Transient Thermo fluid Model of Meniscus

The behavior of the slag layer between the oscillating mold wall, slag rim, and solidifying steel shell is crucial for the surface quality of continuous-cast steel. This study aims to develop and verify a computational model of the meniscus region, accounting for transient heat transfer, multi-phase fluid flow, solidification of slag, and mold movement. Initially, the model's accuracy is validated against lab experiments conducted using a mold simulator, ensuring reliable predictions for transient temperature fields. Subsequently, the model is compared with existing literature and plant measurements regarding slag consumption, revealing reasonable agreement in both temperature and flow-field predictions. Results indicate that the transient temperature behavior is influenced by the thermocouple's location during oscillation, with local heat transfer rates significantly increasing when steel overflows the meniscus. A parametric study assesses the influence of casting speed, stroke, frequency, and modification ratio on slag consumption, finding that slag consumption per unit area tends to rise with increasing stroke and modification ratio, while it decreases with higher casting speeds, and its relationship with frequency is complex. The findings suggest that this methodology can be utilized for future investigations in the field.