Modelling the influence of changing constructive parameters of multi-strand tundish on steel flow and heat transfer

The results of numerical simulation and industrial experiments on thermal and flow phenomena in a multi-strand tundish are presented before and after modernisation. The improvement of cast steel purity and the increase of continuous casting (CC) machine capacity was the basic aim of the research. The simplest action was to increase the height of the tundish side walls, so the working zone of tundish had a higher capacity and inside the working area a turbulence inhibitor was installed. Experimental measurements and numerical calculations enabled to estimate the steel velocity and temperature fields. The research focused on the determination of characteristics residence time distribution. Basing on them, the percentage volume of different flows (dead, dispersed plug, well-mixed) was calculated before and after modernisation, which enabled to evaluate the tundish working conditions. Additionally, they gave information about the influence of the multi-strand constructive changes on the hydrodynamics and thermal conditions.