Fluid Flow and Solidification Simulation in Beam Blank Continuous Casting Process With 3D Coupled Model

Based on turbulent theory, a 3D coupled model of fluid flow and solidification was built using finite difference method and used to study the influence of superheating degree and casting speed on fluid flow and solidification, analyze the interaction between shell and molten steel, and compare the temperature distribution under different technological conditions. The results indicate that high superheating degree can lengthen the liquid-core depth and make the crack and breakout possible, so suitable superheating should be controlled within 35℃ according to the simulation results. Casting speed which is one of the most important technological parameters of improving production rate, should be controlled between 0. 85 m/min and 1.05 m/min and the caster has great potential in the improvement of blank quality.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE THERMO-MECHANICAL PROCESS FOR BEAM BLANK CONTINUOUS CASTING

The aim of this study was to simulate the solidification process of beam blank continuous casting, and then find the reasons for the typical defects of the beam blank. A two-dimensional transient coupled finite element model has been developed to compute the temperature and stress profile in beam blank continuous casting. The enthalpy method was used in the heat conduction equation. The thermo-mechanical property in the mushy zone was taken into consideration in this calculation. It is shown that at the mold exit the thickness of the shell had its maximum value at the flange tip and its minimum value at the fillet. The temperature had a great fluctuation on the surface of the beam blank in the secondary cooling zone. At the unbending point, the surface temperature of the web was in the brittleness temperature range under the present condition. To ensure the quality, it is necessary to weaken the intensity of secondary cooling. At the mold exit the equivalent stress and strain have higher values at the flange tip and at the web. From the spray 1 to the unbending point, the maximum values of stress and strain gradually moved to the internal section of the flange tip and the web. However, whenever, there were bigger stress and strain values near the flange tip and the web than in the other parts, it must be very easy to generate cracks at those positions. Now, online verification of this simulation has been developed, which has proved to be very useful and efficient to instruct the practical production of beam blank continuous casting.

EFFECT OF SUBMERGED ENTRY NOZZLE (SEN) PARAMETERS AND SHAPE ON 3-D FLUID FLOW IN MOULD FOR BEAM BLANK CONTINUOUS CASTING

According to turbulent theory and characteristics of beam blank continuous casting, 3-D model to represent the flow of beam blank mould is established. The predicted results indicate that the exit obliquity of up 15°(+15°) should be adopted, which will benefit the floatation of non-metallic inclusion and purification of the molten steel. When the nozzle angle is 120°, the flow pattern is reasonable. Proper nozzle depth can be 200mm. Turbulent kinetic of meniscus can be reduced by adopting the square nozzle and suitable area of side outlet when casting speed increases. The results are consistent with those of water model experiment, so the model is exact and reasonable. The model can provide important information for design of SEN and defining of immersion depth.

Analysis of Thermal Behavior for Beam Blank Continuous Casting Mold

Finite element models of steady heat conduction for cross section of beam blank mold were developed by using ABAQUS software. The effect of mold grinding thickness, cooling water velocity, diameter of restrietor rods and water channel design on hot face temperature was analyzed in detail. Attention was focused on the peak temperature and temperature uniformity along hot face. The results showed that the peak temperature of existing mold, about 337.2 ℃, is located in the fillet, and two valleys of hot face temperature are found in flange corner and junction of wide face and narrow face, respectively. Decreasing mold thickness, increasing cooling water velocity and increasing diameter of restrictor rods can all reduce peak temperature and improve temperature uniformity along hot race at the expense of lower overall temperature. Redesigning the water channel can decrease peak temperature and thermal gradient of mold without lowering overall temperature of hot face. In particular, the small hole design can improve temperature uniformity across hot face and obtain the best advantage.