The Effect of Upper Nozzle Refractory in Bubble Behavior Inside the SEN and Slab Mold in Continuous Casting: Physical and Mathematical Model

Abstract

This study intends to investigate the behavior of gas bubbles (air) inside a liquid flow system, simulating the submergedentry nozzle (SEN) refractory system, using a physical model. Air was injected through porous refractory plates, produced by RHI Magnesita, inside a water channel simulating the SEN. Recording was done with a high-speed camera (1000 frames/second) in order to assess gas distribution. Based on this, a mathematical model has been developed with the objective of evaluating the effect of flow rate (gas-liquid) on gas distribution for different combinations of drag and non-drag forces. The effect of gas distribution on the flow field of liquid inside the mold and other metallurgical aspects were discussed.