The free surface profile and fluid flow in the mold of continuous casting have been calculated by the VOF method couplingthe SIMPLER algorithm. The SIMPLER-VOF model developed is validated by solving a classical experiment, broken damproblem. The calculated surface profile is consistent with water modelling. It is found that the free surface profile is coherentlyrelated to the position of circumfluence in the mold of continuous casting. With the increase of nozzle port inclination, thepositive vortex above the jet is near to the meniscus and the level fluctuation becomes prominent.
Xiao LIU Huanxin ZHANG Rongjun XU Yongquan LI Houfa SHEN Baicheng LIU
To predict and optimize the temperature distribution of slab continuous casting in steady operational state, a three-dimensional model （named ＂offline model＂） based on the heat transfer and solidification theories was developed. Both heat transfer and flux distribution characteristics of the nozzle sprays on the slab were considered, and the complicated boundary conditions, such as spray cooling, natural convection, thermal radiation as well as contact cooling of individual rolls were involved in the model. By using the calibrated caster dependent model factors, the calculated temperature and shell thickness accorded well with the measured. Furthermore, a dynamic secondary water cooling control system was also developed on the basis of a two-dimensional transient heat transfer model （named ＂online model＂） and incremental PID control algorithm to reduce slab surface temperature fluctuation in unsteady state. Compared with the traditional spray table control method, the present online model and dynamic PID control demonstrate a higher capability and flexibility to adjust cooling water flowrate and reduce slab surface temperature fluctuation when the casting speed is changed.
To simulate the phenomena in the mold region of continuous casting by coupling fluid flow and solidification, a three-dimensional mathematical model has been developed based on the K-ε turbulence equations and the SIMPLER algorithm. A pseudo source term was introduced into the energy equation to account for the latent heat and kinetic energy. The fluid flow in the mushy zone was calculated by defining the fluid viscosity as a function of the solid fraction in the mushy zone. Fine meshes in the solid region improve convergence and reduce iteration time. Comparison of the fluid flow and temperature distribution with and without solidification shows that although the solid shell in the mold is thin, it still greatly affects the flow pattern. The numerical results obtained provide details of the fluid flow and solidification phenomena which can be used to optimize the nozzle structure and other process parameters in continuous casting.
Centerline segregation is of practical significance since it affects the material properties. Center- line segregation in continuous casting billets was studied by solving the fluid flow, solidification, and solute transport equations from the initially liquid steel to the completely solid state using the finite difference method with the SIMPLER algorithm. The results show that the centerline segregation is induced by both the fluid flow in the mushy zone and the accumulation of solute-rich liquid near the solidification front. The species concentration in the center of the strand rises quickly in the mushy region to a maximum at the end of solidification. The most serious segregation occurs along the billet centerline.
