The characterization of the fluid flow of liquid steel in a slab mold, using two nozzle designs under unclogged and clogged conditions, is performed using physical and mathematical simulations. Nozzle A, with an expanding and contracting geometry, yields larger sub-meniscus experimental velocities than nozzle B, with internal flow deflectors. The numerical predictions indicate quick time-changing velocity profiles in the submeniscus region between the mold’s narrow face and the nozzles. The flow deflectors in nozzle B have two effects; the high dissipation rate of kinetic energy in the upper-half length induces lower velocities in the ports than nozzle A. The neutralization of the biased flow caused by the sliding gate allows a balanced fluid through the ports. According to the results, nozzle A yields velocity profiles in the sub-meniscus region with larger standard deviations than nozzle B, leading to an unstable bath surface. The clogged nozzles produced biased-asymmetrical flow patterns in the mold, finding approximated matchings between numerical predictions and experimental measurements. The internal protrusions of the deposits lead to covariance losses of the bath surface wave heights. The use of internal deflectors helped to decrease the amount of clog material in nozzle B.

Nozzle clogging in continuous casting of steel originates by the adherence of alumina particles and other oxides, precipitated during the liquid steel deoxidation, on the refractory material’s surface. Hence, these particles’ nucleation and growth rates in supersaturated melts are analyzed considering, specifically, the role of the interfacial tensions between alumina, silica, and other oxides and the liquid metal. Weak steel deoxidizers like silicon do not need high supersaturations favoring high nucleation rates, giving particles’ narrow size distributions thanks to fast diffusion and Ostwald-ripening coagulation. Strong deoxidizers, like aluminum, need high supersaturation levels leading to broad size distributions. Besides, the morphology of these particles depends on the nucleation and growth mechanisms. The adhesion forces among the deoxidation particles, forming clusters, depending on the morphology and the oxide’s chemistry. The stability of the nozzle’s clog, adhered to the nozzle’s wall, depends on the interface tensions between the melt and the nozzle’s refractory surface and between the melt and the inclusion. The results obtained here help set up basic recommendations in steel refining and materials specifications of casting nozzles.

The characterization of the turbulent flow of liquid steel in a slab mold using a commercial nozzle was carried out through physical experiments and mathematical models. Six ultrasonic sensors were located at each side of the nozzle to obtain real-time plotting of the bath levels during the experimental time. An ultrasonic transducer located in the mold, 20 mm below the meniscus, determines the velocities and the turbulent variables along with the distance from the narrow face to the position of the nozzle’s outer wall. These data, together with the mathematical simulations, demonstrated a high correlation of bath level oscillations and the time-dependent behavior of the discharging jets. The flow inside the mold shows low-frequency non-symmetric patterns without a severe turbulent in the meniscus. The source of this instability is the partial opening of the slide valve gate used to control the mass flow of liquid.

Contamination of natural groundwater by arsenic (As) is a serious problem that appears in some areas of Northern Central Mexico (NCM). In this research, As was removed from NCM wells groundwater by the electrocoagulation (EC) technique. Laboratory-scale arsenic electroremoval experiments were carried out at continuous flow rates between 0.25 and 1.00 L min−1using current densities of 5, 10, and 20 A m−2. Experiments were performed under galvanostatic conditions during 5 min, at constant temperature and pH. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of the processing variables (flow rate and current density), response modeling, and predictions. The highest arsenic removal efficiency from underground water (99%) was achieved at low flow rates (0.25 L min−1) and high current densities (20 A m−2). The response models developed explained 93.7% variability for As removal efficiency.

Molten steel is alloyed during tapping from the melting furnace to the argon-bottom stirred ladle. The metallic additions thrown to the ladle during the ladle filling time are at room temperature. The melting rates or kinetics of sinking-metals, like nickel, are simulated through a multiphase Euler–Lagrangian mathematical model during this operation. The melting rate of a metallic particle depends on its trajectory within regions of the melt with high or low turbulence levels, delaying or speeding up their melting process. At low steel levels in the ladle, the melting rates are higher on the opposite side of the plume zone induced by the bottom gas stirring. This effect is due to its deviation after the impact of the impinging jet on the ladle bottom. The higher melting kinetics are located on both sides at high steel levels due to the more extensive recirculation flows formed in taller baths. Making the additions above the eye of the argon plume spout increases the melting rate of nickel particles. The increase of the superheat makes the heat flux more significant from the melt to the particle, increasing its melting rate. At higher superheats, the melting kinetics become less dependent on the fluid dynamics of the melt.