Numerical Investigations on the Influence of Electromagnetic Stirring on Multiphase Flow in Continuous Casting Billet: A Parametric Study

Abstract

Abstract. Mold electromagnetic stirring (M-EMS) is a technique that enhances the quality of the billet by promoting the equiaxed grain formation. In the present study, a 3D numerical model coupled with M-EMS is established to investigate the effect of current density and frequency on flow pattern, solidification, and interface behavior in billet continuous casting of steel. The volume of fluid (VOF) model is adopted to study the behavior of the slag–metal interface. The results reveal that the current density of EMS mainly determines the strength of stirring. On increasing the current density, the intensity of stirring increases. It leads to an increase in the uniformity of temperature distribution in the billet. However, at a very high current density (≥800A), M-EMS inhibits the solidification growth below the center of the stirrer and increases the interface fluctuation. Frequency plays little role in affecting flow behavior, thus affecting heat transfer and solidification. Furthermore, no appreciable change is seen in the interface fluctuations on changing the frequency of EMS.