Modelling steel flow in a three‐strand billet tundish using a turbulence inhibitor

A three‐strand tundish belonging to a billet caster was water modelled and plant trials were performed to compare the performance of a pouring box and a turbulence inhibitor in terms of melt flow parameters and steel cleanliness. A tailor made turbulence inhibitor for this tundish is useful to accomplish with flow control of fluid turbulence and even melt redirection to all strands. The turbulence inhibitor helps to decrease nitrogen pickup during ladle changes and to float out inclusions towards the covering slag. As a consequence, rod operations to take of alumina deposits from nozzle walls are considerably decreased using a turbulence inhibitor.     

超低碳IF钢头坯洁净度的研究

对比分析超低碳IF钢浇次头坯、过渡坯和尾坯的洁净度发现,非稳态头坯洁净度远差于其它铸坯,换钢包交接坯和尾坯洁净度满足质量要求。提出了改善头坯洁净度的措施,即浇铸前中间包吹氩以减少浇铸初期钢水的二次氧化、优化中间包堰坝结构以增加中间包堰坝吸附夹杂物的能力。采取措施后,浇次头坯洁净度得到了提高,钢种夹杂废品率降低。     

热轧卷板表面夹渣缺陷来源分析及控制现状

热轧卷板的表面夹渣缺陷对热轧板的质量及产品性能会产生极其恶劣的影响,会导致产品品级的下降乃至报废等问题,并对产品的服役期限及性能造成一定影响.随着冶炼过程中钢液洁净度的不断提高,夹渣缺陷所造成的质量问题显得尤为严重.而不同生产工艺下表面夹渣缺陷的来源方式略有差异,缺陷的来源主要有精炼过程中钢包渣的卷渣、非稳态浇注时期的...     

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.     

连铸夹渣类缺陷的成因分析和控制措施

分析了产生冷轧板卷夹渣类缺陷的连铸工序因素。结果表明,150 t转炉-吹氩站-LF-CAS或RH-(900～1 020) mm×210 mm连铸流程生产低碳铝镇静钢时,水口插入深度130～155 mm时热轧板缺陷指数远低于水口插入深度125 mm和160 mm时缺陷指数;浇铸时钢包水口自开和烧氧打开钢中平均总氧含量T[O]分别为15×10^-6和25×10^-6;通过下渣检验仪控制钢包至中间包的下渣量,热轧夹渣类缺陷指数显著降低。通过控制中间包钢水量,改进中间包水口结构;优化浸入式水口插入深度,提高钢包自开率和下渣检测使用率,采用低钠结晶器保护渣,使热轧板夹渣翘皮指数由原先的3.45降到0.73。     

Particle Distribution and Separation in Continuous Casting Tundish

The tundish as a part of a continuous casting machine combines the discontinuous ladle metallurgy with the continuous solidification of slabs in the mould. The tundish plays a major role in the challenging task of “clean steel” production. That means the smallest number of inclusions and high cleanliness in all steel grades after changing the conditions at the inlet of the tundish. Inclusions hinder the metal forming process and lead often to fatigue. The cleanliness of steels is important to fulfil the customer's requirements. In the present study inclusion removal was simulated in a 1:3 scaled water model of a single‐strand tundish for the production of stainless steels with a particle counter. The particle counter is capable of counting a large number of particles with a wide range of diameters. The separation rate for particle diameters from d_P = 1 ‐ 250 μm was determined with a counter for the water model tundish. With similarity conditions for the particles this deposition rate can be transformed to the melt flow in a steel tundish. The separation rate was measured for different flow rates in the water model tundish. A larger flow rate decreased the separation rate. Additionally, the separation rate for the tundish fitted with an impact pad was measured and showed a significant increase of separation for particles with a smaller diameter. Furthermore, the particle distribution in the tundish for different size groups of particles was investigated with and without an impact pad. Numerical simulations were carried out with the finite‐volume commercial code FLUENT using the realizable k‐ε turbulence model. A special boundary condition for the separation of particles at the surface was implemented.     

Two-phase sink vortex suction mechanism and penetration dynamic characteristics in ladle teeming process

At the late stage of continuous casting (CC) ladle teeming,sink vortex can suck the liquid slag into tundish,and cause negative influences on the cleanliness of molten steel.To address this issue,a two-phase fluid mechanical modeling method for ladle teeming was proposed.Firstly,a dynamic model for vortex suction process was built,and the profiles of vortex flow field were acquired.Then,based on the level set method (LSM),a two-phase 3D interface coupling model for slag entrapment was built.Finally,in combination with high-order essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) and total variation diminishing (TVD) methods,a LSM-based numerical solution method was proposed to obtain the 3D coupling evolution regularities in vortex suction process.Numerical results show that the vortex with higher kinetic energy can form an expanded sandglass-shape region with larger slag fraction and lower rotating velocity;there is a pressure oscillation phenomenon at the vortex penetration state,which is caused by the energy shock of two-phase vortex penetration coupling.     

超低碳深冲钢冶炼全流程中夹杂物分析

采用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对超低碳深冲钢冶炼全流程中的夹杂物进行分析。结果表明，RH精炼过程中的夹杂物由FeO转变为Al2O3类脱氧产物；中间包浇铸过程中的夹杂物以Al2O3·TiOx类夹杂为主，但受到钢包渣和中间包渣的影响；连铸过程中的夹杂物以铝钛夹杂为主，夹杂物的形成与结晶器内的卷渣紧密相关。     

短流程生产齿轮钢钢中氮含量的变化规律研究

通过对钢包、中间包及连铸坯各个环节氮含量的分析,找出齿轮钢连铸过程的增氮规律,钢包到中间包平均增氮10.5×10^-6,中间包到结晶器平均增氮4.5×10^-6。通过采取控制钢中的铝含量、氩封、水口保护和用好中包渣等措施,连铸过程中齿轮钢的增氮量可降到10×10^-6以下。     

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.     

抑旋板条件下多流中间包流动特性的数值模拟

以某厂35 t对称四流方坯中间包为研究对象,采用数值模拟方法研究了抑旋板对中间包流场特征的影响.结果表明:未加入抑旋板时,在端部的4流水口上方易形成逆时针旋涡,钢液面降至69 mm时便出现卷渣现象;在4流水口附近加入抑旋板,可以破坏水口处逆时针旋转流场,降低水口附近钢液流速,提高液面稳定性,对抑制汇流旋涡形成效果明显.改变抑旋板安放角度及高度,可使中间包内钢液均沿径向流入水口,钢液表面无明显旋涡形成,卷渣液位降低了40.6%,金属收得率显著提高.     

CAS OB精炼和连铸过程钢中夹杂物来源示踪研究

通过添加示踪剂研究CAS OB的精炼过程和连铸过程以及板坯钢样夹杂物来源。结果表明,精炼过程和钙处理后的钢中显微夹杂物均含有钢包渣示踪元素镧;中间包钢样中的显微夹杂物同时含有镧和中间包示踪元素铈;板坯中的显微夹杂物含有镧、铈、钾、钠中的几种,说明钢液脱氧产物与钢包渣、中间包覆盖剂、结晶器保护渣均产生了反应。板坯中大型夹杂物主要源于结晶器保护渣,其次源于钢包渣,少部分源于中间包覆盖剂;大型夹杂物同时含有钾、钠、镧、铈中的几种元素,说明大型夹杂物是脱氧产物与卷入钢液中的钢包渣、中间包覆盖剂、保护渣或中间包内衬蚀损产物相互反应的复杂夹杂物。     

CAS OB精炼和连铸过程钢中夹杂物来源示踪研究

通过添加示踪剂研究CAS OB的精炼过程和连铸过程以及板坯钢样夹杂物来源。结果表明,精炼过程和钙处理后的钢中显微夹杂物均含有钢包渣示踪元素镧;中间包钢样中的显微夹杂物同时含有镧和中间包示踪元素铈;板坯中的显微夹杂物含有镧、铈、钾、钠中的几种,说明钢液脱氧产物与钢包渣、中间包覆盖剂、结晶器保护渣均产生了反应。板坯中大型夹杂物主要源于结晶器保护渣,其次源于钢包渣,少部分源于中间包覆盖剂;大型夹杂物同时含有钾、钠、镧、铈中的几种元素,说明大型夹杂物是脱氧产物与卷入钢液中的钢包渣、中间包覆盖剂、保护渣或中间包内衬蚀损产物相互反应的复杂夹杂物。     

连铸铝镇静钢时中间包钢水氧含量预测模型

针对国内某厂６０ｔ中间包浇注低碳铝镇静钢的多次试验数据，从理论上建立了浇注过程中中间包钢水氧含量的预测模型，模型中综合考虑了钢包渣中ＦｅＯ及ＭｎＯ含量，耐火材料ＳｉＯ２含量，钢包到中间包钢水吸氮量，浇注时间，拉速，铸坯断面积等因素的影响，并对改进中间包操作进行了讨论。     

多模式全连续铸轧产线卷渣缺陷分析及控制

通过扫描电镜和能谱分析仪对低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面卷渣缺陷微观形貌进行观察和能谱分析。结果表明,低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面较短条状卷渣缺陷的主要成分为钙、铝和氧,为典型的钙铝酸盐夹杂物;较长条状卷渣缺陷的主要成分为钙、硅、氟、钠和氧,为典型的保护渣成分。针对不同类型的卷渣缺陷及其成因,分别在炼钢工艺的挡渣出钢、精炼工艺的升温时间和钙含量以及连铸工艺的中间包控流装置、中间包保护气氛、结晶器液面波动、钢包下渣和结晶器保护渣等方面进行改造、控制和优化。采取上述措施后,因低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面卷渣缺陷造成的产品降级率由大于10.0%降至1.5%以下,产品质量得到明显提升。     

Physical modelling investigation of influence of strand blockage on RTD characteristics in a multistrand tundish

Abstract

In the continuous casting process, the tundish acts as a continuous molten steel distribution vessel. The importance of the tundish during the molten steel delivery becomes more significant when it supplies liquid steel to more than one mould. In the present work, a water model of a six strand billet caster tundish has been used to study the effect of strand blockage on the residence time distribution (RTD) characteristics at the strands. All the experiments were performed under steady state conditions. Potassium chloride was used as a tracer for the study. The effects of blockage on the strand dissimilarity among the open strands were also studied. Both single and dual strand blockage experiments were performed. Blockage of strands deteriorated the RTD characteristics at the open strands. The results reveal the most preferred options for strand blockage when the plant operation needs to do so.     

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).     

多模式全连续铸轧产线卷渣缺陷分析及控制

通过扫描电镜和能谱分析仪对低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面卷渣缺陷微观形貌进行观察和能谱分析。结果表明,低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面较短条状卷渣缺陷的主要成分为钙、铝和氧,为典型的钙铝酸盐夹杂物;较长条状卷渣缺陷的主要成分为钙、硅、氟、钠和氧,为典型的保护渣成分。针对不同类型的卷渣缺陷及其成因,分别在炼钢工艺的挡渣出钢、精炼工艺的升温时间和钙含量以及连铸工艺的中间包控流装置、中间包保护气氛、结晶器液面波动、钢包下渣和结晶器保护渣等方面进行改造、控制和优化。采取上述措施后,因低碳低硅铝镇静钢表面卷渣缺陷造成的产品降级率由大于10.0%降至1.5%以下,产品质量得到明显提升。     

Fluid Flow,Heat Transfer and Inclusion Motion in a Four‐Strand Billet Continuous Casting Tundish

Inclusions in the steel in a four‐strand continuous casting tundish, billet and wire products are firstly investigated with industrial trials, and the fraction of inclusions removed in terms of total oxygen in the tundish is measured. Then the 3‐dimenional fluid flow, heat transfer and inclusion motion in the tundish are numerically simulated. The κ‐? two‐equation model is used to model turbulence. Inclusion motion and trajectories are calculated by considering drag force and buoyancy force, coupling the effect of turbulent fluctuation (Random Walk Model). The effect of strands‐blocking on the fluid flow, heat transfer and inclusion removal is studied. A new design of tundish is proposed focusing on removing more inclusions from the molten steel.