Mesoscopic Fluid-Particle Flow and Vortex Structural Transmission in a Submerged Entry Nozzle of Continuous Caster

Understanding the essence of the flow oscillations within a submerged-entry nozzle (SEN) is essential to control flow patterns in the continuous casting mold and consequently increase the superficial quality of steel products. A numerical study of the mesoscopic fluid-particle flow in a bifurcated p...

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Main Authors: Peng Zhao, Rongxun Piao, Zongshu Zou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-03-01
Series:Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/15/7/2510
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author Peng Zhao
Rongxun Piao
Zongshu Zou
author_facet Peng Zhao
Rongxun Piao
Zongshu Zou
author_sort Peng Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Understanding the essence of the flow oscillations within a submerged-entry nozzle (SEN) is essential to control flow patterns in the continuous casting mold and consequently increase the superficial quality of steel products. A numerical study of the mesoscopic fluid-particle flow in a bifurcated pool-type SEN under steady operating conditions is conducted using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) coupled with the large eddy simulation (LES) model. The accuracy of the model has been verified by comparing vortex structures and simulated velocities with published experimental values. The LBM modeling is also verified by comparing the “stair-step” jet patterns observed in the experiment. The geometrical parameters and operational conditions of physical experiments are reproduced in the simulations. By comparing the time-averaged velocities of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations (RANS) with LBM models, transient mesoscopic fluid-particles and related vortex structures can be better reproduced within the SEN. The visualization of internal flow within the SEN is illustrated through the mass-less Discrete Phase Model (DPM) model. The trajectories show that the LBM–LES–DPM coupled model is good at predicting the transient vortical flow within the SEN. A large vortex is found inside the exit port and continuously changes in shape and size therein. The monitoring points and lines within the SEN are selected to illustrate the velocity variations and effective viscosity, which can reflect the oscillating characteristics even under stable operating conditions without changes at the exit from the SEN. Furthermore, the formation, development, diffusion, and dissipation of the vortex structures from the exit port of the SEN are also investigated using the <i>Q</i> criteria. The comparison of the power spectrum with high-frequency components along the exit port indicates that the flow oscillations must originate from within the SEN and are intensified in the exit port. The mesoscopic LBM model can replicate the fluid-particle flow and vortex structure transmission as well as their turbulence effects inside the SEN in detail.
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spelling doaj.art-d7687bf91e6f4dbb8240515eb97db2d52023-11-30T23:33:08ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442022-03-01157251010.3390/ma15072510Mesoscopic Fluid-Particle Flow and Vortex Structural Transmission in a Submerged Entry Nozzle of Continuous CasterPeng Zhao0Rongxun Piao1Zongshu Zou2School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, ChinaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, ChinaSchool of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, ChinaUnderstanding the essence of the flow oscillations within a submerged-entry nozzle (SEN) is essential to control flow patterns in the continuous casting mold and consequently increase the superficial quality of steel products. A numerical study of the mesoscopic fluid-particle flow in a bifurcated pool-type SEN under steady operating conditions is conducted using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) coupled with the large eddy simulation (LES) model. The accuracy of the model has been verified by comparing vortex structures and simulated velocities with published experimental values. The LBM modeling is also verified by comparing the “stair-step” jet patterns observed in the experiment. The geometrical parameters and operational conditions of physical experiments are reproduced in the simulations. By comparing the time-averaged velocities of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations (RANS) with LBM models, transient mesoscopic fluid-particles and related vortex structures can be better reproduced within the SEN. The visualization of internal flow within the SEN is illustrated through the mass-less Discrete Phase Model (DPM) model. The trajectories show that the LBM–LES–DPM coupled model is good at predicting the transient vortical flow within the SEN. A large vortex is found inside the exit port and continuously changes in shape and size therein. The monitoring points and lines within the SEN are selected to illustrate the velocity variations and effective viscosity, which can reflect the oscillating characteristics even under stable operating conditions without changes at the exit from the SEN. Furthermore, the formation, development, diffusion, and dissipation of the vortex structures from the exit port of the SEN are also investigated using the <i>Q</i> criteria. The comparison of the power spectrum with high-frequency components along the exit port indicates that the flow oscillations must originate from within the SEN and are intensified in the exit port. The mesoscopic LBM model can replicate the fluid-particle flow and vortex structure transmission as well as their turbulence effects inside the SEN in detail.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/15/7/2510fluid-particle flowsubmerged entry nozzlecontinuous castinglattice Boltzmann methodlarge eddy simulationvortex structures
spellingShingle Peng Zhao
Rongxun Piao
Zongshu Zou
Mesoscopic Fluid-Particle Flow and Vortex Structural Transmission in a Submerged Entry Nozzle of Continuous Caster
Materials
fluid-particle flow
submerged entry nozzle
continuous casting
lattice Boltzmann method
large eddy simulation
vortex structures
title Mesoscopic Fluid-Particle Flow and Vortex Structural Transmission in a Submerged Entry Nozzle of Continuous Caster
title_full Mesoscopic Fluid-Particle Flow and Vortex Structural Transmission in a Submerged Entry Nozzle of Continuous Caster
title_fullStr Mesoscopic Fluid-Particle Flow and Vortex Structural Transmission in a Submerged Entry Nozzle of Continuous Caster
title_full_unstemmed Mesoscopic Fluid-Particle Flow and Vortex Structural Transmission in a Submerged Entry Nozzle of Continuous Caster
title_short Mesoscopic Fluid-Particle Flow and Vortex Structural Transmission in a Submerged Entry Nozzle of Continuous Caster
title_sort mesoscopic fluid particle flow and vortex structural transmission in a submerged entry nozzle of continuous caster
topic fluid-particle flow
submerged entry nozzle
continuous casting
lattice Boltzmann method
large eddy simulation
vortex structures
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/15/7/2510
work_keys_str_mv AT pengzhao mesoscopicfluidparticleflowandvortexstructuraltransmissioninasubmergedentrynozzleofcontinuouscaster
AT rongxunpiao mesoscopicfluidparticleflowandvortexstructuraltransmissioninasubmergedentrynozzleofcontinuouscaster
AT zongshuzou mesoscopicfluidparticleflowandvortexstructuraltransmissioninasubmergedentrynozzleofcontinuouscaster