Sensitivity Analysis Of The Three Dimensional Flow Dynamics In The Continuous Casting Submerged Entry Nozzle

Abstract

Many quality problems that originate during continuous casting can be directly
attributed to poor control of fluid flow conditions, fluctuations on flow rate from the ladle into
the mold cavity and changes on nozzle exit port flow patterns. The objective of this study is to
characterize the dynamical behavior of the mold Submerged Entry Nozzle (SEN) based on
computational models. The numerical results validation was performed by direct comparison
with experimental data. A commercial code based on the finite volume method was used to
solve this problem. The Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence model was used in this
work. It was observed that numerical solution is sensible to variations on solution method
parameters and modifications of the nozzle bottom geometry. For instance, when the gradient
calculation was based on the cell, the solution converges to a stable stationary point. On the
other hand, when the gradient calculation was based on the node, the solution converges to a
limit cycle. Additionally, it was observed that slight variations in the nozzle pool geometry
leads to different mold entrance flow patterns.