Physical and mathematical determination

This study investigates the transient fluid flow behavior in a tundish under two different arrangements: a bare tundish and one employing flow control devices. The primary objective is to assess the influence of input temperature changes on the flow characteristics of molten steel, with a specific focus on buoyancy effects that arise from step changes in inlet temperature. Utilizing both physical modeling and mathematical modeling, we find that in the bare tundish scenario, inertial forces dominate the flow, whereas in arrangements with turbulence inhibitors and low dams, buoyancy forces are more significant. The results highlight the discrepancies in flow behavior under varying temperature conditions for both tundish designs. Through comparative analysis with real operational behavior, the study identifies implicit errors that may occur in the flow characteristic estimations utilized for tundish design when temperature variations are overlooked. Such insights are crucial for improving the design parameters in industrial applications of tundishes, ensuring optimal performance in steel production. The findings underscore the importance of integrating temperature effects into fluid flow analyses for enhanced accuracy in tundish geometry and flow control strategies.