Numerical simulation of zinc flow and temperature distribution in a galvanizing zinc pot

Abstract

Zinc flows inside induction channel have been investigated as well as flows inside zinc bath. Lorentz force and heat have been obtained by detailed modeling of electro-hydrodynamics in the inductor channel. The Lorentz force gets added to momentum equations. Generated heat is utilized in energy equation. Flow vectors inside channel have great magnitudes of 540-200 cm/s range and directions from core to opposite. However molten zinc inlet has been clearly observed in the middle channel and outlets on two side channels. Two line speeds of 3.0 and 1.5 m/s have been adopted to see the effect of line speed. Flow pattern in the inside strip region was affected by line speed. The rest area of pot shows little difference. Temperature distribution was uniform over the entire bath within 1.3 degrees. The induction channel displayed an increase in temperature by approximately one degree Celsius compared to inside the zinc pot. © 2008 ISIJ.