Some Insights into Mechanisms Involved in Continuous Casting

A mathematical model of the continuous casting process for steel has been developed. This coupled model predicts metal flow, slag infiltration, shell solidification and heat flux. The model predicts values for the thicknesses of the solid and liquid slag films and the solidified shell, powder consumption and heat fluxes, all of which are in excellent agreement with plant data. The model has been used to study the mechanisms involved in (i) slag entrapment, (ii) the effect of mould oscillation on powder consumption, heat flux and shell solidification, (iii) oscillation mark (OM) formation and (iv) high and low frequency fluctuations.