A Coupled Heat Transfer Model for Simula

In the present paper, a 3-dimensional, dynamic heat transfer model for continuous casting of steel is presented. The model, named DYN3D, can be used on-line and is specifically applied to the bloom caster of Imatra Steel, Finland. It accurately calculates the shell thickness profile and the endpoint of the liquid pool during ladle and steel grade change operations. The model incorporates sprays and rolls into the boundary conditions to simulate secondary cooling precisely. Furthermore, the system comprises two interconnected models: a mould model that calculates temperatures in the copper mould and a strand model. A gap heat transfer coefficient that varies with the strand surface temperature links these models. An additional steady state heat transfer model, called TEMPSIMU, was developed to provide necessary machine data for DYN3D off-line. Reliable results depend on accurate thermophysical property data, which are computed using the IDS package. This paper covers the characteristics of the DYN3D model, highlights its rapid, on-line performance, and presents results from industrial applications. Future work will involve further industrial testing of the model with the bloom caster and additional comparisons with experimental data.