Effect of in-mould electromagnetic stirring on the flow, initial solidification and level fluctuation in a slab mould: a numerical simulation study

ABSTRACT

In-mould electromagnetic stirring (M-EMS) is a widely used technique during slab continuous casting. To investigate the effect of M-EMS on the flow and initial solidification in a slab mould, a three-dimensional model coupling electromagnetic field, flow and solidification was developed. To track the steel/slag interface, the volume of fraction (VOF) model was coupled in the model. The electromagnetic force presents a centrally symmetrical distribution on the cross-section. The influences of stirring current and stirrer position on flow, initial solidification and level fluctuation have been discussed. M-EMS enhances the transversal flow and shrinks the lower recirculation in mould. The results indicate that both a higher stirring current and a lower stirrer position produce a reduction of the temperature in the mould centre. Furthermore, a higher stirrer position and a lower stirring current are favourable to the solidified shell growth. However, M-EMS aggravates the level fluctuation, which may lead to slag entrainment.

KEYWORDS:

• Numerical simulation
• M-EMS
• initial solidification
• level fluctuation
• flow
• slab continuous casting

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully express their appreciation to the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 51474023] for sponsoring this work.