Numerical and Physical Simulation of Flow Patterns in a Swirling Flow Tundish

Abstract

Swirling flow tundish is a new kind of tundish which has shown good effects on flotation of inclusion and reduction of inclusion content. In this paper, studies have been carried out on the flow fields in a one‐strand slab tundish. A full scale model of the flow patterns in the water model tundish was developed using a self‐developed code. RTD curves under different experimental conditions were obtained from both physical and numerical simulations. The effects of the swirling flow chamber geometry and the flowrate on flow patters in the tundish were discussed and compared with results from the numerical simulation. Validation of the self‐developed codes was achieved by comparing the physical and numerical results of the RTD curves and the mean rotational velocities in swirling flow tundish. As a result, significant rotational flow in the swirling flow chamber and asymmetrical flow pattern in the whole tundish were confirmed and the effects of these parameters on dead zone and mean residence time were also obtained. Further and more comprehensive studies are needed to optimize the design and application of such tundishes.