Fluidynamic Effects on the Deposition of Alumina Particles at the Upper Tundish Nozzle

Abstract

Inclusion deposition is still a standing problem in the continuous casting of steel since the deposition of alumina inclusions inside the SEN affects the productivity and the product quality. The present work studies the factors involved in the inclusion deposition at the nozzle and the effects of inertial, gravitational, buoyant, pressure gradient, and Saffman forces on the inclusion trajectories. The results show that the inclusions reaching the nozzle, only 30% get deposited along its walls mainly at the Upper Tundish Nozzle (UTN). This area of higher deposition is identified close to a low static pressure and a high turbulent kinetic energy dissipation zones where the effects of the gravitational and buoyant forces do not promote a significant inclusion radial movement since these are aligned with the direction of the flow stream lines. In contrast, in this zone, the Saffman force shows an important effect on the deposited inclusions, slowing down the inclusions in the vertical axis and increasing their radial movement.