1996 Volume 82 Issue 6 Pages 498-503
A new process was devised for promoting inclusion separation from the molten steel in the tundish. The process utilizes electromagnetic force to rotate molten steel in a cylindrical tundish. The centrifugal force caused by the rotational flow promotes separation of inclusions. This tundish is referred to as the Centrifugal Flow Tundish (the CF tundish).
Industrial plant tests carried out at Chiba works showed that the CF tundish has an excellent deoxidation performance estimated at 0.17-0.25 min-1 as deoxidation rate constant.
The mechanism of inclusion separation in the CF tundish is also discussed. Centripetal force and large turbulence energy caused by rotational flow accelerate inclusion separation. Furthermore, residence time distribution of molten steel in a tundish is improved and it promotes slag removal during ladle exchange.
This process is successfully used in commercial production of stainless steel slabs with high quarity.
