Modelling the effects of off-centered ladle streams on fluid flow of liquid steel in a slab tundish

The effects of off-centered ladle streams on fluid flow of liquid steel in a two-strand slab tundish were studied using water modelling techniques and particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Fluid flow in an off-centered ladle stream was compared with a centered ladle stream. In a centered position the proposed arrangement (turbulence inhibitor plus dams) yields higher fractions of plug flow than the current arrangement (baffles). This effect is stronger at the high casting rate. An off-centered position increases dead volumes at a low casting rate of 1.7 t/min. At the high casting rate of 3.8 t/min, effects of the off-centered position are decreased although the TI-D arrangement always renders better flow characteristics. Velocity fields determined with PIV measurements, demonstrated that the TI-D arrangements provide the fluid with a plug flow characteristic.     

Mechanism of fluid flow in a continuous casting tundish with different turbo‐stoppers

The fluid flow in a continuous casting tundish affects the separation of non‐metallic particles and the cleanliness of the steel. Today, laser‐optical investigations of water models are state of the art and enable detailed information about the effect of baffles, i. e. dams, weirs and turbo‐stoppers, on the flow. In this work 3D‐LDA and 2D‐DPIV‐investigations for different turbo‐stoppers in a water model on a scale of 1:1.7 of a 16 t single strand tundish are presented. Three circular turbo‐stoppers are investigated. Detailed measurements of the mean velocity and turbulence intensity in the tundish with and without turbo‐stopper are shown. With a suitable turbo‐stopper geometry the recirculation area in the tundish centre and short‐circuit flows along the side walls can be avoided and thus more favourable residence time distributions can be obtained. It is shown that the turbo‐stopper produces higher turbulence in the inlet region of the tundish, which is spatially more limited, however, in relation to the flow without turbo‐stopper. Thereby a more homogeneous flow is created at the discharge of the tundish with better conditions for the particle separation. The experimental data yield a good understanding of the flow phenomena in a tundish with turbo‐stopper and are used as validating criterion for numerical simulations (Fluent 5.5) on the basis of the Reynolds equations. The turbulence modelling is based on a two‐equation model (realizable k‐ε model).     

顶旋型湍流抑制器对单流板坯中间包内湍流行为的影响

摘要：设计了一种顶旋型湍流抑制器,使钢液产生旋转流场,降低钢/渣界面速度,促进夹杂物的去除,达到净化钢液的目的,并利用数值模拟的方法,对单流板坯中间包在稳态和非稳态时的流场进行研究。结果表明：使用新型抑制器相较于不使用和使用普通抑制器,对中间包稳态浇注流场有明显的改善,死区体积明显减小。拉速和中间包容量改变时,新型抑制器比普通抑制器对中间包液面波动的抑制效果更好。当拉速为1.15、1.55和1.85m/min时,使用新型抑制器的中间包自由液面的平均速度分别为0.040、0.053和0.062m/s,相较于普通抑制器分别降低了21.6%、24.3%和26.2%。当中间包容量为40、30和25t时,使用新型抑制器相比于普通抑制器,自由液面的湍动能分别减少了20.9%、25.0%和26.3%。     

Melt flow control in a multistrand tundish using a turbulence inhibitor

Water modeling and mathematical simulation techniques were used to study the melt flow under the influence of turbulence inhibitors in a multistrand bloom caster tundish. Three different cases were studied: a bare tundish (BT), a tundish with two pairs of baffles and a waved impact pad (BWIP), and a tundish equipped with turbulence inhibitor and a pair of dams (TI&D). Chemical mixing of tracer turbulence diffusion was also simulated and compared with actual experimental results. The TI&D arrangement showed an improvement of the fluid flow characteristics, yielding better tracer distribution among the outlets, lower values of back mixing flow, and higher values of plug flow. A mass transfer model coupled with k-ɛ turbulence model predicted acceptably well the experimental chemical mixing of the tracer in the water model. The water modeling and the numerical simulation indicated that the TI&D arrangement retains the tracer inside the vessel for longer times, increasing the minimum residence time. These results encourage the use of turbulence-inhibiting devices in bloom and billet casters, which pursue excellence in product quality.     

带过滤器中间包流场的数学物理模拟和应用

 为了研究过滤器通道对中间包内流场的影响,通过数学和物理模拟对不同控流方式的两流板坯连铸中间包的钢液流动及传热进行研究,分析了过滤器对中间包流场的影响。结果表明,原方案中间包采用湍流控制器＋挡墙、挡坝的控流方式,活塞区体积比例为26.33%,死区体积比例为17.94%;用过滤器代替挡坝后优化效果显著,钢液的实际平均停留时间由原来的243.68延长至262.50 s,死区体积比例由17.94%减小至9.11%,过滤器加入后出口处温度仅比原方案出口温度降低了2 ℃,且安装简单,成本低。现场试验发现,10个炉次后过滤器通道处共吸附夹杂物19 kg,这说明中间包钢液中夹杂物减少,有利于改善铸坯质量。     

非对称中间包稳态浇铸与换包操作的冶金效果

??To rationally assess and optimize the metallurgical effect of an industrially used three- strand asymmetric tundish?? the mixing characteristics of molten steel with different tundish configurations were investigated by residence time distribution??RTD??curves based on the analysis of fluid flow and temperature distribution at four flow control schemes?? and the behavior of the tundish level was tracked by employing volume- of- fluid??VOF??model. The fluid dynamics behavior of the tundish was studied in term of both steady and unsteady service situations with and without fluid flow control devices?? which made it possible to assess comprehensively the metallurgical effect of the given tundish. The results show that the flow control effect of bare tundish is weak. It is observed that there are distinct short- circuit flow and large proportion of dead zone?? together with the non- uniform temperature distribution and the flow state discrepancy among the three strands?? which will accordingly lead to the quality difference of the bloom castings. The improvements on the fluid flow characteristics and the temperature distribution have been observed in tundish with the combined application of baffles and turbulence inhibitor. The proportion of dead zone is decreased by 13. 28%?? the temperature difference is only 0. 5K among three outlets?? along with an improved fluid flow consistency. Additionally?? studies also show that this arrangement may have large steel level velocity and level fluctuation during ladle change period. That is likely to bring about exposure?? reoxidation and even slag entrainment of molten steel. Attentions should be paid to the control of the ladle change interval?? inlet flowrate and the moment height of liquid level.     

几种中间包控流装置的作用及比较

 中间包内设置控流装置对钢水流动行为和夹杂物去除影响显著。采用物理模拟的方法,系统研究和比较了常规双挡墙、湍流控制器、导流挡板和透气砖吹氩对中间包流体流动特征的影响。结果表明,湍流控制器可起到减小钢水喷溅、防止二次氧化和改善流体运动路线的作用,并减少短路流的发生。导流挡板与双挡墙比较,最短停留时间变化不大,但死区体积更小。与双挡墙相比,透气砖吹氩的最短停留时间提高不多,但峰值时间增加明显,死区体积大大降低。     

Mathematical modelling of the geometry influence of a multiple‐strand tundish on the momentum,heat and mass transfer of steel flow

Simple changes on tundish geometry may lead to significant improvements of transport phenomena of liquid steel in tundishes. In the present case steel flow in a six‐strand billet trough type tundish is mathematically simulated. Numerical results indicate the existence of a high fluid turbulence in the pouring zone and recirculating flows. Steel temperatures in the strands are also different, which from practice it would mean different qualities of billet among the strands. A simple change of design by widening the pouring box improves all the steel flow characteristics. First the turbulence in the pouring box is decreased, the recirculating flows are eliminated and steel temperatures in the six strands become closer to each other. Using a computational technique known as volume of fluid, surface topography of bath including the covering slag was simulated for both types of tundishes. These simulations predicted an open eye of the slag layer for the first tundish while in the second this phenomena was avoided. Thus, it was demonstrated the original hypothesis that small changes in tundish design may lead to a more controlled steel flow.     

两流非对称中间包结构优化与应用研究

采用水模型实验、数值模拟相结合的方法分析了原型中间包和优化中间包在钢流流场、中间包流动特性方面的差异.结果表明:优化中间包2#水口平均停留时间延长了8.0%,两水口流体平均停留时间之差下降了36.3%.流体在优化中间包内流动轨迹更加复杂,延长了流体在中间包内停留时间.通过工业实验证实了优化方案的可行性.工业试验表明:采用圆形湍流控制器加单挡墙组成控流装置的原型中间包,两水口钢液平均温差为5℃,浇注得到的钢坯试样中,140~300μm夹杂物数量为0.7 mg;而采用非对称长方形湍流控制器加多孔挡墙组成控流装置的中间包,两水口钢液平均温差为3℃或2℃,约为原型中间包两水口钢液平均温差的1/2;浇注得到的钢坯试样中,140~300μm夹杂物数量为0.2 mg,约为原型中间包的1/3.说明采用非对称长方形湍流控制器加多孔挡墙组成控流装置的中间包对两水口温度的均一性起到了显著作用,且更能有效地去除钢液中的夹杂物.     

板坯连铸中间包内夹杂物去除的数值模拟

以某厂50tT型2流中间包为研究对象,利用大型商业软件ANSYS CFX10.0建立了三维有限体积模型,采用多相流模型对中间包内钢液的流动特性、温度分布与夹杂物去除规律进行了数值模拟,重点研究了不同堰-坝组合方式、湍流抑制器形状、拉速、夹杂物粒径等工艺参数对中间包内钢水平均停留时间、夹杂物上浮率的影响。结果表明:湍流抑制器对夹杂物的上浮去除影响不大;随着夹杂物粒径的增大,夹杂物的上浮率迅速增大;20μm以下的夹杂物则很难在中间包内上浮去除;随着拉速的增大,夹杂物的上浮率是不断减小的;采用堰A=300cm、坝B=400cm、方形瓦楞湍流抑制器、过滤器组合式控流装置时夹杂物的上浮去除效果最好。     

四流中间包控流装置优化物理模拟

通过中间包物理模拟的试验方法对某钢厂四流中间包进行控流装置优化,优化试验分为挡墙类型优化和挡墙结构优化。结果表明,原型方案流体流动状态很差,导流孔孔径过大易导致短路流现象的发生,死区比例也高达34.16%。优化后的最优方案中Y3死区比例降幅高达33.14%,流体平均停留时间由原型的761.2延长至900.7 s,滞止时间则由32.2延长至76.7 s,优化效果显著,说明最优方案可以显著地提高中间包体积利用率,并改善钢液的流动状态,有利于冶金质量的提高。     

三流中间包结构优化物理模拟

通过物理模拟的方法对某钢厂三流中间包进行结构优化。结果表明，原型中间包由于挡墙正前方开有小孔，易导致短路流现象的发生。此外，导流孔倾角小且其方向正对边部水口，导致钢液直接从边部水口流出，停留时间较短，死区比例也高达41.08%。对原型中间包导流孔进行优化后，最优方案“U9 T1”的流体停留时间由原型的346.50延长至451.83 s，死区比例降至22.29%，降幅高达45.74%。这有利于中间包内体积利用率的提高，对实际生产具有重要指导意义。     

中间包上水口环形吹氩下气泡大小和迁移行为研究

摘要：通过水模型实验研究了上水口环形吹氩工艺下中间包和结晶器内气泡形貌,并结合数值模拟分析了透气砖位置、拉坯速度和吹氩量对中间包和结晶器内气泡尺寸、气泡迁移和中间包近液面钢液流动的影响。结果表明：上水口环形吹氩形成以塞棒为中心的圆台状气泡羽流,气泡浓度沿径向向外逐渐减少;附壁效应使得气泡羽流偏向塞棒壁面流动,增大气泡的碰撞聚并概率和近塞棒壁面的羽流上升速度,对中间包液面产生较大冲击作用;同时,部分细小气泡会随钢液进入水口及结晶器内部;增大吹氩量,中间包内环形气泡羽流中气泡数目明显增多,中间包近液面钢液上升速度增大;增大拉坯速度,环形气泡羽流的宽度和气泡数量逐渐减小,近液面速度减小;增大透气环距水口中心距离,中间包内气泡弥散度增大,环形气泡羽流宽度也随之增大,气泡羽流对中间包液面冲击作用减弱;增大吹氩量和拉坯速度、减小透气环距水口中心距离,进入结晶器的气量和气泡尺寸逐渐增大。实验条件下,透气环内外径为110mm/140mm、拉坯速度为1.2m/min时,吹氩量为4L/min较为合适。     

Optimization of Two‐Strand Industrial Tundish Work with Use of Turbulence Inhibitors: Physical and Numerical Modeling

The paper shows the results of the research obtained by physical and mathematical modeling of steel flow and mixing in the tundish. Two‐strand continuous casting tundish was under consideration. It has been working in one of polish steel plants. The change of concast slab assortment was caused by the changeable market terms. So, the tundish with the new system of steel flow controller was needed. Up to now baffles with the notch have played this role. Their placement cause the excessive consumption of the lining of the tundish front line. As a consequence the turbulence inhibitor (TI) was applied. Four different types of this inhibitor were designed. As a result of the experimental measurements and numerical simulations, the RTD curves of F‐type were obtained. Basing on these curves time constants for examined types were determined. Additionally, the research results were complemented by the E‐type curves. The percentage participations of dead volume flow, dispersed plug flow, and well‐mixed volume flow were calculated. The research gives possibility to estimate the designed TIs and their influence on the tundish work.     

Fluid flow behaviour in slab continuous casting tundish with different configurations of gas bubbling curtain

Abstract

Fluid flow characteristics in a two strand slab continuous casting tundish with different configurations of argon gas bubbling curtain (GBC) were investigated in physical modelling experiments. It was found from this research that the GBC with a small flow rate acted as a gas dam and could greatly improve the flow characteristics in the tundish. It increased dramatically the peak concentration time and plug flow volume, decreased greatly the dead volume, created surface directed flow and eliminated short circuiting. Therefore, the fluid flow characteristics in a tundish with GBC were favourable to the floatation and separation of inclusions from molten steel. The flow characteristics with low gas flow rate and short distance of the bubbling curtain from the tundish outlet were better than those with high gas flow rate and large distance of the curtain to the outlet. The optimal configuration for the improvement in fluid flow characteristics was turbulence inhibitor (TI)–weir–dam–GBC (TI–W–D–GBC), followed by TI–channel weir (CW)–GBC, TI–W–GBC and TI–GBC.     

Study on dimension and migration behavior of bubble under annular argon blowing at tundish upper nozzle

The water model experiments were carried out to study the bubble morphology in the tundish and mold with the process of annular argon blowing at tundish upper nozzle. The effects of the position of gas permeable brick, the casting speed and the argon flow rate on the bubble size distribution, the bubble migration behavior and the flow behavior of liquid steel near the liquid level in tundish were further investigated, coupled with the numerical simulation. The results show that with the process of annular argon blowing at tundish upper nozzle, a frustum cone shaped bubble plume can be formed around the stopper rod. The concentration of argon bubbles gradually decreases outward along the radial direction of the stopper rod. Owing to the wall attached effect, the bubble plumes float upward along the stopper rod, which can increase the collision probability between bubbles and the velocity of bubble plumes, causing a larger impact strength on the liquid level in tundish. In addition, a part of small bubbles are wrapped into the nozzle and the mold due to the drag force of liquid steel. With increasing argon flow rate, the number of bubbles in annular bubble plumes and the vertical velocity of liquid steel near the liquid level in tundish increase significantly. With increasing casting speed, the width and the bubble number of annular bubble plumes gradually decrease, leading to a decrease of the vertical velocity of liquid steel near the liquid level in tundish. Increasing the distance between the annular gas permeable brick and the center of tundish upper nozzle, the dispersion of bubbles and the width of bubble plumes increase, and the impact strength of bubbles acting on the liquid level in tundish becomes weaker. As the argon flow rate and the casting speed increase, and the distance between the gas permeable brick and the center of tundish upper nozzle decreases, the gas volume and bubble size in the mold increase. Under the experimental conditions, when the inner and outer diameters of the annular gas permeable brick are 110mm and 140mm, respectively, and the casting speed is 1.2m/min, the appropriate argon flow rate is 4L/min.     

不同湍流模型在中间包钢液流动数值模拟中的适用性研究

摘要：连铸中间包内部结构复杂,钢液流动状态多样,详尽准确的钢液流场信息是中间包控制和优化的前提。数值模拟方法已广泛应用于中间包内钢液流场研究,钢液流场的精确数值模拟离不开合适的湍流模型及相应的边界条件。基于CFD开源代码包OpenFOAM v8,分别应用标准k-ε模型、RNG k-ε模型、SST k-ω模型3种湍流模型,对称面边界、自由滑移边界2种液面边界条件,对中间包流场进行了数值模拟。通过与文献中实验结果比较,发现采用SST k-ω模型可以成功预测RTD曲线的“双峰”,且响应时间、峰值时间与实验结果较为接近;应用SST k-ω模型时,将液面边界类型由自由滑移改为对称面,获得的示踪剂响应时间的误差由93.89%降低至8.35%以下,峰值时间的误差由100.78%降低至12.32%左右。因此,SST k-ω模型、对称面液面边界可以较好地描述中间包内钢液流动过程。     

Study on applicability of different turbulence models in simulation of molten steel flow in tundish

The internal structure of continuous casting tundish is complex, and the flow state of molten steel is diverse. Detailed and accurate information of molten steel flow field is the premise of tundish control and optimization. Numerical simulation method has been widely used in the study of molten steel flow field in tundish. The accurate numerical simulation of molten steel flow field is inseparable from the appropriate turbulence model and the corresponding boundary conditions. Based on the CFD open source code OpenFOAM v8, three different types of turbulence models (standard k-ε model, RNG k-ε model, and SST k-ω model) were applied to simulate the molten steel flow in the tundish. Additionally, two boundary conditions of symmetry plane and the free slip were also applied. Comparing the simulation results to the experimental data, it shows the RTD curve obtained by the simulation with the SST k-ω model can successfully predict the "double peaks" that appeared in the experiment. Besides, the response time and peak value time are closest to that of experimental results. For SST k-ω, when changing the type of liquid surface boundary from free slip to symmetrical plane, the error of tracer response time obtained is reduced from 93.89% to less than 8.35%, and the error of peak time is reduced from 100.78% to about 12.32%. It can be concluded that the SST k-ω model and the symmetry boundary are applicable for the simulation of molten steel flow in the tundish.     

Experimental validation of flow and tracer-dispersion models in a four-strand billet-casting tundish

An exhaustive literature search indicates that, despite a large number of physical and mathematical model studies, very little efforts have been made to assess predicted flow and turbulence parameters in the tundish directly against equivalent experimental measurements until recently. Consequently, experimental measurements on the instantaneous velocity and residence-time distribution (RTD) were carried out in a scaled water model of a four-strand billet-casting tundish. While particle-image velocimetry (PIV) was applied to measure instantaneous flow, the electrical-conductivity measurement technique was applied to determine the RTD. Through PIV, the mean and the fluctuating components were derived along the central vertical plane of the tundish at two different liquid inflow rates: 1.55×10^?4 m³/s and 3.10×10^?4 m³/s, respectively. Similarly, RTD curves were obtained for tundish operations without and with a dam+turbulence inhibitor device (TID). Parallel to these operations, the flow and tracer dispersion were numerically predicted by FLUENT®. It is shown that the predicted time-average velocity components within the bath bear excellent correspondence with PIV measurements. On the assumption of isotropic fluctuations, turbulent kinetic energy was derived from experimental measurements, which agreed moderately with predictions. Furthermore, the experimentally derived fluctuating velocity components were compared with those obtained from the Reynolds stress model. This indicated very reasonable agreement between measurement and predictions (within ±20 pct). Despite such a difference, however, the extent of agreement between the measured and computed C curves was found to be excellent.     

六流T型连铸中间包流体流动行为的数学模拟

以某企业30t六流T型连铸中间包为模拟对象,采用数学模拟的方法研究了不同导流隔墙和坝的组合方式对多流中间包内流体流动特征的影响规律。结果表明,改变导流孔隔墙结构和倾角形式,并在六流T型包近水口两流之间放置坝,有利于延长钢水停留时间,改善多流中间包内流体流动特性并提高多流中间包各流流动一致性。