A 2-DIMENSIONAL HEAT AND FLUID-FLOW MODEL OF SINGLE-ROLL CONTINUOUS-SHEET CASTING PROCESS

Single-roll continuous-sheet casting process has been simulated using a mathematical model based on considerations of fluid flow, heat trans fer, and solidification. The principal model equations include momentu m and energy balances which are written for various zones comprising t he process. The flow of liquid metal in the pool is taken to be a two- dimensional recirculatory flow. The concepts of vorticity and stream f unction are used to reduce the number of equations and number of unkno wns, respectively. Model equations and boundary conditions are written in terms of dimensionless variables and are solved, using an implicit finite difference technique, to give stream functions and velocity fi elds in the metal pool, temperature fields in the metal pool, sheet, a nd caster drum, and the final sheet thickness for various operating pa rameters. The parameters examined are: (1) rotational speed of the cas ter drum, (2) liquid metal head in the tundish, (3) superheat of the m elt, (4) caster drum material, and (5) cooling conditions prevailing a t the inner surface of the caster drum. The final sheet thickness decr eases with increasing rotational speed of the caster drum and melt sup erheat, but it increases with increasing standoff distance and metal h ead in the tundish.