Optimization of flow control devices to minimize the grade mixing in steelmaking tundish

Abstract

The minimization of grade intermixing in a tundish is one of the import concern of steelmakers. Different design and operating parameters of the tundish, as well as flow control devices (FCDs), has been used in last decade by researchers to modify the flow characteristics of melt in the tundish. In the present work, the three-dimensional numerical investigations have been carried out to optimise the design of FCDs in multi-strand tundish by using response surface methodology. The interaction of design parameters i.e., shroud depth, advanced pouring box (APB) wall angle, dam height and dam position has been studied by the response surface plots. An effort has been made to quantify the impact of APB angle and shroud depth. Moreover, these two FCDs have important implications in future for efficient inclusion removal. The quantification of intermixed grade steel in tundish has been made at each strand. Further, average output from all strand has been analyzed and the optimum design of FCDs has been suggested. An important finding from this study is that some FCDs have an adverse impact on mixing in the far zone of the tundish.