Influence of submerged entry nozzle on funnel mold surface velocity

Abstract

Abstract In this article, physical and numerical simulation of the flow field in flexible thin slab caster funnel mold at high casting speed is carried out with a five-hole submerged entry nozzle (FHSEN), and characteristics of the flow field on funnel mold liquid level under different casting speeds (4, 5, and 6 m·min−1) and different submerged depths (130, 160, and 190 mm) are studied by comparing with the new submerged entry nozzle (NSEN) designed. Physical simulation is based on the funnel mold prototype. Numerical simulation is carried out based on FLUENT software, and industrial experiments of two kinds of submerged entry nozzle are also carried out. The results show that in the case of both physical and numerical simulation, the maximum surface velocity of the FHSEN funnel mold is 0.58 m·s−1, and the funnel mold liquid level is prone to slag entrapment. The NSEN funnel mold’ maximum surface velocity is 0.37 m·s−1. Compared with the FHSEN, the NSEN funnel mold’ maximum surface velocity decreases by 0.21 m·s−1, and funnel mold surface velocity decreases significantly. Finally, the accuracy of simulation results is verified by industrial tests, and it is also show that NSEN can greatly reduce funnel mold surface velocity and probability of slag entrapment.