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Computational and experimental study of turbulent flow in a 0.4-scale water model of a continuous steel caster

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Abstract

Single-phase turbulent flow in a 0.4-scale water model of a continuous steel caster is investigated using large eddy simulations (LES) and particle image velocimetry (PIV). The computational domain includes the entire submerged entry nozzle (SEN) starting from the tundish exit and the complete mold region. The results show a large, elongated recirculation zone in the SEN below the slide gate. The simulation also shows that the flow exiting the nozzle ports has a complex time-evolving pattern with strong cross-stream velocities, which is also seen in the experiments. With a few exceptions, which are probably due to uncertainties in the measurements, the computed flow field agrees with the measurements. The instantaneous jet is seen to have two typical patterns: a wobbling “stair-step” downward jet and a jet that bends upward midway between the SEN and the narrow face. A 51-second time average suppressed the asymmetries between the two halves of the upper mold region. However, the instantaneous velocity fields can be very different in the two halves. Long-term flow asymmetry is observed in the lower region. Interactions between the two halves cause large velocity fluctuations near the top surface. The effects of simplifying the computational domain and approximating the inlet conditions are presented.

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Abbreviations

D/Dt :

total derivative (=∂/∂t+ν j ∂/∂x j )

x i :

coordinate direction (x, y, or z)

v i :

velocity component

v 0 :

kinematic viscosity of fluid

v t :

turbulent kinematic viscosity

v eff :

effective viscosity of turbulent fluid

ρ :

density

p :

static pressure

t :

time

k sgs :

sub-grid scale turbulent kinetic energy

Δ i :

grid size (in x, y and z directions)

i, j :

direction (x, y, z)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 61801, Urbana, IL

    Quan Yuan Ph.D. (Candidate), S. P. Vanka (Professor) & B. G. Thomas (W. Grafton and Lillian B. Wilkins Professor)

  2. the Biomedical Engineering Department, Northwestern University, 60208, Evanston, IL

    Sivaraj Sivaramakrishnan Ph.D. (Candidate)

Authors
  1. Quan Yuan Ph.D.
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  2. S. P. Vanka
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  3. B. G. Thomas
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  4. Sivaraj Sivaramakrishnan Ph.D.
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Yuan, Q., Vanka, S.P., Thomas, B.G. et al. Computational and experimental study of turbulent flow in a 0.4-scale water model of a continuous steel caster. Metall Mater Trans B 35, 967–982 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-004-0091-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-004-0091-8

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