ANALYSIS OF MOLTEN STEEL FLOW IN SLAB CONTINUOUS CASTER MOLD

The flow pattern of molten steel in a slab continuous caster mold is v ery important for removing the nonmetallic inclusions in the molten st eel and preventing the entry of mold flux/slag into the molten steel. Different flow patterns are created by different operating conditions and submerged nozzle configurations. In this study, a three dimensiona l analysis system for turbulent fluid flow problems with free top surf ace has been developed to numerically simulate the molten steel flow i n the mold. It can evaluate the effects of operating condition and noz zle design on the flow pattern and thus on the flotation of inclusions and fluctuation of melt surface layer. The results of the simulations are very useful in determining the optimum operating condition and su bmerged nozzle design to obtain cleaner continuous by cast slabs.