“Power curve” key factor affecting metallurgical effects of an induction heating tundish

The key to acquire good metallurgical effects with induction heating tundish is to understand the flow field, temperature field and the movement of inclusions in the tundish with different induction heating power curves. Based on the production of a factory, this work established a multi-field coupling mathematical model to find out the link between the heating power curve and the metallurgical effects of the tundish. The results indicated that the heating efficiency of an induction heating tundish not only was affected by the heating power, but also related to the flow and temperature field in the tundish. When the induction heater was used intermittently and the induction heater was turned on, the molten steel was controlled by electromagnetic force, and the flow field basically remained stable. However, when the induction heater was turned off, the velocity of molten steel got small, and the thermal buoyancy could greatly change the flow, forming short-circuit flow; besides, large number of inclusions suddenly escaped from the outlet of the tundish. When the molten steel was heated continuously, the flow field, temperature field and inclusions behavior remained basically unchanged. Considering both energy saving and maintaining good metallurgical effects, continuous heating (the power increasing stepwise over time) should be selected.