Comparison of Fluid Flow and Temperature Distribution in a Single-Strand Tundish with Different Flow Control Devices

The effects of flow control devices (FCD) in a single-strand tundish, including weir, dam, turbulence inhibitor and gas curtain, have been investigated using water model experiments and CFD simulations. A scaled-down water model was built up to visualize flow pattern and measure the residence-time distribution (RTD) of different tundish configurations. A CFD model was applied to calculate the fluid flow, heat transfer and RTD curves in the prototype tundish under the nonisothermal conditions. The Eulerian–Lagrangian approach was applied to investigate the bubble flow in the system. The results show that each FCD has its own unique function to control the flow. It is important to evaluate the combined effects of FCD based on their installations. The molten steel flow in the tundish could be improved if these flow control devices were arranged properly.

Effect of Turbulence Inhibitors on Molten Steel Flow in 66-Ton T-Type Tundish with Large Impact Area

A multiphase numerical simulation of the steel-slag flow was established by using the volume of fluid (VOF) model to study the effect of different turbulence inhibitors on the improvement of the steel-slag flow in the tundish. The steel-slag interface fluctuation was studied by vorticity magnitude and transient fluctuation change. A prediction model of residence time distribution (RTD) curve was established based on mathematical simulation and the error of prediction model can be controlled below 6% by comparing with the hydraulic results. The results show that jet flow into the tundish generated very different flow patterns. Case 1 produced a double-roll flow pattern and case 2 produced a four-roll flow pattern in the impact area. The ratio of vorticity magnitude above 1.00 s−1 near the ladle shroud was 2.60% in case 1 and the ratio of vorticity magnitude above 1.00 s−1 near the ladle shroud was 13.15% in case 2, which indicates case 2 increased the possibility of slag entrainment via the upward flow mechanism and shear layer instability. Surface velocity fluctuations in case 2 were much more severe near the ladle shroud. The thickness of the slag layer was 60 mm, the interface fluctuation towards surface in case 2 was close to 20 mm. Meanwhile, case 1 involved very small volume-fraction contours near interface. The turbulence inhibitor with internal ripples (case 1) showed a better optimization effect and the results could provide a theoretical basis for the selection of a suitable turbulence inhibitor for the 66-ton T-type tundish.

Investigation on the control of multiphase flow behavior in a continuous casting tundish during ladle change

The transient multiphase flow behavior in a single-strand tundish during ladle change was studied using physical modeling. The water and silicon oil were employed to simulate the liquid steel and slag. The effect of the turbulence inhibitor on the slag entrainment and the steel exposure during ladle change were evaluated and discussed. The effect of the slag carry-over on the water-oil-air flow was also analyzed. For the original tundish, the top oil phase in the impact zone was continuously dragged into the tundish bath and opened during ladle change, forming an emulsification phenomenon. By decreasing the liquid velocities in the upper part of the impact zone, the turbulence inhibitor decreased considerably the amount of entrained slag and the steel exposure during ladle change, thereby eliminating the emulsification phenomenon. Furthermore, the use of the TI-2 effectively lowered the effect of the slag carry-over on the steel cleanliness by controlling the movement of slag droplets. The results from industrial trials indicated that the application of the TI-2 reduced considerably the number of linear inclusions caused by ladle change in hot-rolled strip coils.

Quasi-Symmetric Transfer Behavior in an Asymmetric Two-Strand Tundish with Different Turbulence Inhibitor

The task of the tundish is to supply and distribute the molten steel with the similar temperature and the similar inclusion mass concentration to the continuous casting mold. But it is difficult for the asymmetric tundish to accomplish this task. Thus, the scheme about the asymmetric turbulence inhibitor and the baffle wall with guided holes is proposed to optimize the tundish. In order to have a deep insight into the metallurgical behavior in the asymmetric tundish, numerical simulation is applied to describe the fluid flow, the heat transfer, RTD (residence time distribution) curve, and inclusion collision aggregation behavior. Numerical results show that the predicted temperature and inclusion concentration agree with the industrial experimental data. In the asymmetric two-strand tundish, the asymmetric turbulence inhibitor and the baffle wall with guided holes can extend the mean residence time at the left outlet, reduce the temperature difference between the two outlets, and prompt the inclusion removal rate at the left outlet.

The Model Analysis of Inclusion Moving in the Swirl Flow Zone Sourcing from the Inner-Swirl-Type Turbulence Controller in Tundish

In order to improve the inclusion removal property of the tundish, the mathematic model for simulation of the flow field sourced from inner-swirl-type turbulence controller (ISTTC) was developed, in which there were six blades arranged with an eccentric angle (θ) counterclockwise. Based on the mathematical and water model, the effect of inclusion removal in the swirling flow field formed by ISTTC was analyzed. It was found that ISTTC had got the better effect of inhibiting turbulence in tundish than traditional turbulence inhibitor (TI). As the blades eccentric angle (θ) of ISTTC increasing, the intensity of swirling flow above it increased. The maximum rotate speed of fluid in swirling flow band driven by ISTTC (θ=45°) was equal to 25 rmp. Based on the force analysis of inclusion in swirling flow sourced from ISTTC, the removal effect of medium size inclusion by ISTTC was attributed to the centripetal force (Fct) of swirling flow, but removal effect of ISTTC to small size inclusion was more depend on its better turbulence depression behavior.

Effect of Turbulence Inhibitor on the Molten Steel Flow in Tundish

The flow pattern and temperature distribution of molten steel in tundish were calculated by CFD and heat transfer method. Comparing the tundish flow field and the temperature field of empty packet and turbulence inhibitor installed, the role of turbulence inhibitor in tundish was analyzed, and the advantages and disadvantages of turbulence inhibiter were illuminated. The results show that: the turbulence inhibitor can eliminate the short circuit flow at tundish bottom, stabilize flow, and homogenize molten steel composition; but the turbulence inhibitor can consume energy of molten steel, and reduce the temperature of molten steel in the tundish. Without the turbulence inhibitor, the surface minimum temperature is far from the narrow corner, it is not easy to knot cold steel; installing turbulence inhibitor can raise the molten steel temperature near inlet, steel flow will scour inlet refractory intensively, service life of which shortens.

The Influence of the Shape of Turbulence Inhibitors on the Hydrodynamic Conditions Occuring in a Tundish

The article presents results of the research that was carried out taking into account the influence of the (impact pads) turbulence inhibitor geometry and its equipment of the working space on the hydrodynamic conditions occurring in T-type tundish. Four different turbulence inhibitors were discussed. They differ in shape and configuration of external walls. The research was conducted basing on the numerical simulations as well as on tests performed on physical water model. As a result of calculations the velocity field distribution, turbulence field and marker concentration distribution in the liquid steel for the tested geometrical variants of turbulence inhibitors were obtained. Worked out RTD curves (Residence Time Distribution) allowed to determine the kinetics of steel mixing (the range of transient zone was estimated), and the percentage participation of the particular flow zones. The test carried out on the water model concerned one of the tested turbulence inhibitors. Research was done to verify the parameter settings of the numerical model applied in calculations. Obtained results gave valuable information about the work of the object after applying different turbulence inhibitors.

Numerical Modeling of the Fluid Flow in Continuous Casting Tundish with Different Control Devices

Numerical simulations were conducted to study the melt flow under the influence of control devices in a T-type two-strand bloom caster tundish via the open source Computational Fluid Dynamics software OpenFOAM. Three different cases were studied: a bare tundish, a tundish with two pairs of baffles, and a tundish equipped with a turbulence inhibitor and a pair of baffles. Turbulence inhibitor and baffles arrangement showed an improvement of the fluid flow characteristics, yielding lower values of dead volume and higher values of plug flow. With a turbulence inhibitor, the velocity of metal which flows directly toward the tundish floor is smaller and the turbulence kinetic energy of the melt top surface is lower than the other two arrangements.