Physical simulation study on flow field characteristics of molten steel during argon blowing in shroud of tundish

In the current study, water models are used to study the effect of the flow control devices, the casting velocity, gas flow rate and gas inlet position in the shroud on the flotation of inclusions and molten steel transfer behaviour at the tundish. Microbubbles were generated by using a ladle shroud. The results show that the inclusion flotation efficiency decreases and the dead volume fraction increases as the casting velocity becomes faster. Meanwhile, with the installation of the flow control devices, the residence time of molten steel becomes longer and the inclusion flotation efficiency is getting higher. Bubble adhesion plays an important role in removing inclusions. Smaller bubbles are favourable for inclusion flotation. As the flow rate of gas becomes larger and the gas inlet position installs a topper in the shroud, the bubbles become small. In this experiment, the flotation rate of inclusions in the tundish can be improved to 95.28% by changing the blowing parameters.