Effect of SEN immersion depth on mold flow profile and slag entrapment during continuous casting of steel

Mold flux entrapment during continuous casting of steel contributes to both surface and sub-surface defects in the final product. Continuous casting operating parameters such as casting speed, SEN immersion depth, SEN port geometry, argon flow, and mold EMS significantly affect the mold flow conditions and flow profile. During continuous casting operation, SEN immersion depth is continuously varied to avoid localized erosion of SEN, and it impacts the flow dynamics in the mold. In the present work, water modeling studies were carried out for a wide range of mold widths (1200-1800 mm) and casting speeds (0.8-1.4 m/min) on a 0.5 scaled down water model to optimize casting speed for different combinations of SEN immersion depth and mold width. Results from water modeling were further validated using nail board studies in the actual plant. A safe operating matrix was identified from these experiments to avoid mold slag entrapment during continuous casting.

RANS versus Scale Resolved Approach for Modeling Turbulent Flow in Continuous Casting of Steel

Numerical modeling is the approach used most often for studying and optimizing the molten steel flow in a continuous casting mold. The selection of the physical model might very much influence such studies. Hence, it is paramount to choose a proper model. In this work, the numerical results of four turbulence models are compared to the experimental results of the water model of continuous casting of steel billets using a single SEN port in a downward vertical orientation. Experimental results were obtained with a 2D PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) system with measurements taken at various cut planes. Only hydrodynamic effects without solidification are considered. The turbulence is modeled using the RANS (Realizable k-ε, SST k-ω), hybrid RANS/Scale Resolved (SAS), and Scale Resolved approach (LES). The models are numerically solved by the finite volume method, with volume of fluid treatment at the free interface. The geometry, boundary conditions, and material properties were entirely consistent with those of the water model experimental study. Thus, the study allowed a detailed comparison and validation of the turbulence models used. The numerical predictions are compared to experimental data using contours of velocity and velocity plots. The agreement is assessed by comparing the lateral dispersion of the liquid jet in a streamwise direction for the core flow and the secondary flow behavior where recirculation zones form. The comparison of the simulations shows that while all four models capture general flow features (e.g., mean velocities in the temporal and spatial domain), only the LES model predicts finer turbulent structures and captures temporal flow fluctuations to the extent observed in the experiment, while SAS bridges the gap between RANS and LES.

Improving The Technology Of Continuous Casting Of Steel Castings

This article describes the quality and cost-effectiveness of converting steels by melting them in electric arc furnaces. In addition, the technology of continuous casting of cast products in the furnace with the help of ferroalloys, followed by various equipment.

Isothermal and Non-isothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Mold Fluxes used in Continuous Casting of Steel: A Review

Casting powders or mold fluxes, as they are more commonly known, are used in the continuous casting of steel to prevent the steel shell from sticking to the copper mold. The powders first melt and create a pool of liquid flux above the liquid steel in the mold, and then the liquid mold fluxes penetrate into the gap between water-cooled copper mold and steel shell, where crystallization of solid phases takes place as the temperatures gradually drop. It is important to understand the crystallization behavior of these mold fluxes used in the continuous casting of steel because the crystalline phase fraction in the slag films plays a crucial role in determining the horizontal heat flux during the casting process. In this work, the existing literature on the crystallization kinetics of conventional and fluoride-free mold fluxes used in the continuous casting of steel has been reviewed. The review has been divided into two main sections viz. the isothermal crystallization kinetics and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics. Under each of these sections, three of the most widely used techniques for studying the crystallization kinetics have been included viz. thermoanalytical techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry/differential thermal analysis (DSC/DTA), the single and double hot thermocouple technique (SHTT and DHTT), and the confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). For each of these techniques, the available literature related to the crystallization kinetics of mold fluxes has been summarized thereby encompassing a wide range of investigations comprising of both conventional and fluoride-free fluxes. Summaries have been included after each section with critical comments and insights by the authors. Finally, the relative merits and demerits of these methods vis-à-vis their application in studying the crystallization kinetics of mold fluxes have been discussed.

Influence of the presence of a “shelf” on the outer surface of the submerged nozzle and the electromagnetic effect within its length on the qualitative distribution of metal flows during continuous casting of steel

Continuous casting of steel has many ways to control the quality of the billets. The possibilities offered by electromagnetic stirring are far superior to physical eff ects, but combining these two quality control methods can be extremely effective. Research have shown the possibility of a qualitative effect on the flow of the liquid in the mold with implementation of electromagnetic stirring technology and the “skirt” is used in the form of a “shelf” on the nozzle, which is immersed in the mold. In addition, implementation of this shelf increase the possibilities of using direct-flow nozzles with the slope of the inner wall, where in each case it gives advantages, both with an expanding channel, and with a narrowing one. The design of the shelf also does not affect the implementation of electromagnetic stirring in the process of continuous casting, since it is below the level of the mold meniscus and above the level of the effect of the electromagnetic stirrer in the mold. The results of the research show that when using a “shelf” in the middle of the immersion nozzle depth, the casting process is accompanied by the control of most of the flows that are created when the jet enters into the mold and effect of EMS. It also affects the formation of vertex on the meniscus. And the implementation of a “shelf” at the outlet of the submersible nozzle completely changes the nature of the flow of the incoming jet.