Numerical simulation of coupled fluid flow and solidification in a curved round bloom continuous caster with a combined rotary electromagnetic stirring

Abstract

ABSTRACT The magnetically driven fluid flow and solidification process in a curved round bloom continuous caster for production of a highstrength low-alloy steel grade (Q345) with the diameter of ø600mm by a combined rotary electromagnetic stirring including the mold, the strand and the final electromagnetic stirring (M+S+F-EMS) is numerically described. The strand surface temperature and the solidified shell thickness are compared and validated by the available measured data. The magnetic field, fluid flow, temperature field and macrosolidification behaviors under the combined electromagnetic stirring are analyzed. The effects of casting speed and the position of the FEMS on the solidification and electromagnetic stirring are focused. Results show that the variation of casting speed is very important to control the length of liquid core and the solidification pool thickness for a large-size round bloom. The pool thickness and liquid fraction of the melt determines the range of the optimum stirring location and the effectiveness of the final electromagnetic stirring.