Effect of SEN structure on the mold level fluctuation and heat transfer for a medium thin slab caster

It is important to select suitable parameters of a submerged entry nozzle (SEN) for optimizing the flow and temperature patterns in a mold. The effect of SEN design on the mould level stability, meniscus steel flow velocity, and heat transfer of the mold of a medium thin slab caster was studied by means of 1:1 water modeling and industrial testing. The advantages of a 2-port SEN compared with a 3-port SEN are the following: more optimal flow patterns with a lower mold level fluctuation and a lower meniscus steel flow velocity; proper powder consumption without slag bears due to a reasonable liquid powder thickness. The argon flow rate can be reduced and the mold average heat flux and temperature near the edges of the copper plate are reduced. At a casting speed of 2.5 m.min-1, the mold level fluctuation lies within ±5 mm. In addition, soft cooling of the steel shell in the mold is realized, which is suitable for casting crack susceptible steel grades.