Analysis of Transient Flow and Inclusion Transport in Vertical-Bending Slab Continuous Caster with Mold Electromagnetic Stirring

To evaluate the metallurgical effect of mold electromagnetic stirring (EMS), the large eddy simulation (LES) model coupled with discrete phase model was developed to investigate the transient fluid flow, solidification, and inclusion transport in a vertical-bending slab continuous caster under mold EMS. Both the accuracy of predicted magnetic flux density and shell thickness were validated by comparison with the measured data. The results show that the flow field is transiently asymmetric without EMS, the variation of temperature field, solidified shell thickness, and inclusion distribution within the solidified shell are closely related to the flow pattern. Most of inclusions would aggregate at the mold inner radius owing to the buoyancy. The application of EMS can improve transient asymmetry of flow pattern within the mold through controlling the horizonal flow, which can further homogenize temperature and solidified shell thickness, increase removal rate of inclusions, and improve the uniformity of inclusion distribution within the slab. Meanwhile, EMS can also benefit to the cleanliness of subsurface due to its washing effect. Finally, the industrial application also verified the superiority of EMS, in which the area fraction of large size inclusions decreases to 3.2 ppm under the EMS current of 600 A.