Numerical Simulation Study on the Influence of Tundish Filter on Molten Steel Flow and Inclusions Removal

• Published in: Steel research international Vol. 95; no. 5
• Main Authors: Ding, Guoqiang, Feng, Dong, Luo, Xudong, Hou, Qingdong, Lv, Aiwei, Qi, Xin, Qi, Dabin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.05.2024
• Subjects: filters; Flow velocity; Inclusions; Liquid metals; Mathematical models; numerical simulation; removal of inclusions; Residence time distribution; Steel making; tundish; Tundishes; Uniform flow; uniform flow field
• ISSN: 1611-3683; 1869-344X
• DOI: 10.1002/srin.202300807

To study the influence of filter devices on the cleanliness and flow velocity of molten steel in the tundish, the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations, the species transport, and the discrete phase model are chosen to analyze and optimize the evolution of molten steel flow field and inclusions removal. The results demonstrate that the filter significantly affects molten steel flow and the removal of inclusions. More filter holes mean more inclusions can contact the filter, and the filter can absorb more inclusions. By changing the number and distribution of filter holes in the filter, the uniform flow of molten steel in the filter section is obtained. The total removal rate of inclusions increases from 64% of the original tundish case to 80% of the optimized case. With the increase in the number of filter holes, the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) curve shape of molten steel changes from narrow and high to wide and short, the tracer's appearance time and peak time at the tundish outlet are prolonged, the average residence time grows from 445 to 738 s, and the dead zone volume is reduced from 39.9% to a mere 0.5%. The flow rate of molten steel at the filter inlet is now below 0.048 m s−1. The total removal rate of inclusions is increased from 64% to 80%. The residence time of molten steel is prolonged from 445 to 738 s. The dead zone volume is reduced from 39.9% to a mere 0.5%.