Physical and numerical modelling of a four-strand steelmaking tundish using flow analysis of different configurations

Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Modern tundishes have evolved as vessels to serve as the final step in refining of molten steel by removing inclusions and promoting thermochemical homogeneity. In this study the flow behaviour in a four-strand tundish was investigated by means of a ½-scale water model as well as numerical modelling. The numerical and physical models were used to characterize residence time distribution and calculate properties pertaining to tundish flow regime. Three different tundish configurations were investigated: a bare tundish with no flow control devices, a tundish with a turbulence inhibitor, and a tundish with both a turbulence inhibitor and a dam. The physical and numerical models showed that a tundish without flow control devices is prone to significant short-circuiting. A tundish with a turbulence inhibitor was shown to be successful in preventing shortcircuiting and provided surface-directed flow that might assist the removal of inclusions from the melt. However, it was also observed that the upward-directed flow caused the maximum turbulence kinetic energy near the surface to increase dramatically. The potential for slag entrainment should therefore be considered during the design and operation of tundishes with turbulence inhibitors.
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Description
CITATION: Cloete, J. H., et al. 2015. Physical and numerical modelling of a four-strand steelmaking tundish using flow analysis of different configurations. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 115(5):355-355.
The original publication is available at http://www.saimm.co.za
Keywords
Tundish -- Configurations, Structural steel industry, Heat treatment of metals, Numerical modelling, Turbulence -- Inhibitors
Citation
Cloete, J. H., et al. 2015. Physical and numerical modelling of a four-strand steelmaking tundish using flow analysis of different configurations. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 115(5):355-355