Transient fluid flow and superheat trans

The turbulent flow of molten steel and the superheat transport in the mold region of a continuous caster of thin steel slabs are investigated through transient large-eddy simulations and plant experiments. This study aims to provide insights into the flow dynamics and thermal behaviors within the casting process, which are instrumental for achieving high-quality steel products. The predicted fluid velocities were corroborated with measurements obtained from dye-injection experiments conducted on full-scale water models. Furthermore, the temperature predictions aligned well with thermocouple measurements taken from the molten steel during the continuous casting operation. The analysis confirmed the classic double-roll flow pattern at a casting speed of 1.52 m/min, showing that approximately 85% of the single-phase flow exits through the side ports of the nozzle. Notably, the temperature in the upper portion of the molten pool decreased to about 30% of the 58 °C superheat entering the mold, with significant superheat extraction occurring at both the narrow face and within the mold itself. Additionally, the temperature fluctuations and peak heat flux variations were quantified, while the inclusion of a static-k subgrid-scale model exhibited minimal influence on the solution.