CONTROL OF IMMERSION NOZZLE OUTLET FLOW PATTERN BY USING SWIRLING FLOW IN CONTINUOUS-CASTING

In conventional continuous casting system, using a submerged nozzle with side-pouring holes, it is very difficult to achieve a low and uniform velocity distribution of molten metal stream in front of the holes. In order to solve such a problem, fluid flow characteristics imparting a swirling motion at the entrance region of a nozzle have been investigated, using a water model. It has been shown that a uniform velocity distribution at the outlet can be obtained imparting a swirling motion in the entrance region of the divergent nozzle. This strongly suggests that the outlet flow pattern in the practical continuous caster can be controlled by introducing a swirling flow in the molten metal using an externally imposed rotating magnetic field.