Numerical simulation on gas–liquid multiphase flow behavior under coupling effects of annular gas curtain and swirling flow at tundish upper nozzle

A three-dimensional mathematical model has been established for a novel metallurgy process coupling an annular gas curtain with swirling flow at tundish upper nozzle. The discrete phase model and volume of fluid model were applied to simulate the gas–liquid multiphase flow behavior in tundish and nozzle. The effect of argon flow rate on the migration behavior of bubbles and interface behavior between steel and slag was also investigated. The presented results indicate that the novel coupling process can significantly change the flow pattern in the stream zone of a tundish, prolong the average residence time of liquid steel, and reduce the dead fraction. A complete annular gas curtain is formed around the stopper rod of tundish. Under the action of drag force of liquid steel, a part of small bubbles enter the nozzle through the swirling grooves and gather toward the center of the nozzle by centripetal force. As the argon flow rate increases, the volume fraction of argon gas entering the nozzle increases, which enhances the swirl intensity and increases the concentration of bubbles in the nozzle. To avoid the formation of slag open eye in tundish, the argon flow rate should not exceed 8 L min⁻¹.