Oxygen Penetration in the Protection Shroud in Steel Casting

Abstract

Physical modelling of argon shroud used in ingot casting was carried out using a 2D 1:1 scaled model in order to determine the oxygen distribution around the steel stream. The oxygen concentrations were measured by an oxygen sensor. Complementary PIV measurements were also carried out for a gas inlet configuration using dual (horizontal and vertical) gas inlet. The main findings were: (1) The oxygen concentrations were considerably high in the ordinary operation conditions. The oxygen contents were the highest in the case of vertical gas injection (higher than 11% in all cases). (2) A minimized distance between the ladle and the collar on the top of the vertical runner would reduce the oxygen entrainment by convection and diffusion, in the case of horizontal gas injection and a dual gas inlet configuration. (3) A modest flow rate of argon gas should be used. Further increase of the gas flow would not improve the protection. (4) A dual gas inlet configuration would be more effective than a single inlet, especially in the case of larger distances between the ladle and the runner.

Past and current components-based detailing of particle image velocimetry: A comprehensive review

“…Ragnarsson et al [ 82 ] focused on the physical modeling of argon shroud. PIV is used for gas inlet designs.…”