Enhancing liquid metal quality and productivity in a slab caster through physical and mathematical modelling

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Flat product manufacturers are under constant pressure to increase productivity, and simultaneously maintain high quality of continuously cast steel slabs because of stringent quality demands imposed by their customers. However, increasing productivity has detrimental effects on slab quality, and defects and rejections have a major impact on the producers bottom-line. Controlling fluid flows in continuous casting tundishes, and moulds is one of the key parameters to ensure cleaner steel and reduce defects. Physical and mathematical modelling is an absolutely essential tool to understand and optimize fluid flows in continuous casting. The continuous caster consists of two integral aspects: (i) mould; (ii) tundish. This project will deal with liquid metal flow and cleanliness in the tundish. The main goal in the tundish is to control and optimize the melt flow which will enhance steel cleanliness. This will help in the reduction of SEN clogging, minimize inclusion formation, and supply cleaner steel to the moulds. The overall aim of the project is to identify solution strategies for enhancing steel cleanliness in the tundish, and increasing the productivity for ultra-low carbon steel and drawn steel grades. The cost saving arising from improving both liquid and solid steel quality is expected to exceed $2 million/year. The proposed research project is aligned with AMD's strategic vision and business goals, and will create immediate benefits to ArcelorMittal Dofasco, located in Ontario, Canada. The results of this research will create applied knowledge that will facilitate better design and operation of the continuous casting process. The study will establish a basis for improvements that benefits not only the Canadian but also the global steel industry in terms of product cleanliness, quality and productivity. Several highly qualified personnel (HQP) will be trained in the course of the project in the area of steelmaking and casting who will eventually enter the steel industry or academia in Canada.