Evaluation of six k-ε turbulence model predictions of flow in a continuous casting billet-mold water model using laser doppler velocimetry measurements

Quantitative fluid velocity and turbulence measurements, which were obtained using laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) during the course of the physical modeling of the molten steel flow in a continuous casting billet mold, are presented. The experimental findings are compared to the results obtained by the computational simulation of the flow using the high-Reynolds-number and five low-Reynolds-number k-ε turbulence models. The predictive capabilities of these turbulence models were assessed in comparison to the experimentally measured axial velocity and turbulence kinetic energy values. The measured turbulence velocity fluctuations in various directions strongly suggest the nonisotropic nature of the flow field, which cannot be predicted with the k-ε models. The extent of deviations between the measurements and computations was quantified.