Mesoscopic Model of Free Surface Behaviour in the Continuous Casting Mold

Free surface fluctuations in the continuous casting mold were simulated using the three-dimensional Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) coupled with free surface scheme. The LBM model was verified by the agreement between the calculated results and the measurements. The results indicated that free surface fluctuations at both sides of the mold were asymmetrical. Operation parameters of continuous caster played an essential role in the fluctuations of free surface. The distributions of free surface fluctuations were also quantified. The peak and trough fluctuations on both sides of the mold alternated thereon, accompanied by the stochastic formation of the vortices at the top mold. The simulation results suggest that the LBM models can offer a promising way to study free surface behaviour and related phenomena in a continuous casting mold.