ANALYSIS OF HEAT TRANSFER AND FLUID FLOW IN CONTINUOUS STEEL CASTING

The paper presents three mathematical and numerical models of heat transfer during continuous steel casting. The models differ from each other in the description of convection heat transfer in the liquid steel. The calculated temperature profiles in the strand and casting mould are compared and discussed. The first model involves the total mass movement of the continuous strand expressed by the average velocity equal to casting speed. In the second the convection heat transfer is simulated by the equivalent (increased) thermal conductivity of the non solidified steel, while the third includes the two dimensional steel movements in the liquid region of the continuous strand. For temperature calculations Fourier Kirchhoff equation has been applied. The velocity profile in the liquid region and in the solidifying shell has been calculated from the Navier Stokes equations coupled with the mass continuity equation. The calculations have been performed for the square strand 160x160mm in side. The problem has been solved using the finite element method.