Numerical Simulation of Quenchant Flow Characteristics in Large Quench Tank

Abstract

The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique is employed to predict the flow of quenchant in a large quench tank. The characteristics of flow field in the existing quench tank are investigated, and the major deficiency occurred in the tank structure design is analyzed. Two different schemes for improving the tank structure design are brought forward, and further numerical simulations are carried out. Results show that the non-uniform flow field is generated throughout the quenching zone in the existing large quench tank. There is clear difference in flow rate in the regions near the inner surface of workpiece and the outer, which may cause the workpiece distortion and even cracking. Reduction in ring pipe intermediate diameter can not obviously enhance the uniformity of flow field in the quench tank. By adding an inner core in the center zone of the tank, the flow rate in the region near the inner surface of workpiece can be increased effectively, and the flow rate difference found in the quenching zone reduced significantly, which are beneficial to guarantee the quenching quality of workpiece.