Optimisation of electromagnetic field and flow field in round billet continuous casting mould with electromagnetic stirring

A three-dimensional mathematical model of mould electromagnetic stirring (M-EMS) was established. Based on Maxwell's equations, the continuity equation and the momentum equation, the distribution characteristics of electromagnetic and flow fields with M-EMS were numerically simulated by the finite element software ANSYS and the finite volume software CFX. The influence of M-EMS on electromagnetic and flow fields was examined, and the process parameters of M-EMS were optimised by industrial plant trials. By the model verification, there was a good agreement between the calculated results and the measured data. The results indicate that the tangential electromagnetic force increases with the increasing current intensity, and increases at first and then decreases with the increasing current frequency. The tangential velocity increases with the increasing current intensity and current frequency (2–6?Hz). According to statistical results of the centre equiaxial crystal proportion and the macroscopic defects of round billet for different process parameters in industrial plant trials, the optimal process parameters of the M-EMS are as follows: the current intensity is 400?A, and the current frequency is 2?Hz.