diameter and droplet velocity on the migration behavior of droplets in the secondary cooling zone was analyzed by FLUENT software.Results show that the droplets in the spray zone and on the slab surface are mainly concentrated in the center,thus,the liquid volume fraction in the center is higher than that of either side.As the droplet diameter increases,the region of high liquid volume fraction on the slab surface becomes wider,and the liquid phase distribution in the slab width direction becomes uneven.Although increasing the droplet velocity at the nozzle exit has little effect on droplet diffusion in the spray zone,the distribution becomes more uneven due to more liquid reaches the slab surface per unit time.A prediction formula of the maximum water flow rate on the slab surface for specific droplet characteristics was proposed based on dimensionless analysis and validated by simulated data.A nozzle spacing of 210 mm was recommended under the working conditions in this study,which ensures effective coverage of the spray water over the slab surface and enhances the distribution uniformity of water flow rate in the transverse direction.

Damage Mechanism and Countermeasures of Carbon Bonded Refractories for Continuous Casting

The long nozzle,stopper,and submerged entry nozzle play an important role in continuous casting. They are of the similar composition and are mainly damaged by liquid steel thermal shock which leads to immediate cracks or fracture in their combined area because of the thermal mechanical properties mismatch,or damaged by corrosion on their interface. The failure mechanisms are the thermal shock damage and continuous reaction corrosion. High efficiency and long life of the long nozzle,stopper,and submerged entry nozzle can be realized by optimizing the thermal mechanical properties,the key erosion step,and the combination match.

Influence of submerged entry nozzle clogging on the behavior of molten steel in continuously cast slab molds

The influence of submerged entry nozzle clogging on the behavior of molten steel in continuously cast slab molds was studied using commercial code CFX4.3. The results indicate that clogging at the top part of the nozzle port not only increases the velocity of molten steel, but also enhances the wall shear stress, F number and heat flux. This clogging has the greatest effect on the behavior of molten steel. However, clogging at the top 1/3 of the nozzle only increases the velocity of molten steel and has little influence. Clogging at the bottom of the nozzle almost has no influence.

INFLUENCES OF CASTING SPEED AND SEN DEPTH ON FLUID FLOW IN THE FUNNEL TYPE MOLD OF A THIN SLAB CASTER

In recent years, thin slab continuous casting technology has been widely used to improve the quality of the product and to reduce the cost. One of the challenges faced by this technology is to design reasonable flow patterns, which strongly affect the surface and inner properties of the final slab in the mold. With the fixed scales and complex geometrical structures of nozzle and funnel type mold, a series of numerical simulations are made to analyze the flow patterns in melt steel using finite volume method based on structured body fitted coordinate grids. The CFD （computational fluid dynamics） package is validated first using one typical case described in previously published studies, and then it is developed to study the effect of operational parameters on fluid flow in thin slab caster. Two operational parameters, casting speed and SEN （submerged entry nozzle） depth, are mainly considered for numerical analysis. On the basis of present simulations, the reasonable SEN submergence depths corresponding to different casting speeds are suggested according to fluid flow characteristics like, flow jet impingement on the narrow side of the mold, flow speed of the melt steel beneath the meniscus and the recirculation region. This is the first stage of study on the numerical analysis of the whole thin slab casting process with electromagnetic brake.

Design of a submerged entry nozzle for optimizing continuous casting of stainless steel slab

To solve slag entrapment and casting slab defects in the process of stainless steel continuous casting,submerged entry nozzle(SEN)for slab casters operating at casting speed of 1 m/min was developed based on 3D numerical simulation and water modeling experiments by controlling the outlet shape and angle of original SEN with oval and 15°angle outlet under current industrial use.Mathematical simulations of fluid velocity at outlets with different shapes and angles of SENs have been carried out.The results showed that oval outlet with 5°and 15°angle led to asymmetric rotating flow pattern at outlet,as well as square outlet with 15°angle,but symmetric flow pattern formed at square outlet with 5°angle.The effect of these SENs on meniscus stability,flow field and slag entrapment behavior of stainless steel slab casting mold was further studied by water modeling experiments.The results showed that difficult floating fine droplets formed when the angle of outlet was 15°under the dual effect of vortex convection and shear force due to the strong swirling flow from outlet and rotating flow of outlet.However,outlet with 5°angle could lead to the formation of larger slag droplets,while the oval outlet with 5°angle could result in the scour to the mold wall.Thus,the square outlet with 5°angle was a relatively ideal solution for the submerged entry nozzle from the aspects of the stability of the mold and the slag entrapment behavior.After the design of a new SEN according to the experimental result,the solidification structure of continuous casting slab was obviously improved by industrial test.

流程生产风险防控的功能安全完整性

为提升流程生产安全管理水平,降低事故发生概率,提出了生产过程中风险防控的功能安全完整性分析方法,并结合钢铁连铸场景进行验证。首先评估流程生产中主要事故类型的危险程度和确定其可接受频率标准;运用保护层分析法计算作业现场高危险性事故发生的真实概率,通过与可接受频率比较,判断是否需要新增防护措施;运用蒙特卡洛-马尔可夫模型验证新增防护措施的功能安全完整性等级。以大冶特钢炼钢转炉厂连铸作业区为例,结果表明:研究区内存在熔融物爆炸、火灾和中毒窒息3类高危险性事故隐患,且熔融物爆炸事故的人员伤亡后果为不可接受,需新增功能安全完整性等级为2级的防护措施;设计了防爆炸保护系统,其失效概率为4.37×10-3,满足功能安全完整性等级要求。

铝脱氧钢中Al_(2)O_(3)夹杂物与Al_(2)O_(3)-C质水口耐材的粘附机理研究

铝脱氧钢连铸过程中的水口堵塞一直是困扰生产的难题,弄清水口堵塞的形成机理对解决该问题非常重要。研究首先在实验室制备了含有单一、量多的Al_(2)O_(3)夹杂物的钢液,然后与Al_(2)O_(3)-C质耐材棒反应不同时间,研究了钢中Al_(2)O_(3)夹杂物与耐材棒的粘附行为,在此基础上探讨了铝脱氧钢连铸过程水口堵塞的形成机理。研究发现,耐材棒与钢液反应一段时间后,在耐材棒表面由内向外逐渐形成两层Al_(2)O_(3),第1层致密平滑,厚度较薄;第2层松散粗糙,厚度较厚。水口堵塞的形成机理为,耐材插入钢液一段时间内,因温度升高,耐材表面区域的SiO_(2)、Al_(2)O_(3)与C反应生成的SiO、Al_(2)O气体向钢液扩散,在耐材表面分别与钢液中的[Al]、耐材中的SiO_(2)反应生成Al_(2)O_(3);耐材棒表面的SiO_(2)也会与钢液中的[Al]反应生成Al_(2)O_(3);三者共同作用形成第1层致密的Al_(2)O_(3)。第1层Al_(2)O_(3)层形成后,钢液中的Al_(2)O_(3)夹杂物易于在其上面附着,形成第2层松散的Al_(2)O_(3)。随着时间的延长,Al_(2)O_(3)层变厚,水口堵塞逐渐形成。第1层Al_(2)O_(3)形成机理以化学反应为主,增长缓慢;第2层以钢中夹杂物粘附为主,增长较快。

浸入式水口结瘤机制及优化措施

在钢铁实际生产过程中,浸入式水口结瘤会对结晶器流场的稳定性产生严重影响。这种现象不仅影响了连铸过程的顺利进行,还可能导致结瘤物剥落,从而降低铸坯质量。阐述了浸入式水口结瘤机制的研究现状,从优化水口结构、优化水口材质、提高钢液洁净度以及施加外部电场共4个方面总结了防止浸入式水口结瘤的措施,并对浸入式水口防结瘤未来的研究方向进行了展望。

板坯连铸机自动加渣机器人的研制

研究了一种板坯连铸机自动加渣机器人系统,首先介绍了自动加渣机器人的系统组成和工作原理,其次通过建立加渣关键点,规划了适应于不同结晶器断面尺寸的机器人加渣轨迹,并对轨迹进行了优化控制,最后将轨迹导入到Matlab软件中进行了验证。结果表明,根据设置不同的断面尺寸,机器人的加渣轨迹可实时调整,无需人工干预。通过宝钢湛江工程现场实际应用表明,相比于其他类型的加渣装置,研究的自动加渣机器人结构合理,加渣均匀,有利于提高连铸生产稳定性,降低工人劳动强度。

Characteristics of SEN clogging and adhesive behavior of oxide inclusion during continuous casting of Ti-stabilized ultra-pure ferritic stainless steels

Submerged entry nozzle(SEN)clogging during continuous casting of Ti-stabilized ultra-pure ferritic stainless(Ti-UPFS)steels was systematically investigated via cross-sectional analysis and acid dissolution treatment.The SEN deposit profile was characterized as occurring in three major layers:(1)an eroded refractory layer;(2)an initial adhesive layer comprised an Al_(2)O_(3)-ZrO_(2) composite sub-layer and a dense Al_(2)O_(3)-based deposit sub-layer;and(3)a porous multiphase deposit layer mainly consisting of MgO·Al_(2)O_(3),CaO-Al_(2)O_(3),and CaO-TiOx.The MgO·Al_(2)O_(3)-rich inclusions did not adhere directly to the eroded refractory but were entrapped during the deposit growth.Results of inclusion characterization in the tundish revealed that the MgO·Al2O3-rich particles present in the tundish served as the primary source of clogging deposits.Furthermore,a novel cavity-induced adhesion model by circular approximation was established to explain the effects of complex inclusion characteristics and refractory material type on adhesion force.A high number of small MgO·Al_(2)O_(3) inclusions were expected to accelerate the buildup of clogging deposits.Improving the modification of MgO·Al_(2)O_(3)-rich inclusions in the size range of 2-4μm by Ca treatment was crucial to minimizing the risk of SEN clogging during the continuous casting of Ti-UPFS steels.

1000~2200 mm宽板坯连铸机结晶器流场优化与应用

为改善某厂超低碳钢连铸过程中出现偏流、跳棒及水口堵现象,通过对中间包透气上水口、塞棒和浸入式水口等连铸功能耐材进行改进,将透气上水口改用特殊的弥散式透气材质,吹入的氩气气泡沿水口内壁形成均匀的气幕,表面气孔率较改进前提高5.2%,防止了夹杂物在水口内壁蓄积,缓解水口堵;将塞棒棒头由中心部位的吹氩孔由1个改为6个,实现360°均匀吹入氩气,减少棒头夹杂物蓄积;将浸入式水口改用无碳,低铝,高硅内衬,改变水口内壁材质,防止浸入式水口堵塞。改进后耐材在超低碳钢上推广应用,使得每浇次跳棒次数减少0.83次、降幅31.8%,水口堵造成的在线更换浸入水口频次减少了0.38支、降幅41.3%,稳定结晶器液面控制精度,提升冷轧卷夹杂合格率0.238%,并提高了单中间包连浇炉数0.53炉、增幅8%,使1000~2200 mm宽板坯连铸机结晶器流场得以优化。

高强焊丝钢N2M2T连铸坯表面缺陷分析及工艺改进

针对某钢厂在冶炼N2M2T高强焊丝钢时,连铸坯表面出现的凹陷、角部深振痕裂纹及渣坑等表面缺陷,结合理论分析及现场实际生产情况,从保护渣理化性能、结晶器振动参数、一冷配水及钢中N含量等对铸坯表面产生的缺陷进行分析。结果表明,连铸坯产生的表面缺陷主要与保护渣理化指标、结晶器振动参数、钢中N含量有关,而与一冷配水关系不大。生产实践表明,通过将保护渣碱度从0.6提高到1.19,w[C]从13.51%降低到8.21%,粘度从0.666 Pa.s降低到0.156 Pa.s,结晶器振动参数偏斜率由0.15提高至0.20,振频公式由60+50 V调整为90+60V,钢中N含量控制在<50×10^(-6),连铸工序△N<7×10^(-6)等措施,N2M2T高强焊丝钢连铸坯的表面缺陷得到明显改善,铸坯合格率从85%提高到95%以上,为后续轧钢的稳定轧制提供了保证。