On the detection and behaviour of second phase particles in steel melts

The behaviour of second phase particles in molten steel processing vessels was investigated, using the E.S.Z. (Electric Sensing Zone) method, in conjunction with aqueous modelling and molten steel systems.1. Slag droplet entrainment/dispersion is an axisymmetric gas injection stirred system was investigated: A tank containing a water-olive oil simulation of stirred ladles of molten steel was used. Extensive numerical predictions of the oil (slag) droplet population distributions within the vessel were also carried out, and reasonable agreement with the experimental data achieved. Droplet dispersions were shown to be time and spatially dependent.2. Inclusion separation characteristics in tundishes of continuous steel casting operations were investigated. The mixed reactor model proved to be adequate for predicting particle separation behaviour, proved that the effective upper surface area of the dispersed plug flow region is known, a priori.3. An on-line method for the detection and measurement of inclusions in molten steel systems was developed. Inclusion removal rates within an induction furnace, as well as inclusion separation behaviour in a commercial scale tundish for continuous billet casting, were measured