Modeling of molten metal flow in a continuous casting process considering the effects of argon gas injection and static magnetic-field application

A mathematical model has been developed to analyze molten metal flow, considering the effects of argon gas injection and static magnetic-field application in the continuous casting process. The k-ɛ turbulence model is used to calculate the turbulent variables. A homogeneous fluid model with variable density is employed to tackle the molten metal-argon gas flow. The electromagnetic force is incorporated into the Navier-Stokes equation, and the effects of boundary conditions of the magnetic field on the velocity distribution near the mold wall are included. A good agreement between the numerically obtained flow-field results and measurements is obtained. The argon gas injection changes the molten metal flow pattern, mainly in the upper portion of the mold. By applying the magnetic field, values of the averaged velocity field in the bulk decrease significantly, and, especially at the top free surface, they become very small, which can cause meniscus freezing. When magnetic-field application and argon gas injection are used together, the external flow field out of the gas plume is significantly suppressed; nevertheless, flotation of gas bubbles is still active and is not affected directly by the magnetic field. Although the penetrating length of the gas plume is shortened, the argon gas bubbles in molten steel still cause fluctuation at the top free surface, which prevents the occurrence of freezing.