Mathematical modelling of the geometry influence of a multiple-strand tundish on the momentum, heat and mass transfer of steel flow

Simple changes on tundish geometry may lead to significant improvements of transport phenomena of liquid steel in tundishes. In the present case steel flow in a six-strand billet trough type tundish is mathematically simulated. Numerical results indicate the existence of a high fluid turbulence in the pouring zone and recirculating flows. Steel temperatures in the strands are also different, which from practice it would mean different qualities of billet among the strands. A simple change of design by widening the pouring box improves all the steel flow characteristics. First the turbulence in the pouring box is decreased, the recirculating flows are eliminated and steel temperatures in the six strands become closer to each other. Using a computational technique known as volume of fluid, surface topography of bath including the covering slag was simulated for both types of tundishes. These simulations predicted an open eye of the slag layer for the first tundish while in the second this phenomena was avoided. Thus, it was demonstrated the original hypothesis that small changes in tundish design may lead to a more controlled steel flow.