Effect of Argon Blowing on Mold Level in a Commercial Slab Continuous Caster

The mold level is an important factor for high-quality slab. In this paper, the analysis method and the relationship between the argon blowing rate and the maximum mold level were proposed. The experimental data were collected from continuous caster in Meishan steel plant at first. Then, the maximum ten values of mold level data were taken the average value to represent the maximum mold level. After that, the Pearson correlation coefficient and Spearman correlation coefficient were used as standards to compare the correlation between different process parameters and the maximum mold level. And the results showed that there is a strong relationship between the argon blowing rate at submerged entry nozzle (SEN) and the maximum mold level. When the SEN is clogged, the Pearson correlation coefficient and Spearman correlation coefficient values between argon blowing rate and maximum mold level are the largest, 0.91 and 0.94, respectively. After the clog fragmentation, the coefficient values are 0.90 and 0.92, respectively. And the maximum mold level, (Ml, mm), is formulated as a function of argon blowing rate, (r, L/min). When the SEN is clogged, it can be determined by Ml=5.82r-28.42\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${M}_{l}=5.82r-28.42$$\end{document}. After the clog fragmentation, it can be determined by Ml=0.61r+1.12\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${M}_{l}=0.61r+1.12$$\end{document}. Besides, the numerical simulation also showed that the argon blowing rate could affect the molten steel velocity change rate at the SEN, which in turn affects the mold level. And when the SEN is clogged, the difference between the numerical value and field data of maximum mold level is 0.18 mm. After the clog fragmentation, the difference is 0.41 mm.