OBSERVATION OF MOLTEN STEEL FLOW IN SUBMERGED ENTRY NOZZLE
Abstract
A fluid flow of molten steel in continuous casting mold directly results in slab surface and internal defects,
such as slag entrapment, inclusions, and pinholes. Much effort was made on the field to stabilize it. Application
of various electromagnetic forces and various nozzle designs are proposed and applied to commercial
continuous casting process. However, few studies have looked at fluid flow in submerged entry nozzle even it
is a source of flow in the mold.
In this study, fluid flow in submerged entry nozzle is in-situ observed through transparent immersion nozzle
by a fusible alloy model and a molten steel flow model. According to the experiment, fluid flow in submerged
entry nozzle is dominated by argon flow rate, metal flow rate and nozzle diameter. Meniscus height in the
nozzle is stable enough to measure, and decreasing argon flow rate, increasing metal flow rate and reducing
nozzle diameter leads the flow from potential-flow to plug-flow.
Another examination, measurement of net argon flow rate through mold meniscus revealed that about 20% of
argon gas injected from upper slide plate is brought into nozzle at continuous casting process. Taking these
results into consideration, fluid flow in submerged entry nozzle in conventional slab caster is considered.