Author(s)

B. Šarler, R. Vertnik & G. Manojlović

Abstract

This paper introduces a physical model and a mesh-free computational procedure for simulation of coupled heat, mass and momentum transport in the continuous casting of steel. The governing equations are based on the mixture continuum formulation of the solid and the liquid phase. The model takes into account the pure liquid, nucleation and movement of the globulitic solid phase, formation of the rigid porous solid matrix, and complete solid. The zero-equation Prandtl mixing-length theory turbulence model is incorporated into the momentum equation. The domain and boundary of interest are divided into overlapping influence areas. On each of them, the fields are represented by the multiquadrics radial basis function collocation on a related sub-set of nodes. Time-stepping is performed in an explicit way. The governing equations are solved in its strong form, i.e. no integrations are performed. The polygonisation is not present and the method is practically independent on the problem dimension. The strategy for the interconnected solution of velocity, grain movement, pressure, and temperature fields is described in detail. The geometry discretisation of the Štore-Steel billet caster is presented. Keywords: billet casting, steel, solidification, turbulence, meshless method, local radial basis function collocation method, moving boundary problem, multiquadrics. 1 Introduction Continuous casting is currently the most common [1] casting practice in production of steel. The process involves molten metal being feed through a

Keywords

billet casting, steel, solidification, turbulence, meshless method, local radial basis function collocation method, moving boundary problem, multiquadrics.