Numerical simulation of the liquid steel flow and solidification phenomena in the slab continuous casting process

A 3D coupling mathematical simulation program of the fluid flow,thermal transfer and solidification was developed based on the slab continuous casting process.Some characteristics such as fluid flow,solidification and temperature distribution near the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) and the corner of the mold were simulated and analyzed.The result of the calculation indicates that the flow of molten metal forms two big cycling zones in the mold after it flows out of the SEN,and the temperature at the center of the two zones is relatively low.Moreover,there is a small narrow cycling zone near the narrow side of the mold due to casting.The velocity of the surface flow,the turbulent kinetic energy and the F value might reveal the relationship between the fluctuation of meniscus and the quality of the slab to some degree.