Optimization of Two-Strand Industrial Tundish Work with Use of Turbulence Inhibitors: Physical and Numerical Modeling

The paper shows the results of the research obtained by physical and mathematical modeling of steel flow and mixing in the tundish. Two-strand continuous casting tundish was under consideration. It has been working in one of polish steel plants. The change of concast slab assortment was caused by the changeable market terms. So, the tundish with the new system of steel flow controller was needed. Up to now baffles with the notch have played this role. Their placement cause the excessive consumption of the lining of the tundish front line. As a consequence the turbulence inhibitor (TI) was applied. Four different types of this inhibitor were designed. As a result of the experimental measurements and numerical simulations, the RTD curves of F-type were obtained. Basing on these curves time constants for examined types were determined. Additionally, the research results were complemented by the E-type curves. The percentage participations of dead volume flow, dispersed plug flow, and well-mixed volume flow were calculated. The research gives possibility to estimate the designed TIs and their influence on the tundish work.