Numerical simulation on level fluctuation in bloom casting mold with electromagnetic stirring

Abstract

Based on a 380mm x 280mm bloom caster mold, the level fluctuation of steel-slag interface in the mold was simulated by the VOF model of commercial software Fluent. The effects of current intensity and frequency of EMS (electromagnetic stirring) on the level fluctuation in the mold were studied. The results show that whether or not with EMS, the maximum level fluctuation site of the mold occurs in the vicinity of the submerged entry nozzle. Compared with casting without EMS, molten steel flows horizontally rotatably under the action of the electromagnetic force by electromagnetic stirring, so the impact depth of molten steel decreases, then the level fluctuation slightly reduces, and the maximum level fluctuation value in the wide direction and the narrow direction of the mold, reduce from 4.24mm and 4.14mm to 4.04mm and 3.73mm respectively. With increasing intensity and frequency of current, the mold level fluctuation rises and the distribution uniformity of the level fluctuating amplitude worsens. The maximum level fluctuation enlarges by 0.18mm with raising the current intensity from 450A to 550A, but it enlarges by 0.79mm with 600A current intensity. The maximum level fluctuation enlarges by 0.15mm with raising the current frequency from 1.5Hz to 2.0Hz, but it quickly enlarges by 0.78mm with 2.5Hz current frequency. When the current strength and frequency are not more than 550A and 2.0Hz, level fluctuations are 4.00mm or less, which can meet requirements for controlling the bloom surface quality.