Effect of electromagnetic stirring on the transient flow, solidification and inclusion movements in the continuous casting slab mold

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore how a time-varying electromagnetic stirring (EMS) affects the fluid flow and solidification behavior in a slab caster continuous casting mold. Further, the study of inclusion movements in the mold is carried out under the effect of a time-varying electromagnetic field.Design/methodology/approachA three-dimensional coupled numerical model of solidification and magnetohydrodynamics has been developed for slab caster mold to investigate the inclusions transport by discrete phase model with the use of user-defined functions. Enthalpy porosity and the Lagrangian approach are applied to analyze the behavior of solidification and inclusion.FindingsThe study shows that the magnetic field density distribution has a radial symmetry in relation to the stirrer’s center. As the EMS current intensity increases, the strength of the lower recirculation zone gradually decreases and nearly disappears at higher intensities. Additionally, the area of localized remelting zone expands in the solidification front with rising current intensity. The morphology of inclusions and EMS current intensity have a significant impact on the behavior and movement of inclusions within the molten steel.Practical implicationsBy using the model, one can optimize the EMS parameter to enhance the quality of steel casting through the elimination of impurities and by improving the microstructure of cast that mainly depend on solidification and flow patterns of molten steel.Originality/valueUntil now, the use of time-varying EMS in the slab caster mold to study solidification and inclusion behavior has not been explored.