Effect of Electromagnetic Stirring on Molten Steel Flow and Solidification in Bloom Mold

The effect of electromagnetic stirring on molten steel flow and heat transfer in a 260 mm×300 mm bloom mold was investigated by using a method combining both finite element method and finite volume method. The simulation results related to magnetic fields were consistent with the onsite measured data. The magnetic flux density increased with increasing the current intensity but decreased with increasing the current frequency. Electromagnetic stirring caused molten steel to flow with rotation on a horizontal section and two sets of recirculation regions with opposite reflow directions in a longitudinal section formed. The maximum tangential velocity increased with increasing the current intensity and frequency. Furthermore, the superheat degree of the molten steel on the outlet cross section of the mold decreased with increasing the current intensity. Electromagnetic stirring caused the emergence of a zero growth zone of solidified shell in the effective stirring zone. For the 260 mm × 300 mm bloom continuous caster of bearing steel, the appropriate values of current intensity and current frequency of electromagnetic stirring were found to be 300 A and 3 Hz, respectively.