Flotation of nonmetallic inclusions during argon injection into the tundish of a continuous-casting machine. Part 2

The mixing of metal and slag where argon bubbles enter the atmosphere is analyzed by physical modeling. The best results are obtained with bubbling injection at a rate of 10–12 L/min, when the bubble diameter on reaching the slag phase is 3.25 mm. The mass of the metal droplets captured in the slag is 0.6 g; their speed in the slag phase is 1 m/s; the penetration depth is 3 cm; and the residence time is 0.4 s. That corresponds to optimal refining of the steel in the tundish. With the given injection parameters, the streamlines entrain steel at a rate of around 50 L/min (350 kg/min).