Large Eddy Simulation of Molten Steel Flow and Inclusion Transport in a New Butterfly-Type Induction Heating Tundish

Abstract

In addressing the retrofitting issues of conventional non-induction heating tundish, a novel butterfly-type induction heating tundish model was devised. A three-dimensional coupled mathematical model of magnetic, thermal, and fluid fields was established to investigate the temperature distribution, flow characteristics, and temperature rise curves within the butterfly-type tundish. The model for inclusion motion and removal, based on Large Eddy Simulation (LES), was devised, integrating factors such as normal critical velocity, coefficient of restitution, and critical incident angle at the wall boundary conditions to provide a more precise depiction of the reflection and adsorption processes of inclusions on the tundish wall. The findings suggest that induction heating can effectively offset the temperature loss of the molten steel and enhance the removal rate of inclusions, particularly those of large size. The outlet temperature increases by − 15 K, 7 K, 15 K, and 26 K, and the total removal rate of inclusions reaches 69.18, 83.37, 87.69, and 92.01 pct at 0, 600, 800, and 1000 kW, respectively. The channel serves as the primary site for inclusion removal when employing induction heating. Among these, the removal rates within the channel and at the slag layer exhibit a positive correlation with the inclusion diameter, while the remaining wall removal rates show a negative correlation. The implementation of induction heating technology leads to a notable decrease in the entry of large-sized inclusions into the mold.