Mathematical Simulation for Liquid Steel Flow in a 7-Strand Continuous Casting Tundish

Fluid flowing of molten steel in a 7-strand continuous casting tundish with different configurations was investigated with mathematical simulation method. The investigation results showed that the velocity of liquid steel in pouring zone was large due to the small pouring zone volume and the minimum residence time of the third and fourth strands was short due to the short circuiting flow phenomena, in the former tundish configuration. Liquid steel, after it leaved from the pouring zone, flowed first along the tundish bottom, then the free liquid surface. For the improved tundish configuration, the flow velocity of molten steel became small, and after it departed from the pouring zone, the liquid steel flowed first along the free liquid surface, then the bottom and into the outlets. As a result, the residence time for molten steel in the improved tundish configuration was increased.