Analysis of flow, heat transfer, solidification, and inclusion removal in continuous slab caster by finite element method

Abstract

A finite element based process model is presented for prediction of the full three-dimensional, thermomechanical behaviour occurring in a continuous caster. Described in detail are basic models for analysis of the turbulent flow and heat transfer in the liquid steel zone, in the zone of mixture of the liquid steel and solidified steel, and in the solidified zone. Then, these models are integrated to form a process model, which can take into account the strong interdependence between the thermal and mechanical behaviours. The capability of the process model to reveal detailed aspects of the thermomechanical behaviour occurring in the caster is demonstrated through a series of process simulations.