About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
CFD Modeling and Simulation in Materials Processing 2027
|
| Presentation Title |
Modeling of Pressure and Flow Behavior in Steelmaking Transfer Operations
with Slide-Gate and Stopper-Rod Systems |
| Author(s) |
Vipul G. Gupta, Hamed Olia, Brian G. Thomas |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Brian G. Thomas |
| Abstract Scope |
In continuous casting of steel, flow from the ladle to the tundish and from the tundish to the mold is controlled by slide-gate or stopper-rod systems. Care is needed to ensure the desired flow rate, and to minimize air aspiration, reoxidation, and flow instability. User-friendly models PFSG (for slide gates) and PFSR (for stopper rods) have been developed to investigate pressure and flow behaviour in these systems. Each model solves a one-dimensional series of Bernoulli-energy balances, and is verified with three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. They are further validated with plant measurements for both ladle and tundish nozzle systems. Negative pressure beneath the flow control restriction can be severe, leading to cavitation and non-primed, multiphase flow involving argon gas pockets and bubbles. Flow is further complicated by clogging with oxide inclusions, refractory erosion, and the accompanying dimensional changes. Challenges and recent successes in modelling these phenomena are discussed. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Iron and Steel, Modeling and Simulation, Process Technology |