An Approach for Modelling Slag Infiltration and Heat Transfer in Continuous Casting Mold for High Mn–High Al Steel

To clarify the characteristics of slag infiltration and heat transfer behaviors in the meniscus region during the casting of high Mn–high Al steel, a mathematical model of a continuous casting mold that couples fluid flow with heat transfer, and solidification is developed. The model is based on the change in slag composition and properties caused by the steel/slag reaction. The formation and evolution of the meniscus profile and slag films for different mold fluxes during mold oscillation are described. The results show that the rapid growth of the slag rim with a high Al2O3 content approaches and deforms the meniscus so that a series of casting problems such as slag infiltration blocking, large fluctuations in heat flux, and even meniscus breaking occur in the continuous casting process. Predictions are in good agreement with plant measurements. These findings provide an improved understanding of the complex phenomena occurring in the meniscus region and give new insights into the evaluation and optimization of mold flux properties for high Mn–high Al steel casting.

Experimental Investigation on Fluid Flow in an Inclined Open Rectangular Microgrooves Heat Sink With Micro-PIV

The paper investigates the fluid flow in an inclined open rectangular microgrooves heat sink using LaVision-assembled micro-PIV system. The images of the accommodation stage and the corner flow stage at inclined 15 degrees angle with heat flux of 0.09W/cm2 were recorded by a CCD camera with the speed of 10 frames per second. The velocity profile at inclined 15 degrees angle with heat flux of 0.14W/cm2 was acquired by using the analyzing software DaVis 8.1. In accommodation stage, X-Y-Z scanning table was adjusted vertically and horizontally to investigate the velocity field of different focused planes. Results show that the experimental images of the accommodation stage and the corner flow stage verify the predictions proposed by Catton and Stroes that there exist accommodation stage and corner flow stage and no jump-like stage proposed by Nilson et al. Flow in microgroove driven by capillary force is very slow and the velocity is less than 1mm per second. In evaporating thin film region, from the left side to the right side of the microgroove, the velocity increases and velocity of the interface is the highest. In lower meniscus region, the velocity increases and then decreases.