Mathematical modeling of nickel behaviour in the liquid steel flowed through the one strand tundish

Purpose: The continuous steel casting (CSC) technology is a dynamically developing method for obtaining steel semi-finished product in the form of a continuous casting slabs, blooms and billets. During the course of the CSC process, the liquid form of steel offers a possibility of introducing alloy additions to adjust the chemical composition or modify the non-metallic inclusions. The aim of the tests was to verify the degree of chemical homogenization of the steel after the addition of nickel.Design/methodology/approach: The device under examination is a wedge-shaped single-nozzle tundish of a capacity of 30 Mg. Computer simulation of the liquid steel flow and alloy addition behaviour in turbulent motion conditions was done using the Ansys-Fluent computer program. Due to the complexity of alloy addition dissolution and dispersion in metallurgical processes, a decision was made to use the Species Model available within the Ansys-Fluent program. Findings: The computer simulation produced a picture of the flow of liquid steel and the spread of nickel within the liquid steel volume. To illustrate the chemical homogenization process spatially and in a greater detail, the Ni diffusion process was monitored at selected measurement points situated in the tundish working space region.Research limitations/implications: Numerical model not include melting process of alloy addition.Practical implications: The results from numerical simulation could be use to elaborate a method of controlled alloy addition feeding to the liquid steel during continuous steel casting process.Originality/value: The paper present results of alloy addition mixing process in the liquid steel flowed through the continuous casting slab tundish.