Effect of submerged entry port structure on fluid flow,solidification and inclusions motion in Ф800 mm large section round billets continuous casting

Abstract

A 3D quarter model coupled with a multi-physical field has been established to investigate the effect of different submerged entry port types on the fluid flow, solidification, and inclusions motion during slow casting of Ф800 mm large section round billets in continuous casting. The simulation results of the temperature distribution show good agreement with the measured data. Additionally, this model incorporates factors such as the locations of recirculation zones, meniscus fluctuations, shell thickness, sump depth and inclusions motion. Investigation results show that the multi-ports enhances vortex flow, elevates the vortex region, increases mould wall temperatures and reduces the centre temperature, with the four-ports configuration showing the most significant improvements; the five-ports design combines the advantages of the single-port and four-ports, enhancing turbulence within the mould and reducing the depth of molten steel impact, promoting more thorough stirring of the molten steel in the mould; when the port was single-port, four-ports and five-ports, the shell thicknesses at the mould exit position were about 45 mm, 63 mm and 56 mm, respectively. The DPM model was mainly used to simulate and statistically analyse the motion distribution and capture efficiencies of inclusions in the mould region under single-port, four-ports, and five-ports configurations, with capture efficiency of 13.7%, 28.5%, and 19.9%, respectively.