Magnetohydrodynamic Effects on Insulating Bubbles and Inclusions in the Continuous Casting of Steel

The magnetohydrodynamic effects of a magnetic field on the motion of insulating inclusions and bubbles in a conducting liquid are explored in this study. The objective is to understand how these effects influence the terminal rise velocity of such inclusions within a continuous steel casting process. Methodologically, the research combines theoretical analysis with numerical simulations of an insulating rigid sphere under the influence of an electrical current, identifying the electromagnetophoretic force impacting their motion. Results indicate that an increase in the drag coefficient due to the magnetic field significantly reduces the terminal rise velocity, potentially hindering the removal of unwanted inclusions and subsequently degrading steel quality. Additionally, simulations of fluid flow inside a submerged entry nozzle suggest that inhomogeneous magnetic fields result in nonuniform gas distributions, which can be modified to optimize the amount of gas near the vessel walls. The findings underscore the importance of carefully managing magnetic fields in metallurgical processes to enhance the quality of steel production.