Numerical simulation of the flow, solidification, and solute transport in a billet mold under electromagnetic stirring

Abstract

In this study, a coupled three-dimensional model of the billet continuous casting mold process was developed to investigate the characteristics of the macroscopic transmission behaviors under different mold electromagnetic stirring (M-EMS) parameters. The mold curvature was also considered during the modeling of electromagnetic and flow fields. The results indicate that the macroscopic physical quantities had nonsymmetrical distributions in the mold because of the mold curvature. However, the influence of mold curvature on the electromagnetic force could be ignored. The horizontal swirling flow caused by the M-EMS became stronger as the current density increased, which enhanced the dissipation of the molten steel superheat and promoted the growth of the solidification shell. However, the flushing of the bias hot jet slowed the growth of the local solidified shell. Meanwhile, the washing effect of the melt flow on the solidification front caused the solute element content near the billet surface to fluctuate. In addition, the distribution of the solute element content became more uneven in the strand transverse direction as the current density increased.