Large-Eddy Simulations and Particle-Image Velocimetry Measurements of Tundish Flow

Abstract

Large-eddy simulations (LES) and digital particle-image velocimetry (DPIV) of a tundish flow are performed to investigate the turbulent flow structures and vortex dynamics. The LES is carried out using an implicit approach. In implicitly filtered LES, the computational grid and the discretization operators are considered as the filtering tools of the governing equations. The numerical computations are performed by solving the viscous conservation equations for compressible fluids. An implicit dual-time stepping scheme combined with low Mach number pre-conditioning and a multigrid accelerating technique is implemented for LES computations. The impact of jet spreading, jet impingement on the wall, and wall jets on the flow field and steel quality is investigated. The characteristics of the flow field in a one-strand tundish such as the time-dependent turbulent flow structure and vortex dynamics are analysed and compared with experimental results. To validate the numerical results, DPIV measurements are performed in a reduced 1:1.7 scaled water model. The investigations focus on steady-state casting conditions for the flow in a tundish. The results evidence a good agreement between the LES and experimental data. The LES solutions provide an extremely detailed insight into the highly intricate turbulent flow structure. Even phenomena like funnel-shaped vortices downward the shroud jet are well captured.