Abnormal transient phenomena in the continuous casting process: Part 2

Abstract

This paper is the second of a series of two describing abnormal transient phenomena observed during online monitoring of a billet continuous casting machine. Special attention is paid in Part 2 to in mould solidification. A mould heat flux drift phenomenon (HFD) has been detected, but only for mould powder basicities larger than 0·8. The HFD is related to a decrease of the heat flux in the lower part of the mould and an increase in both the billet-mould friction force and mould thermocouple variability. Results of tests changing the mould powder grade during casting have provided help in explaining the HFD. The probable reason for the HFD is crystallisation of the glassy slag layer. The heat flux ratio parameter (HFR), defined as the ratio between the heat flux in the lower part of the mould and the heat flux in the upper part of the mould, has proved to be a good tool for judging the casting performance of a mould powder.     

板坯连铸结晶器/铸坯瞬态摩擦行为的实验研究

合理控制结晶器与铸坯间的润滑和摩擦状况是实现高效连铸技术的关键环节之一,摩擦力作为表征润滑效果的重要参数已受到广泛关注。以板坯连铸机为研究对象,对液压振动条件下结晶器和铸坯间的瞬态摩擦力进行测试和分析。探讨了瞬态摩擦力及相关参数的变化特点,并对正弦、非正弦振动方式下的摩擦力检测结果进行了对比分析,同时讨论了正常工况与漏钢发生前摩擦力的变化特点。为结晶器/铸坯摩擦行为的深入研究和优化连铸工艺等提供了实验基础和技术支持。     

Experimental research on effect of control model on lubrication for slab continuous casting mould

Abstract

In casting the control model relation between casting speed and frequency plays an important role in the optimisation of process parameters and the improvement of lubrication condition. The mould friction between mould and strand can directly describe the powder lubrication situation in a mould. In the present research, based on the slab continuous caster equipped with hydraulic oscillators, the transient friction forces were obtained by the differences between the monitored driving forces of casting and the calculated driving forces of no casting at same oscillation parameters. According to the trends of friction force with different control models, the characteristics and disadvantages of the traditional positive control model, and the improved positive control model and the inverse control model are discussed. This experimental study contributes to studying the frictional behaviour in mould under different control models, as well as selecting reasonable control model for high speed continuous casing.     

Investigations on the Transient Mould Friction Force in Slab Continuous Casting based on Fast Fourier Transformation

In continuous casting, the friction forces in the mould reflect the lubrication between the mould and slab, moreover, they affect the slab surface quality and caster productivity. In the present research the friction force is calculated by measuring the difference of working forces during HOT and COLD tests, which are carried out on the slab continuous caster equipped with hydraulic oscillators. Through analysing the mould friction using the Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) method, the effects of mould oscillation mode and casting speed on the mould friction force are evaluated. The characteristics of the friction signal in the frequency domain are also investigated. Especially, the characteristics of friction force fluctuations before breakouts are discussed. The experimental and analytical results may contribute to more clearly understand the transient lubrication behaviour not only in the time domain but also in the frequency domain, which is also useful for the application of FFT in data analysis of mould processes.     

Mould lubrication and friction behaviour with hydraulic oscillators in slab continuous casting

Abstract

It is very important to obtain reliable lubrication from casting powder both at the meniscus and in the gap between strand and mould as it affects slab surface quality and caster productivity. With knowledge of mould friction, a quantitative insight into the behaviour of powder during caster operation is possible. In the present research, the friction was studied based on a slab continuous caster equipped with hydraulic oscillators. The effects of mould oscillation and the abrupt change of casting speed on mould friction force were evaluated, and the characteristics of lubrication behaviour in a casting sequence were investigated. In particular, a comparison between the mould friction force between sinusoidal oscillation mode and non-sinusoidal oscillation mode was made. Finally, the characteristics of friction before a breakout are discussed. The experimental and analytical results may contribute to the development of mould friction online measurement and more clearly learn the lubrication behaviour in different conditions.     

Analysis of thermomechanical behaviour in billet casting with different mould corner radii

Abstract

A finite element thermal stress model to compute the thermomechanical state of the solidifying shell during continuous casting of steel in a square billet casting mould has been applied to investigate longitudinal cracks. A two-dimensional thermoelastoviscoplastic analysis was carried out within a horizontal slice of the solidifying strand which moves vertically within and just below the mould. The model calculates the temperature distributions, the stresses, the strains in the solidifying shell, and the intermittent air gap between the casting mould and the solidifying strand. Model predictions were verified with both an analytical solution and a plant trial. The model was then applied to study the effect of mould corner radius on longitudinal crack formation for casting in a typical 0·75%/m tapered mould with both oil and mould powder lubrication. With this inadequate linear taper, a gap forms between the shell and the mould in the corner region. As the corner radius of the billet increases from 4 to 15 mm, this gap spreads further around the corner towards the centre of the strand and becomes larger. This leads to more temperature non-uniformity around the billet perimeter as solidification proceeds. Longitudinal corner surface cracks are predicted to form only in the large corner radius billet, owing to tension in the hotter and thinner shell along the corner during solidification in the mould. Off corner internal cracks form more readily in the small corner radius billet. They are caused by bulging below the mould, which bends the thin, weak shell around the corner, creating tensile strain on the solidification front where these longitudinal cracks are ultimately observed.     

Investigation of mould thermal behaviour by means of mould instrumentation

Abstract

The thermal behaviour of the continuous casting mould has a critical influence on strand surface quality, casting productivity and operating safety. voestalpine Stahl GmbH has long been interested in the field of research into mould behaviour, and began with the investigation of heat flux in 1995, and then of thermal variability in 1999. Since 2000, an online mould thermal monitoring system for heat flux density, thermal variability and friction has been installed. The heat flow density in the mould is determined by measuring the inflow and outflow temperatures and the throughflow volume of the primary cooling water. Temperature as measured by a thermocouple based breakout detection system in the mould copper plate is used to investigate the thermal variability. These online measured values have been employed to examine the influence of casting parameters, steel analysis and casting powder on the heat flux and thermal variability, and the relationship between these variables and cracking. The knowledge gained through these wide ranging plant based investigations has been used as a major tool in the diagnosis of problems (such as breakout and sticking), for optimisation of the process, particularly in the field of casting powders, and for control of slab quality. In particular, this knowledge has been incorporated into online mould thermal monitoring.     

Three-dimensional analysis and design of petal-like mould for continuous casting of steels

Abstract

Understanding the shrinkage behaviour of a steel billet is very important for designing the continuous casting mould, and conversely, a well designed mould is beneficial when matching the shrinkage behaviour of the billet. The shrinkage behaviour of a billet is hard to measure in situ during continuous casting but can be calculated by numerical simulation. A three-dimensional finite element model has been built to simulate the thermal and stress fields of the billet in the mould. The dynamic thermal boundary condition, the effect of ferrostatic pressure and the temperature dependent thermophysical parameters have been considered in the model. The shrinkage of billet when considering ferrostatic pressure is on average 0·08 mm smaller than when not considering ferrostatic pressure. The temperature and stress distributions are analysed in the present paper, and based on this analysis, a novel petal-like mould was designed and its taper determined. The designed mould has been tested in industrial practice showing better lifetime and billet quality.     

连铸结晶器内拉坯阻力在线监测方法的研究

提出通过振动电机功率监测结晶器内拉坯阻力的方法－功率法，对其原理和误差进行了分析，利用模拟装置对坯阻力与其消耗功率间的关系和电压的影响进行了实验研究，并对弧型小方坯连铸机进行现场监测，拉坯阻力与其消耗率间存在线性关系，功率法对连铸工艺与设备各参数的影响反应敏感，该方法简单，测试装置远离生产现场，精度可以满意生产在线监测要求。     

结晶器专家系统在莱钢宽厚板连铸机中的应用

为减少漏钢事故,莱钢在宽厚板连铸机应用结晶器专家系统,使用神经元网络模块建立振动摩擦力分析模型,通过拉钢过程中摩擦力的变化特征来预报不同类型的漏钢;将实时采集到的热电偶温度、拉速、液位、摩擦力等作为模型的基本参数,钢种、水垢厚度、保护渣、铸坯宽度等作为辅助参数,建立结晶器热力学模型,采用离线方式训练神经元网络。应用表明,连铸过程漏钢预警预报频率逐渐减少。     

板坯连铸结晶器摩擦力周期行为的研究

 结晶器摩擦力是反映连铸生产状况的重要参数,研究结晶器摩擦力的周期行为特点对于理解铸坯与结晶器间的相互作用,评价保护渣的润滑特点有着重要的意义。基于液压振动装置的板坯连铸机,对结晶器摩擦力进行了瞬态检测,分析了结晶器摩擦力的周期行为特点。研究结果表明：在稳定拉坯阶段,结晶器摩擦力在两种振动模式下具有相似的周期变化过程;周期内摩擦力最值的出现位置呈现出一定的规律性和不确定性;开浇阶段摩擦力会在长时间内维持正值且波动剧烈。     

Analysis of variability and non-uniformity of mould heat extraction for round billet continuous casting in plant trials

Abstract

Maintaining a stable and uniform heat transfer from steel shell to mould is important to produce high quality casting billet. In the present paper, a large amount of measured data of heat flux and temperature for round billet continuous casting mould from a plant trial has been analysed to shed light on the variability and non-uniformity of mould heat transfer around the perimeter. The results show that the variability and non-uniformity of heat extraction from the steel through the mould is affected slightly by operational parameters, such as pouring temperature, casting speed, meniscus, electromagnetic stirring current, but strongly by the steel carbon content and mould powder type. The installation of the mould in caster machine determines the magnitude of non-uniformity of heat transfer to a great extent. The relative root mean square (rRMS) of mould heat flux, presenting the variability and non-uniformity of mould heat transfer around the perimeter in transverse section, has wider range of variation and higher mean value compared with that of temperature. When the abnormality of heat transfer happens, such as deposit, the non-uniformity of mould heat transfer is also studied.     

Friction Forces between Mould and Strand Shell during Billet Casting

During continuous casting processes lubrication between mould and strand shell is very important for reaching and maintaining a good surface quality of both the as‐cast strand and the finished product. The lubrication is influenced by the properties of the mould powder but also by the friction forces caused by the periodic movements of mould and the descending strand shell. In the present research measurements were carried out to investigate the friction forces during 150 mm sq. billet casting of different steel grades using mould powder or granules and submerged entry nozzles. The friction forces reached values up to 6 kN. Since friction forces are depending on upward and downward movements within the mould‐strand‐system, the evaluation of a rheogram shows the typical change of pressure and tension. Maximum friction forces arise during the positive strip time of the rising mould, introducing tensions and cracks in the as‐cast strand. On the other hand lowest frictions forces are generated by the descending mould within the negative strip time leading to the healing of faults in the as‐cast strand. These industrial experiments indicate a correlation between friction forces and surface quality of as‐cast strands.     

Combination of inverse problem and neural network for thermal behaviour calculation of mould process based on temperature measurements in plant trial

Abstract

Heat transfer between mould and strand has a critical influence on billet quality, caster productivity and operating safety. It is very important to obtain the correct distributions of temperature and heat flux, and many studies are made on the calculation methods of heat transfer between strand and mould, aiming to reduce the computation time and improve the calculation accuracy. In the present paper, based on measured data of temperature and heat flux during round billet continuous casting, the calculation method which combines the online measurement data and numerical simulation was investigated. Through identifying the local thermal resistance and its distribution between the mould and the strand by an inverse heat transfer model, the heat flux and shell thickness profiles were calculated. To avoid the iterative solution by inverse model, a faster alternative model using an artificial neural network was developed to predict the thermal resistance from the measured temperature. After training, there is an exact correspondence between the observed temperature values and the thermal resistance. The calculation results obtained by the combination of neural network and numerical simulation can correctly reflect the characteristics of non-uniform heat transfer around the mould circumference, which provides a worthwhile and applicable method for online calculation and visual technology of heat transfer and solidification in continuous casting mould.     

南钢方坯连铸结晶器振动参数优化的研究

针对南钢方坯连铸在拉速提高后,振动参数在保持原模式条件下,低拉速范围结晶器导前偏大,结晶器与铸坯间的机械作用力大;高拉速下负滑脱时间偏小,保护渣耗量低,造成铸坯振痕弯曲、外凸、严重时出现钩形振痕现象的特点,对结晶器振动参数进行了优化。实践表明,采用优化的振动参数,提高了铸坯的润滑,降低了拉坯阻力,消除了钩形振痕,振痕恢复至正常圆角凹陷形。     

Optimization of Oscillation Model for Slab Continuous Casting Mould Based on Mould Friction Measurements in Plant Trial

Lubrication and friction between the mould and strand are strongly influenced by mould oscillation, and play an important role in slab quality and operating safety during continuous casting processes. Investigation of mould oscillation is therefore essential for getting a better online control of the mould processes. A feasible approach for the development and optimization of mould oscillation was put forward, which combined online measurement of mould friction, design of negative oscillating parameters and evaluation for powder consumption. Three different control models including sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal oscillation for mould oscillations were developed to investigate and evaluate the effects of oscillation on mould friction and powder lubrication. For the purpose of investigating mould friction between mould and strand, online measurement was carried out on a slab continuous caster equipped with a hydraulic oscillator. Also the comparison of the mould friction in sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal mould oscillation was made for subsequent analysis. The industrial experiment result shows that the combination of inverse control model and non-sinusoidal oscillation mode will contribute to the proper powder consumption, leading to a suitable effect of friction force on strand surface, especially for high speed continuous casting. The proposed method provides reliable basis for guiding and optimizing mould oscillation among control models, sinusoidal oscillation and non-sinusoidal oscillation.     

结晶器内嵌套对连铸方坯凝固组织的影响

通过方坯结晶器上端内嵌石墨套改变结晶器内凝固坯壳层界面前沿的温度梯度，研究了给定的浇注温度下嵌石墨套对连铸坯凝固组织变化的影响。嵌石墨套结晶器显著改变其凝固壳前端钢液的温度分布，有效地抑制铸坯柱状晶的生长，扩大等轴晶区，减轻凝固偏析。     

Mould heat transfer and continuously cast billet quality with mould flux lubrication Part 2 Quality issues

Abstract

With many billet producers adopting mould powder lubrication, there is a need to clarify the gains in quality that can be achieved with this practice. Over the past three decades considerable research has been conducted to establish the relationship between mould behaviour and defect formation for billets continuously cast with oil lubrication, but little has been done to compare oil cast billets with powder cast billets. In this study, conducted at a Canadian minimill, four faces of a copper mould were instrumented with thermocouples and mould temperatures and billet quality were monitored with mould powder lubrication during casting of 208 × 208 mm billets. In the first part of this two part series (in Ironmaking & Steelmaking No. 1 2000), the results of the mould heat transfer analysis and the influence of variables were presented, together with a comparison between oil and powder lubrication. In the present paper, Part 2, billet quality is examined in detail. The difference in turbulence at the meniscus between oil and powder lubrication is established, and the need to tune mould level sensors when switching to mould powders is demonstrated. Previous work has shown that mould level fluctuations have a strong influence on defects such as offsquareness and transverse depressions, both of which are markedly reduced when casting with mould powders. The inherent stability of the meniscus is improved when employing mould powder lubrication and a submerged entry nozzle. Furthermore, the significant reduction in mould heat transfer at the meniscus, when mould powders are employed, particularly for medium carbon steels has been shown to correlate well with the observed reduction in offsquareness. The paper also elucidates the reasons for the reduction, and in most cases, elimination of transverse depressions in B–Ti grades when casting with mould powders. The mechanism of longitudinal depression formation and subsurface cracking observed in many of the powder cast, medium carbon billets has also been established.     

Continuous casting mould powder evaluation

Abstract

A continuous casting mould powder must satisfy various requirements including thermal insulation, chemical insulation, inclusion absorption, lubrication, and promotion of uniform heat transfer from the solidifying steel strand to the copper mould. The relative importance of these properties varies according to the type of steel cast, the prevailing casting conditions, and the end steel requirements. Development of mould powders at Corus UK Ltd involves plant based trials of different powders whose properties influence the above characteristics of which heat transfer is a major consideration. Particular use is made of mould thermal monitoring which, although primarily designed for sticker breakout detection, is now finding increasing use as an investigative tool in mould slag assessment. Both static and dynamic plant data are now available relating mould slag heat transfer performance to casting conditions and this paper describes some recent investigative work carried out by the Aluminium & Steel Casting Department of Teesside Technology Centre, Corus UK Ltd. The study shows that using a combination of plant based observation and laboratory analysis, a greater depth in understanding of mould powder performance can be realised, yielding important information for future powder development.     

Online Measurement for Transient Mold Friction Based on the Hydraulic Oscillators of Continuous-Casting Mold

The interaction of the strand shell surface and mold copper plates has significant effects on the slab surface quality and casting productivity. This article focuses on developing a reliable approach to measure the transient friction force between the slab and the mold for the purpose of the investigation of lubrication and friction behavior inside a mold. This method is presented to monitor transient mold frictions for the slab continuous caster equipped with hydraulic oscillators. A mathematical model is also developed to calculate the empty working force of the no casting state, and a new algorithm, based on the particle swarm optimization, is proposed to predict the dynamic characteristic parameters of mold oscillation. The results have shown that the method has a sufficient sensitivity to variation, especially to the periodical variation of the mold friction, and it has been identified that the transient mold friction can be used as an effective index with regard to detecting mold oscillation and optimizing the casting parameters for process control. It may lay the practical foundation for the online detection of powder lubrication and the visualization of the continuous-casting mold process.