CFD Analysis of Multiphase Flow in a Slab Continuous Caster Mold

In order to analyze the influence of a third phase in the behaviour of the free surface profile in the mould of a slab steel continuous caster, multiphase flow in a mould water model is physically and numerically investigated. A one third scale mould water model was constructed in accordance with the Froude similarity criterion. The free surface profile in the experimental air-water system was tracked using ultrasonic level sensors which were located at six different positions along a line between the submerged entry nozzle and the mould narrow wall. Volumetric flow rates of water from 3.5×10-4 to 5.83×10-4 m3 /s were employed in the physical experiments. Three submergence depths of the nozzle, namely 0.05, 0.07 and 0.09 m, were considered. On the other hand, two and three phase transient and steady state numerical simulations were carried out by means of computational fluid dynamics software. Oil engine was employed as the third phase in the numerical simulations. A comparison between the experimental results and the numerical ones with three phases suggests significant changes in the steel-slag interface due to the presence of the third phase, particularly in the neighbourhood of the discharge of the submerged entry nozzle.Copyright © 2006 by ASME