Numerical and Physical Modeling of Liquid Steel Active Flow in Tundish with Subflux Turbulence Controller and Dam

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a computer simulation and laboratory experiments carried out to describe the hydrodynamics of steel active flow in the tundish. One of the parameters describing the correct influence of FCDs on the tundish operation is the description of the active flow zone (dispersed plug flow and well mixed volume flow). The facility under investigation is a single‐nozzle tundish designed for casting concast slabs. Computer simulations of liquid steel flow were performed using the commercial program Ansys‐Fluent. For the validation of the numerical model and verification of the hydrodynamic conditions occurring in the examined tundish furniture variants, obtained from the computer simulations, a physical model of the tundish was employed. During laboratory tests simulating the process of steel flowing through the tundish, E type RTD curves were recorded, which were then juxtaposed with results obtained from computer simulations. In order to obtain a complete hydrodynamic picture in the tundish furniture variants tested, the computer simulations were performed for both isothermal and non‐isothermal conditions.