Optimization of Multiphase Flow and Initial Solidification Behaviors in a Stainless Steel Mold by SEN Design.

The flow, level fluctuation, and initial solidification in a 1248 × 200 mm² slab mold of stainless steel under the bifurcated SEN with diverse divergent angle, inclination angle, and immersion depth were numerically discussed and compared in this paper, and the simulation results of flow patterns and level fluctuations were validated by water model experiments. The research outcome indicated that the flow field and level fluctuation obtained through numerical simulation are generally in line with the outcomes observed in water model experiments. When the inclination angles are 0, 8, 12, and 15 deg, the level fluctuations in the mold are 8.18, 15.60, 12.19, and 11.56 mm, while the solidified shell thickness at mold outlet is 12.76, 13.08, 7.24, and 13.96 mm, respectively. When the divergent angle increases range from 0 to 15 deg, the level fluctuation in mold decreases by 5.72 mm, while the shell thicknesses at impact area and mold outlet of the narrow side increase by 3.89 and 2.87 mm, without negative adverse impact on the shell and temperature on the wide face. The SEN immersion depth has minimal infection on the level fluctuation and shell growth in the mold. As the immersion depth increases by 40 mm, the level fluctuation at the steel/slag interface and the shell thickness at the mold outlet decrease by 0.85 and 0.8 mm, respectively. The research outcomes can offer theoretical direction for optimization of level fluctuation and initial solidification behavior in stainless steel slab mold with upward bifurcated SEN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]