Fluid Flow Characterization of Single-Strand Tundish with Flow Modifiers through Physical Water Model (PWM) and CFD Simulation

Abstract

The flow behavior in the continuous casting tundish dominates the quality and cleanliness of steel production. In this research, the single strand tundish's fluid flow behavior with different flow modifiers is investigated through numerical and experimental simulation. The numerical; simulation is performed in ANSYS FLUENT 19.2 (commercial package) and experimental through physical water model technique. The flow behaviors of bare tundish and tundish with three different flow modifiers are investigated. The three different flow modifiers deployed are the dam, baffle, and turbulence inhibiter (TI). Fluid flow performance is examined through residence time distribution (RTD) curves, which are derived from the measurement of the tracer concentration at the outlet. Good agreement between the CFD simulation and physical water model experiments is discovered. The results show there is an improvement in residence time and fluid flow (also improved inclusion removal) after the deployment of flow modifiers. There is a 20% improvement in peak and minimum residence time of RTD curves due to flow modifiers application. It is also discovered that the tundish configuration in this research, the tundish with turbulence inhibiter, provides optimal flow characteristics and eventually intended to promote a better level of inclusion removal.