TURBULENT TWO-PHASE MIXING IN GAS-STIRRED LADLE SYSTEMS FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Two turbulent models, the conventional k-ε and Reynolds stress models, are employed to simulate turbulent recirculating two-phase flow generated by air injection to a ladle with and without throughflow. A Lagrangian-Eulerian scheme for two phases is computed numerically. It is shown that the k-ε model is not suitable for predicting highly swirling flow (i.e., nonthroughflow case), even though it yields results that are in agreement with measurements in less swirling flow (i.e., nonthroughflow case). It also is shown that the turbulent kinetic energies predicted by the k-∊ model are higher than those predicted by the Reynolds stress model. It is also disclosed in this simulation that the dispersion rate of a phone is more dependent on the bubble flow rate than on the bubble size. The location of the air injection nozzle is varied for the throughflow case. It is also revealed that air injection from the left bottom nozzle is more effective in reducing the zone of zero turbulent kinetic energy, which results in poor mixing.

Notes

Address correspondence to Professor Wen-Jei Yang, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Michigan, 2250 G. G. Brown, Ann Arbor, MI 48109–2125, USA. E-mail: [email protected]