Physical simulation of fluid field and structure optimization in two-strand tundish

The influence of the structure and location of dam and weir on fluid flow state in a two-strand tundish is studied,and a set of optimal structure,combining with the average residence time calculated from RTD curve,is obtained. The result indicates that the fluid flow state can be changed and the path of the fluid flow can be prolonged as well as the average residence time is improved after using dam and weir. But there are some dead zones after fluid passed through the dam and weir. Combination scheme of No. one dam and weir is better than the others. Its average residence time is 299 s and the volume fraction of dead zone is 31. 0%. After the optimization of flowing control parameters in tundish,the best case is that the distance between dam and weir is 290 mm and the distance between weir and the long nozzle is 383 mm. The longest average residence time is 351 s and the minimum volume fraction of dead zone is 19.0%under the above situation. Compared with that of no dam and weir,the average residence time increases by 65 s and the dead zone volume fraction decreases by 15.0%. Based on Newton formula,the calculated results show that the inclusions with diameter larger than 17.5 μm can float up within 351 s under this optimization situation.