Numerical simulation on the multiphase flow and reoxidation of the molten steel in a two-strand tundish during ladle change

A 3D mathematical model was proposed to investigate the molten steel–slag–air multiphase flow in a two-strand slab continuous casting(CC)tundish during ladle change.The study focused on the exposure of the molten steel and the subsequent reoxidation occurrence.The exposure of the molten steel was calculated using the coupled realizable k–εmodel and volume of fluid(VOF)model.The diffusion of dissolved oxygen was determined by solving the user-defined scalar(UDS)equation.Moreover,the user-defined function(UDF)was used to describe the source term in the UDS equation and determine the oxidation rate and oxidation position.The effect of the refilling speed on the molten steel exposure and dissolved oxygen content was also discussed.Increasing the refilling speed during ladle change reduced the refilling time and the exposure duration of the molten steel.However,the elevated refilling speed enlarged the slag eyes and increased the average dissolved oxygen content within the tundish,thereby exacerbating the reoxidation phenomenon.In addition,the time required for the molten steel with a high dissolved oxygen content to exit the tundish varied with the refilling speed.When the inlet speed was 3.0 m·s^(-1)during ladle change,the molten steel with a high dissolved oxygen content exited the outlet in a short period,reaching a maximum dissolved oxygen content of 0.000525wt%.Conversely,when the inlet speed was 1.8 m·s^(-1),the maximum dissolved oxygen content was 0.000382wt%.The refilling speed during the ladle change process must be appropriately decreased to minimize reoxidation effects and enhance the steel product quality.

TUNDISH METALLURGY AND ITS DEVELOPMENT

The research on tundish metallurgy has focused mainly on taking countermeasures to avoid and remove inclusions and the recent developments on tundish metallurgy were surveyed.The authers'advices for future development of tundish metallurgy were given in summary section.

Optimization of flow control devices in a single-strand slab continuous casting tundish

The optimization of flow control devices in a single-slab continuous casting tundish was carried out by physical modeling, and the optimized scheme was presented. With the optimal tundish configuration, the minimum residence time of liquid steel was increased by 1.4 times, the peak concentration time was increased by 97%, and the dead volume fraction was decreased by 72%. A mathematical model for molten steel in the tundish was established by using the fluid dynamics package Fluent. The velocity field, concentration field, and the resi-dence time distribution （RTD） curves of molten steel flow before and after optimization were obtained. Experimental results showed that the reasonable configuration with flow control devices can improve the fluid flow characteristics in the tundish. The results of industrial applica-tion show that the nonmetallic inclusion area ratio in casting slabs is decreased by 32% with the optimal tundish configuration.

Water Modeling of Optimizing Tundish Flow Field

In the water modeling experiments, three cases were considered, i. e, , a bare tundish, a tundish equipped with a turbulence inhibitor, and a rectangular tundish equipped with weirs （dams） and a turbulence inhibitor. Comparing the RTD curves, inclusion separation, and the result of the streamline experiment, it can be found that the tundish equipped with weirs （dams） and a turbulence inhibitor has a great effect on the flow field and the inclusion separation when compared with the sole use or no use of the turbulent inhibitor or weirs （dams）. In addition, the enlargement of the distance between the weir and dam will result in a better effect when the tundish equipped with weirs （dam） and a turbulence inhibitor was used.

Improvement of tundish shape and optimization of flow control devices for sequence casting heavy steel ingots

The metallurgical effect of a round tundish used to cast heavy steel ingots in machine works at present was evaluated through water modeling experiments. The flow control devices of the improved oval tundish, which was used instead of the round tundish, had been optimized. The results show that the residence time of the round tundish is short, its inclusion removal efficiency is too low, and it has more dead zones and an unreasonable flow field. Compared with the round tundish, the improved oval tundish with the optimized weir and dam has a better effect： its minimum residence time is prolonged by 38.1 s, the average residence time is prolonged by 233.4 s, its dead volume fraction decreases from 26% to 15%, and the ratio of plug volume fraction to dead volume fraction increases from 0.54 to 1.27. The inclusion removal efficiency also increases by 17.5%.

Orthogonal analysis of water model study on the optimization of flow control devices in a six-strand tundish

Improper flow control devices in a multi-strand tundish can cause some problems, for example, liquid steel cannot reach every nozzle at the same time and the liquid steel in nozzles far away from the entry zone has a lower temperature. The water model experiment of a six-strand tundish of Tianjin Iron ＆ Steel Co. Ltd. was performed, a new ＂U＂ type baffle was obtained, and its parameters were defined by perpendicular analysis. The ＂U＂ baffle can not only improve those imperfections, but also prolong the residence time of nonmetallic inclusions, which is good for their flotation and separation.

Water modeling of molten steel flow in a multi-strand tundish with gas blowing

Fluid flow characteristics in a four-strand tundish with gas blowing were studied by water modeling experiments.It is found that gas blowing can greatly improve the flow characteristics in the tundish with a turbulence inhibitor.It dramatically increases the peak concentration time,and greatly decreases the dead volume,and reduces the minimum residence time.The gas blowing location,gas flow rate,and porous plug area greatly influence the flow characteristics in the tundish; the gas blowing location near the baffle,smaller gas flow rate,and smaller porous plug area are better for improving the fluid flow characteristics.Using gas blowing can reduce the difference of flows at the middle outlets and side outlets for the multi-strand tundish.Bubbles produced by gas blowing can absorb small inclusions and provide the condition for inclusion collision and aggregation.Therefore,introducing gas blowing into a tundish and combining the turbulence inhibitor can improve inclusion floating and removal,and the cleanness of molten steel can be advanced.

Optimization of flow control devices for a T-type five-strand billet caster tundish: water modeling and numerical simulation

The optimization of flow control devices(FCDs) for a T-type five-strand billet caster tundish was carried out by water modeling and numerical simulation. In water modeling experiments, flow characteristics of the bare tundish and tundish conf igurations with designed U-type baff les and a round turbulence inhibitor were analyzed using residence time distribution(RTD) curves. Mathematical models for liquid steel in the real plant tundish were established using the fluid dynamics software package Fluent. The flow field, the temperature field, and the RTD curves of liquid steel in the proposed tundish conf igurations were obtained. The results of numerical simulation and water modeling were validated with each other by the predicted and experimental RTD curves. The results of flow field and temperature field were used to ref lect the actual state of a real plant tundish and to choose the optimal FCD. Finaly, from the whole performance of the multi-strand tundish, the optimal scheme was determined by combining the results of water modeling and numerical simulation. With the optimal tundish equipped with U-type baffle with def lector holes and round turbulence inhibitor, not only was the flow characteristic of each strand improved, but also the difference of flow characteristics between multiple strands was smaller.

Effect of Thermal Buoyancy on Fluid Flow and Inclusion Motion in Tundish without Flow Control Devices——Part Ⅰ: Fluid Flow

The κ-ε two-equation model is used to simulate the fluid flow in the continuous casting tundish coupling with the effect of thermal buoyancy. The natural convection induced by the thermal buoyancy generates an upward flow pattern especially at the outlet zone, and has little effect on the fluid flow in the inlet zone. The maximum viscosity is 700 times larger than the laminar viscosity, which indicates the strong turbulent flow in the tundish. The maximum temperature difference in the whole tundish is 82 K. The temperature near the stopper rod and the short wall is obviously lower than that in the inlet zone. The existence of the stopper rod has a big effect on the fluid flow entering the SEN and the mold. All the characteristics of the tundish geometry should be considered to accurately simulate the fluid flow in the tundish.

Fluid Flow in Tundish Due to Different Type Arrangement of Weir and Dam

Tundish is an important metallurgical reactor in the continuous castingprocess. In order to control the fluid flow in tundish and thus take full advantage of the residencetime available for the removal of inclusions from molten steel, the effect of weir and dam on thefluid flow has been studied in a water model based on the characteristic number Froude and Reynoldnumber similarity criteria. The residence time distribution curves of the flow were measured bySG800. The optimum arrangement of darn and weir and the nonstationary flow in tundish werediscussed. The results show that the combination of weir and dam is benefit for the flow pattern intundish, weir can prevent the upper recirculating flow, dam can cut off the bottom flow and turn toupwards, it is advantageous to separate the nonmetallic inclusions. Furthermore, it is important toexceed the critical depth of bath during exchange ladles, not only for the inclusion floatation butalso for avoiding tundish slag drainage earlier.

Mathematical model of flow characteristic in multi-strand continuous casting tundishes

In this paper, the subject of mathematical model is a series of math expressions, which is used to calculate different regions＇ volume fraction and analyze flow characterization in multi-strand tundish. But research about mathematical model for multi-strand tundish is few, and so far, there has been no acknowledged math model for multi- strand tundish to describe its flow characteristic. If Sahai＇s model, which is originally proposed for the case of single-strand tundish （proposed in reference, and this model is widely used in the world）, is applied to describe flow feature in multi-strand tundish, the calculation results would be unreasonable. Based on the data of watermodel experiment results, the sum of each strand＇s dead region＇s volume fraction is bigger than 100%, and this obviously doesn＇T agree with reality; and the value of dead region＇s volume fraction is calculated to be minus according to mathematical simulation results data in another case. What＇s more, Sahai＇s model does not propose the standard of plotting the RTD-curve, and this makes scholars around the world can＇t achieve consensus of views about plotting RTD-curve. And the model doesn＇t consider the bypass flow and can＇t calculate its volume fraction, but bypass flow is critical to tundish metallurgy. And through Sahai＇s model, the calculation result of plug flow region＇s volume fraction is also not reasonable, because the model doesn＇t well describe the essence of plug flow. So these suggest that it is not reliable to apply Sahai＇s single-strand tundish model to multi-strand tundish case. Then a new model is attempted to propose in this paper for your discussion. In the new model, the standard of plotting RTD curve is definitely proposed, and relative calculation method is also proposed; and the feature of dead region is carefully studied and the model proposes a new method to calculate its volume fraction, and the calculation formula about its volume fraction can be adjustable according the actual demand; what＇s more, the new model considers the bypass flow and proposes a method to calculate its volume fraction for the first time, and then volume fraction of plug flow region, backmix flow region, dead region and bypass flow can be calculated and obtained at the same time; and this new model can better capture the deviation of reality flow pattern from ideal plug flow pattern, and reflects the feature of plug flow.

Fluid flow in large-capacity horizontal continuous casting tundishes

The configuration of the tundish for a two-strand horizontal continuous caster was designed and optimized through water modeling. Three designs of the tundish were studied： the original tundish without any flow control devices, the tundish with a turbulence inhibitor at the bottom, and the tundish with an inlet launder and an inclined dam. The residence time, the location and size of the dead zone, and the fluid field pattern were investigated. At the same time, the asymmetry flow field and wavy inlet jet in the horizontal tundish were observed and the reasons for them were discussed. The results indicate that the mndish with an inlet launder and an inclined dam is the best of the three designs.

Mathematical modeling of fluid flow, heat transfer and inclusion transport in a four strand tundish

Mathematical simulation was used for trouble-shooting and optimization. By the mathematical simulation, fluid flow and beat transfer of molten-steel in a four-strand tundish of a billet caster under different conditions （bare tundish and tundish with flow control device） were analyzed, The results showed that （1） the tundish with flow control device （FCD） has an important effect on the fluid pattern and temperature distribution; （2） the unsteady, solving method was used to model the inclusion motions at different time perthds, and it showed that the FCD is advantageous to separate the nonmetallic inclusions. According to the simulation results, the main problem existing in the industry preduction was found, and some helpful rneasurements were executed. Consequently, the large nonmetallic inclusions were separated, and the content of total oxygen was reduced. The qualily of steel was greatly improved.

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.

Validation of the numerical simulation of fluid flow in the continuous casting tundish

The 3-dimensional fluid flow in a water model of the continuous casting tundish is simulated with the k-ε two-equation turbulence model. The methods to decide the size of wall-adjacent grids and the effects of residuals and mesh size on the simulation accuracy are discussed. The current investigation concludes that the following condition should be satisfied to get accurate enough simulation results: (1) If the dimension of the domain is in the order of cubic meters, the average size of cells in the mesh system should be at least smaller than 30 mm; (2) The normalized non-scaled residual should be reached at least smaller than 10-4.

Production of porous silica by the combustion of rice husk ash for tundish lining

In order to study the production of porous silica compacts by the combustion of rice husk ash （RHA） for tundish lining, the experimental design technique was used to evaluate the effect of firing temperature, soaking time and compaction pressure on controlling both the porosity degree and compressive strength of rice husk ash compacts. The results revealed that while the porosity degree of the compacts decreased with the increase in the entire studied parameters, the compressive strength exhibited another trend especially at a lower soaking time. At a lower soaking time, the increase in firing temperature led to a slight decrease in compressive strength and then increasing thereafter. The porous silica compacts having 30% porosity and 〉 2.5 MPa compressive strength suitable for tundish lining could be obtained from the combustion of rice husk ash compacts.

Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics to analysis of metallurgical process for continuous casting tundishes

A series of simulations by mathematical and physical modeling on fluid flow,mass and heat transfer in continuous casting tundishes have been carried out. It was found bycomputational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation that in most cases tundish flow must be treated as anon-isothermal reactor due to the existence of temperature difference between the transport ladleand the tundish. The critical conditions when the non-isothermal flow in the tundish can not beneglected have been found by CFD simulation and water modeling. A direct measurement in a 40 ttundish has confirmed the simulation results.

Modeling study on fluid flow and inclusion motion in 6-strand bloom caster tundishes

The behavior of fluid flow and particle motion in a 6-strand bloom castertundish was investigated by a water model and numerical simulation. Compared with a device withoutflow control, the tundish with flow control has an important effect on the fluid flow pattern andinclusion removal. It is revealed that by non-isothermal process, which is real productioncondition, the fluid flow in tundish shows a strong buoyancy pattern, which drives particles to moveupwards. The particle removal was quantitatively studied by mathematical and physical simulations.

Optimization of flow control devices in a tenstrand billet caster tundish

The physical model of a ten-strand billet caster tundish was established to study the effects of various flow control devices on the melt flow. Before and after the optimization of the melt flow, the inclusion removal in the tundish was evaluated by plant trials. The physical modeling results show that when combined with a baffle, the turbulence inhibitor, instead of the impact pad, can significantly improve the melt flow. A turbulence inhibitor with a longer length of inner cavity and without an extending lip at the top of the sidewall seems to be efficient in the improvement of the melt flow. Various types and designs of baffles all influence the flow characteristics significantly. The "V" type baffles are better than the straight baffles for flow control. The "V" type baffle with four inclined holes at the sidewall away from the stopper rods is better in melt flow control than the one with one inclined hole at each sidewall. The combination of a well-designed turbulence inhibitor and an appropriate baffle shows high efficiency on improving the melt flow and an optimal proposal was presented. Plant trials indicate that, compared with the original tundish configuration in prototype, the inclusions reduce by 42% and the inclusion distribution of individual strands is more similar with the optimal one. The optimal tundish configuration effectively improves the melt flow in the ten-strand billet caster tundish.

Uniformity evaluation and optimization of fluid flow characteristics in a seven-strand tundish

The effect of flow control devices（FCDs） on the uniformity of flow characteristics in a seven-strand symmetrical trapezoidal tundish was studied using both an experimental 1：2.5 hydraulic model and a numerical simulation of a 1：1 geometric model.The variation coefficient（CV） was defined to evaluate the flow uniformity of the seven-strand tundish.An optimized FCD configuration was proposed on the basis of the evaluation of experimental results.It is concluded that a turbulence inhibitor（TI） and U-type dam are essential to improve the uniformity of fluid flow in the seven-strand tundish.In addition,the configuration of inclination T-type dams with a height of 200 mm between the second and third strands and with a height of 300 mm between the third and fourth strands can minimize the proportion of dead zone.After optimizing the configuration of FCDs,the variation coefficient reduces below 20%of the mean value,and the average proportion of dead zone is just 14.6%;in addition,the temperature fluctuation between the strands could be controlled within 0.6 K.In summary,the uniformity of flow and temperature in the seven-strand tundish is greatly improved.