Collision Growth and Removal of Inclusions in the Molten Steel of a Continuous Casting Tundish
摘要
Mathematical models were developed to predict the transient concentration and size distribution of inclusions in a two-strand continuous casting tundish. The collision and growth of inclusions were considered. The contribution of turbulent collision and Stokes collision was evaluated. The removal of inclusions from the top surface was modeled by considering the properties of inclusions and the molten steel, such as the wettability, density, size, and interfacial tension. The effect of the composition of inclusions on the collision of inclusions was included through the Hamaker constant. Meanwhile, the effect of the turbulent fluctuation velocity on the removal of inclusions at the top surface was also studied. In the simulation, the size distribution of inclusions at the end steel refining was used as the initial size distribution of inclusions at tundish inlet. The equilibrium time when the collision and coalescence of inclusions reached the steady state was equal to 3.9 times of the mean residence time. When Stokes collision, turbulent collision, and removal by floating were included, the removal fraction of inclusions was 16.4%. Finally, the removal of solid and liquid inclusions, such as Al2O3, SiO2, and 12CaO⋅7Al2O3, at the interface between the molten steel and slag was studied. Compared with 12CaO⋅7Al2O3 inclusions, the SiO2 and Al2O3 inclusions were much easier to be removed from the molten steel and their removal fractions were 36.5% and 39.2%, respectively.