Recent developments of an advanced numerical model for Continuous Casting of steel unveiled at the previous 2010 CSSCR Conference in Sapporo, Japan are presented. These include coupling of the existing multiphase, heat transfer and solidification model to argon injection for tracking bubble trajectories in the SEN, metal bulk and across the slag bed after passing through the metal surface. Hence, description of a method for adding gas injection in combination with a multiphase model for tracking metal/slag interfaces (Discrete Phase Model + Volume Of Fluid, DPM+VOF) is given.Validation is supported by tests on a revamped Continuous Casting Simulator (CCS-1) based on a low melting point alloy, which can realistically replicate the flow conditions in the caster. Metal-slag-argon flow predictions were compared to observations in the physical model showing good agreement on features such as discharging jets, rolls, standing waves and argon distribution measured through a variety of techniques such as ultrasound, electromagnetic probes and video sequences. Ultimately, the model makes possible the prediction of stable or unstable flows within the mould as a function of different argon flow-rates and bubble sizes. Application to industrial practice is an ongoing task and preliminary results are illustrated. The robustness of the model combined with direct observations in CCS-1 make possible the description of phenomena difficult to observe in the caster (e.g. argon injection and metal flow), but critical for the stability of the process and the quality of cast products.

Surface defects are recurrent problems during Continuous Casting of steel due to the introduction of new grades that are often difficult to cast, as well as the everlasting pursuit for higher quality and improved yield. Accordingly, numerical modelling has become a ubiquitous tool to analyse the formation mechanisms of such defects. However, industrial application of simulations is often hampered by oversimplifications and omissions of important process details such as variations in material properties, specific casting practices or shortcomings regarding fundamental metallurgical concepts. The present manuscript seeks to create awareness on these issues by visiting key notions such as slag infiltration, interfacial resistance and Lubrication Index. This is done from a conceptual point of view based on industrial observations and numerical modelling experiences. The latter allows a re-formulation of outdated concepts and misconceptions regarding the influence of fluid flow, heat transfer and solidification on lubrication and defect formation. Additionally, the manuscript addresses common challenges and constraints that occur during industrial implementation of numerical models such as the lack of high-temperature material data for slags. Finally, the manuscript provides examples of improvements on product quality and process stability that can be achieved through a holistic approach which combines modelling with laboratory tests, experiences from operators and direct plant measurements.KEY WORDS: numerical modelling; Continuous Casting; defects; lubrication; powder consumption.introduced as an alternative to study such issues in a more cost-efficient way than using traditional trial-error tests in the plant. Starting in the late 70's and 80's with the advent of personal computers, the first generation of models managed to predict the overall behaviour of the caster based on empirical data. 5-7) Subsequently, models in the 90's added Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and solidification to casting simulations. [8][9][10] Faster computers and improved codes allowed huge progress regarding multi-phase applications (e.g. bubbles and inclusions) combined with calculations of flow and solidification in the past decade. 11-14)Currently, a wide variety of commercial and in-house codes are available for CC modelling such as PROCAST, COMSOL, TEMPSIMU, CON1D/2D, etc. [15][16][17] Moreover, a recent trend is the development of thermo-mechanical models coupled to flow dynamics for solving the combined problem of flow, solidification and stress-strain during casting. 18,19) Of all these, PHYSICA and THERCAST are two of the most promising approaches; which allow: a) 3D unstructured -mesh, multi-physics model using a combina-

Since the early 1990s, mathematical modelling has supported metallurgical research at MEFOS. In addition to thermodynamic calculations and trials in various scales, the commercial software PHOENICS has been used to describe the transport of mass and heat. Steady‐state models, as well as transient models, have been developed for single‐, 2‐ and 3‐phase systems. In some applications, chemical reactions between the phases are also incorporated. Modelling activities have focused on the process route of steelmaking, including melting, secondary metallurgy and continuous casting. In this paper, highlights from some of these modelling activities are presented, including verification measurements. Process improvements are suggested, as well as some implications for treatment strategies and practices. Finally, future work and planned research are discussed.

No abstract

No abstract