Channel parameter optimization of one-strand slab induction heating tundish with double channels

A generalized three-dimensional mathematical model is built to study the influences of channel parameters (channel angle, channel section diameter, and channel distance) on the molten steel flow, heat transfer, and inclusion removal in the induction heating tundish. The results demonstrate that as the channel angle increases, the flow of molten steel in the discharging chamber gradually slows down. When the channel angle is 6°, the temperature of the discharging chamber is slightly lower than when the channel angles are 2° and 4°. When the channel angle is 2°, the inclusion removal rate is lower than when the channel angles are 4° and 6°, while the latter two have little difference. As the channel section diameter increases, the flow of molten steel in the discharging chamber gradually slows down. When the channel section diameter is 100 mm, the temperature distribution in the discharging chamber is uneven. While the temperature distributions of the discharging chamber are even and similar, when the channel section diameters are 150 and 200 mm. As the channel section diameter increases, the removal rate of inclusion gradually decreases. The variation of channel distance has little effect on the temperature distribution of the discharging chamber. When the channel distance is 600 mm, the removal rate of inclusion is lower than when the channel distances are 1,000 and 1,400 mm. Moreover, for the latter two, the removal rates of inclusions have little difference. For this model, the best channel angle is 4°, the best channel section diameter is 150 mm, and the best channel distance is 1,000 mm.