抄録
A mathematical model was developed to simulate fluid flow/heat transfer phenomena in a proposed configuration for a single-belt caster. The main goal of the research was to evaluate the flow modifications yielded by the insertion of a flow modifier in the computational domain. This paper deals in particular with the influence of some empirical parameters in the model predictions.The most important inputs for the mathematical model were found to be the interfacial heat transfer coefficient h and the morphology constant C. These two parameters, in addition to the numerical treatment for turbulence, had a remarkable influence on the model's outputs. A very high value of C generates strong dampening of velocities within the interdendritic, mushy zone. This leads to predictions of premature solid shell growth within the extended metal delivery zone, leading to too thick a solid shell and too thin a mushy zone at the end of the computational domain. As for the instantaneous heat transfer coefficient, h, an attempt was made to predict its transient characteristics using an experimental simulator. This equipment mimics metal deposition on a substrate moving at the same velocity as an industrial belt (∼0.5–1 m/s). Comparisons of predictions made on the basis of different schemes for the variation in h are reported. The importance of an accurate prediction for the way h varies, in terms of the belt's required cooling length, is stressed.
