Numerical Simulation for the Influence of EMS Position on Fluid Flow and Inclusion Removal in a Slab Continuous Casting Mold

Electromagnetic stirring (EMS) has been used to improve the steel quality in continuous casting process and EMS position is a key factor in optimizing the stirring performance. In order to clarify the issue that where to install the electromagnetic stirrer, a mathematical model, coupling electromagnetic field and fluid flow field, was developed in this paper. Three cases differing in EMS position have been investigated: the stirrer was installed above the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) port; the stirrer was installed near it; and the stirrer was installed below it. The model was validated by the comparison of electromagnetic flux density. The influence of EMS position on electromagnetic force, flow field and inclusion removal was analyzed. Index Rc was introduced to quantify the possibility of slag entrapment. The results shows that as the stirrer moves downwards, the maximum electromagnetic force increases, index Rc increases first and then turns to decrease, and the electromagnetic force causes the jet to bend more horizontally, resulting in an inactive zone when the stirrer is installed near the SEN port. Furthermore, under our computed condition, to improve the inclusion removal, the stirrer is suggested to be installed below the SEN port.