Numerical evaluation of a submerged entry nozzle for continuous casting of steel

Abstract

<span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">In the continuous casting machines of steel, the clogging of the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) is a common problem that affects the quality of a product. <span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">The gradual increase in the clogging volume produces inadequate and uneven flow patterns inside the nozzle and the mold. The pool-type SEN is the most often used in continuous casting of steel. This work proposes a modification based on a uniform flow at the SEN exit ports and evaluates numerically the performance at non steady state of this nozzle. The aim of the modification is to extend the lifetime of the SEN, by implementing an active self-cleaning process. In the proposed SEN, the static bottom section of the pool is replaced with a sliding device of conical shape at the top. The performance of the proposed device is evaluated by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. This work shows that the hydrodynamic behavior inside the nozzle, and the vertical motion of the device allows to control the release of the inclusions into the mold.<span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">

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