Journal of Materials Research and Technology (May 2023)
Dual optimization of the geometric design and inductor parameters of the induction heating tundish based on numerical simulations
Abstract
Based on the application of electromagnetism and hydrodynamics in metallurgy, the selection of the number of inductors as well as the direction of inductor current access is investigated for channel-type induction heating (IH) tundish with dual-channel (D-Ch), three-channel (T-Ch) and four-channel (F-Ch) tundish designs. The results show that when a single inductor is used, the Joule heat power (JHP) and electromagnetic force (EMF) are essentially the same within the two channels of the D-Ch tundish, but in the T-Ch tundish and the F-Ch tundish, the JHP and EMF of channel No.1 (Ch1) is much larger than other channels, which is extremely asymmetric. This will further be reflected in the influence on the flow and temperature consistency of the molten steel in the tundish. When a single inductor is used in the T-Ch or F-Ch tundish, the molten steel flow velocity in Ch1 is 4.2 and 7.4 times higher than that in the symmetric channel, respectively, and the temperature difference at the symmetric strand can be as high as 11 K or more. However, the maximum flow velocity of the molten steel in Ch1 and channel No.2 (Ch2) of the D-Ch tundish is 0.21 and 0.19 m⋅s−1, respectively, and the maximum temperature difference at the symmetrical strand is only 2.3 K. For the tundish with double inductors, the influence of the direction of the access current of the inductors should be taken into account. The inductors of a D-Ch tundish can effectively heat the molten steel only by accessing the same direction current. The physical fields in the intermediate and side channels are significantly different when the same or opposite current is accessed to the dual inductors of T-Ch tundish. The temperature rise rate of the molten steel is 36% higher when the dual inductors of the F-Ch tundish are accessed to the opposite current than when they are accessed to the same current. Therefore, a D-Ch design should be used for the channel-type tundish with a single inductor. And for the channel-type tundish with dual inductors, the same direction current should be accessed under the D-Ch design, and the opposite current should be accessed under the F-Ch design.
