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Analysis of a Full-Scale Bi–Sn Liquid Metal Model for the Continuous Casting of Steel

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Abstract

The complex multiphase flow behavior during the continuous casting of steel was investigated through a physically modeled full-scale liquid metal system. This system was operated using a stopper control system (2.5 ton Bi–Sn system). The obtained data, including nozzle pressures, were processed using a concise analytical model. Compared to water modeling, the use of a low-melting-point alloy (58% Bi and 42% Sn eutectic) allows for a full-scale system with material properties closer to those of steel (e.g., interfacial tension). An industrial-scale stainless-steel stopper and a submerged entry nozzle (SEN) were mounted on the system to prevent air permeation due to the negative pressure in the nozzle. Argon gas was injected into an industrial stopper–rod system through an argon line embedded in the stopper. The analytical model characterizes the pressure loss, flow separation, and cavitation of the stopper control system by considering the effects of argon in the nozzle. This study proposes the mapping of the pressure loss, throughput, flow separation, and cavitation based on the gas fraction and stopper position.

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Abbreviations

\(P\) :

Flow pressure

\(\rho\) :

Flow density

\(g\) :

Gravity acceleration

\(h\) :

Height

\(V\) :

Flow velocity

\({P}_{L}\) :

Pressure loss

\(K\) :

Pressure loss constant

\(\alpha\) :

Gas volume fraction

\({d}_{gap}\) :

Minimum opening distance at stopper-nozzle gap

\({P}_{argon}\) :

Argon line back pressure

\(f\) :

Friction factor

\(Q\) :

Volumetric flow rate

\(A\) :

Cross section area

\({h}_{2}\) :

Height difference between tundish bottom and metal level

\({h}_{tun}\) :

Tundish level

\({h}_{tip}\) :

Distance from tundish bottom to stopper tip

\(L\) :

Length

\(D\) :

Diameter

\({h}_{sub}\) :

Submergence depth

\({h}_{stopper}\) :

Stopper position

\({P}_{nose}\) :

Pressure measured at stopper nose

\(mix\) :

Gas–liquid mixture phase

x 1 :

Starting point of a streamline

x 2 :

End point of a streamline

SEN :

Submerged entry nozzle

metal :

Liquid metal phase

argon :

Argon gas phase

gap :

Stopper-nozzle gap (opening area)

tun :

Tundish

sum :

Sum of pressure losses by stopper and argon effects

elbow :

Loss by change in the flow direction by port outlet

friction :

Friction loss

clog :

Loss by clogging

tip :

Stopper tip

stopper :

Stopper

argon_h :

Thermally expanded argon gas

vapor:

Vapor pressure of liquid metal

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by an INHA UNIVERSITY Research Grant. This work was supported by Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP) grant funded by the Korea Government(MOTIE).(RS-2023-00243974, Graduate School of Digital-based Sustainable Energy Process Innovation Convergence).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea

    Hyunjin Yang

  2. Metallurgy Department, Swerim AB, SE 97432, Luleå, Sweden

    Joakim Eck & Pavel Ernesto Ramirez Lopez

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Yang, H., Eck, J. & Lopez, P.E.R. Analysis of a Full-Scale Bi–Sn Liquid Metal Model for the Continuous Casting of Steel. Met. Mater. Int. 30, 1370–1386 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12540-023-01577-6

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