The flow pattern has widely been recognized to have an impact on the exogenous non-metallic inclusion generation in the gating system and mold flux entrapment in the uphill teeming process. Thus, a well-controlled flow pattern during the teeming process can improve the quality of ingots and further increase the yield during steel production. The current study focused on investigating and optimizing the flow pattern of steel in the gating system and molds to improve steel cleanliness during the initial filling moment. A mathematical model considering a trumpet was initially compared to a reduced model only considering part of the runner channel. Thereafter, the influence of swirl blades implemented at the bottom of the vertical runner on the improvement of initial filling conditions in the molds was investigated in a model considering the entire mold system including a trumpet. The effects of a swirl blade orientation on a swirling flow were further discussed. The simulation results, when utilizing swirl blades, were also verified by plant trials performed at Scana Steel. In addition, a new novel swirling flow generation component, TurboSwirl, was studied in a model considering the entire mold system including a trumpet. The model was based on modifications of the refractory geometry at the elbow of the runners near the mold without the usage of an inserted flow control device in the gating system. Owing to its great potential for improving the flow pattern of steel during the initial filling moment, the effect of TurboSwirl on steel cleanliness was also studied. The results showed that the initial filling conditions during the uphill teeming process can be improved by using a swirl blade or a TurboSwirl in the gating system. This makes it possible to further decrease the initial position of mold powder bags. In addition, it reduces the possibilities of exogenous non-metallic inclusion generation in the gating system as well as mold flux entrapment in the mold during the uphill teeming process. However, the utilization of swirl blades created a considerable amount of droplets when steel entered the molds during the first couple of seconds, which also was verified by the plant trials. The introduction of TurboSwirl showed a greater potential than a swirl blade due to a more evenly distributed swirling flow. The DPM model adopted in the simulations revealed that the TurboSwirl can improve steel cleanliness by increasing the non-metallic inclusion collision rate both with respect to Stokes and turbulent collisions. / <p>QC 20130204</p>

The purpose of this thesis has been to evaluate the use of a swirl blade in the uphill teeming process through plant trials. Two series of trials were carried out at Scana Steel Stavanger AS. In the trials a divergent entrance nozzle with a 62° outlet angle were used when casting duplex stainless steel on a base plate with two 6.2 tons ingots. All molds were burned onto the ingots; leading to problems with emptying the ingots from the molds and severe damages on the molds. To get a better insight during the casting and understand why the molds were burned onto the ingots; during the second series of trials one mold on each base plate were filmed in the beginning of the casting process. Evaluation of the castings indicated that splashing on the mold wall at an initial stage was one reason for the mold burned onto the ingot. Further, material samples were collected to evaluate the non-metallic inclusion composition and distribution with SEM when casting with a swirl blade compared to when casting without. The area percentage of the inclusions in the samples was 1% and 2% for samples casted with and without swirl blade respectively with d=2.8 mm. The inclusion size also varied for samples casted with and without swirl blade; 98% of the inclusions were in the size range of 0-10 μm when casted with and in the size range 0-20 μm when casted without swirl blade. / Syftet med denna uppsats har varit att utvärdera användningen av swirlblad i götgjutningsprocessen. Två serier med försök har utförts på Scana Steel Stavanger AS. I försöken användes en inloppssten med 62°-vinklat utlopp, där duplexa rostfria stål göts på stigplan med två 6,2 tons kokiller. Alla kokiller brände fast på göten, vilket ledde till svårigheter vid urtag av göten samt skador på kokillerna. För att få en bättre förståelse av varför kokillerna brände fast, filmades ett göt på vardera stigplan under den andra försöksserien. Utvärdering av försöken indikerar att en anledning till att kokillerna brände fast på göten var att det stänkte upp stål på kokillväggen i ett tidigt stadium. Vidare har materialprover samlats in för att utvärdera sammansättningen samt utspridningen av icke-metalliska inneslutningar i SEM då göt gjutits med swirlblad jämfört med utan. Area procenten i proverna var 1% och 2% då proverna gjutits med respektive utan swirlblad, med d=2.8 mm. Även storleken på inneslutningarna i prover som gjutits med och utan swirlblad skiljde sig åt, 98% av inneslutningarna var i storleksintervallet 0-10 μm för prover gjutna med swirlblad medan de som gjutits utan var i storleksintervallet 0-20 μm. / JK24053

Scania has experienced difficulties with large variations of the slope of the back plane after press quenching of case hardened crown wheels of especially type R780 Steg supplied from ingot cast material. This leads to that a large number of crown wheels has to be remeasured and sorted according to back slope which is time consuming for operators. Also, after sorting of the crown wheels, hard machining has to be adjusted according to the different slopes of the back plane of the crown wheels. In some cases, it also leads to scrapping of the crown wheels.This master’s thesis was divided in two parts. The aim of the first part was to confirm that the crown wheel type and casting technique that exhibits the largest variations in slope of the back plane is the R780 Steg originating from ingot cast material. The crown wheel types that were compared were the R780 Steg, R780 Slät and R885 Slät. Crown wheels manufactured from ingot cast material and from continuous cast material were compared. Hence, 6 combinations were examined. The slope of the back plane was measured with the measuring probe FARO after press quenching. The slope of the crown wheels was found to depend on both casting technique and the geometry of the crown wheel. The results confirmed that the crown wheel type and supplier combination that by far yields the largest variations in slope of the back plane is the R780 Steg supplied by Steel Plant A who uses the ingot casting technique. For this combination the variation exceeds 0,1 mm. All other combinations of crown wheels and suppliers yield acceptable variations.The second part of this master’s thesis was composed of determining if segregations in the cast ingot are the cause of the variations in slope of the back plane of the crown wheel type R780 Steg. This was done by measuring if there is a correlation between the slope of the back plane of the crown wheel after press quenching, the chemical composition and the original position of the crown wheel in the ingot. As in the first part of the study, the distortion was measured by the measuring probe FARO. The samples were sent to Degerfors Laboratorium for chemical analysis. Analyses of C, S and N were made by using combustion analyses. For As, P, B and Al optic spectrometry (spark) was used. All other elements were analysed by x-ray fluorescence. Segregations were found to be present and in combination with the geometry of R780 Steg to be the cause of the large variations in slope of the crown wheels.The results of this thesis show that, for the crown wheel type R780 Steg, Scania should not use suppliers that employ the ingot casting technique. Instead, only suppliers using the continuous casting technique should be used. However, for the other crown wheel types ingot or continuously cast material can be used.

The present study was carried out to investigate the formation and evolution of non-metallic inclusions during ingot casting. Emphasize have been on understanding the types of inclusions formed and developed through the casting process and on the development of already existing inclusions carried over from the ladle during casting. Industrial experiments carried on at Uddeholm Tooling together with laboratory work and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Ingots of 5.8 tons have been sampled and the types of inclusions together with their distribution within the ingot have been characterized. Two new types of inclusions have been found. Type C1 is found originated from casting powder and in the size from a few μm to 30 μm. Type C2 is of macro inclusion type sizing up to 70 μm. The presence of C2 inclusions are few but very detrimental for the quality of the steel. Both types, C1 and C2 consist of alumina, indicating that reoxidation is the main reason for their existence. The protecting argon shroud has been studied by the use of a 1:1 scaled 2D model. Both flow pattern and oxygen measurement have been carried out. CFD has also been used as an auxiliary tool. It has been found that the oxygen pickup through argon gas shroud depends mostly on the distance between the ladle and the collar placed on top of runner. Further increase of gas flow rate above 2.5 m3.h-1 had very little effect on the oxygen distribution since both the flushing effect and the entraining effect with respect to oxygen are enhanced by further increase of inert gas flow rate. In the case of dual gas inlet, the flow in the shroud was found much less diffused compared with either vertical or horizontal injection system. The oxygen content in this arrangement was also greatly reduced. Studies of the runner after casting revealed a sparse non-metallic network structure around the periphery of the steel rod remained in the runner. The surface of the refractory had been severely attacked by the mechanical force from the streaming steel. The erosions of the centre stone and the end stone were on the other hand negligible. CFD calculations showed that the flow at those locations is almost stagnant. The surface of the refractory in contact with the steel was found to have an increased content of alumina. The source for the alumina could come from either exchange reaction of dissolved aluminium replaces the silica or reoxidation products origin from oxygen pick up during the transfer from the ladle to the vertical runner. Inclusions were also found entrapped in the steel refractory interface. It was also found that a formation of a liquid slag film as early as possible during casting would increase the possibility to remove inclusions and especially inclusions generated by the casting powder. / QC 20100617

The flow pattern in the uphill teeming process has been found to be closely related to the quality of ingots and further to affect the yield of ingot production, which is crucial for the steel making process. The formation of non-metallic inclusion and entrapment of mold flux has been considered to be affected by the flow pattern in the gating system and molds by many previous researchers. The aim of this study is to investigate the flow pattern of steel in the gating system and molds during the initial filling stage. In addition, to study the utilization of swirl blade implemented at the bottom of the vertical runner on the improvement of initial filling condition in the mold. A three dimensional model of two molds gating system for 6.2 ton ingots from Scana Steel was adopted in the present work. A reduced geometry model including one mold and a runner, based on the method from previous researchers, was also used for comparison with the current more extensive model. Moreover, a reduced geometry model including one swirl blade and a runner was simulated to find effects of an increased-length vertical runner on the flow pattern improvement at the vertical runner outlet. Flow pattern, hump height and wall shear stress were respectively studied. A reduced geometry with homogenous inlet conditions fails to describe the fluctuating conditions present as the steel enters the mold. However, the trends are very similar when comparing the (hump height-surface height) evolution over time. The implementation of swirl blades gives a chaotic initial filling condition with a considerable amount of droplets being created when steel enters the molds during the first couple of seconds. However, a more calm filling condition with less fluctuation is achieved at the molds after a short while. Moreover, the orientation of the swirl blades affects he flow pattern of the steel. A proper placement of a swirl blade improves the initial filling conditions. The utilization of swirl blades might initially result in larger hump height. However, it gives fewer fluctuations as the casting proceeds. In the model without swirl blades, the maximum wall shear stress fluctuates with a descending trend as the filling proceeds. An implementation of swirl blades can decrease and stabilize the wall shear stress in the gating system. A special attention should be made in choosing refractory at the center stone, the horizontal runner near center stone and the vertical runner at the elbow. This is where the wall shear stress values are highest or where the exposure times are long. / QC 20120203

This thesis has been carried out as a development project at Scana Steel Björneborg with the purpose to study the influential parameters in argon shrouded ingot casting during the manufacturing of low-alloy steels. In the first stage, a literature study was conducted in order to investigate the theoretical background of the procedure and the importance of protecting the melt during ingot casting. Next, a computer model of the shield was designed using COMSOL Multiphysics® with regard to the process conditions at Scana Steel Björneborg. The effect of various parameters on the process was examined through simulations of the argon gas flow pattern, heat transfer between the gas and the melt stream, and the chemical species transport in the gas around the melt stream. Based on the simulation results, two different shapes of shield were proposed for the argon shrouding operation. A set of implementation tests was executed in order to check the installation and usage conditions of the two new shields. After deciding the proper shape of the shield, a full-scale ingot-casting test was performed with the selected shield to investigate the protection behavior. Moreover, the impact of the new casting-protection shield on the nitrogen and oxygen contents of steel was examined through sampling and analyzing the steel before and after casting. It was found that the use of the new shield during the uphill ingot casting is an effective way to reduce the final nitrogen and oxygen contents of the casted ingot. Therefore, the new design of the shield can be used as a developed substitute for the protection of the melt stream in the ingot casting operation.

Hardening distortions are unwanted changes in shape and dimension that arise during hardening of steel components. Uncontrolled distortions induce random errors to the manufacturing process, and have a strong negative impact on manufacturing costs. The distortions are not only caused by the hardening process, several factors from previous manufacturing steps including the component geometry itself contribute to varying extent. The aim of the current work is to investigate the main influencing factors on hardening distortions for serial produced gears. The investigations were done on two different types of gears for heavy-duty transmissions, crown wheels for the rear axle central gear and main shaft gears for the gearbox. The steel was produced using either continuous casting or ingot casting. For rectangular continuously cast steel, the effect of disabling magnetic stirring of the steel melt during casting was investigated, finding a strong reduction of gear runout for crown wheels. Segregations in crown wheels produced from the top and bottom of ingots were shown to go in opposite directions, producing opposite back-face tilts. For crown wheels quenched one at a time, influences of stacking level on the hardening tray were found, indicating an impact from small variations in the carburizing process, despite identical quenching conditions. For main shaft gears, horizontal loading gave considerably less roundness and runout errors but increased flatness errors compared to vertical loading. This thesis shows the complexity of the distortion phenomenon and how several factors interact and contribute to the final result. It is shown that factors with significant impact on hardening distortions for one component may be less important for another component. With this in mind, each type of component to be hardened should be produced by a manufacturing chain where each process step is carefully chosen with respect to minimizing distortions. / <p>QC 20170516</p>

Cette thèse traite de la modélisation et des méthodes numériques pour la simulation d'écoulements de fluides non-Newtoniens, et particulièrement, de matériaux granulaires. Une application de ce travail concerne les poudres de couverture utilisées pour protéger thermiquement le métal de l'air dans le procédé de coulée en source d'alliages métalliques. Ces poudres sont conditionnées dans des sacs disposés dans la lingotière, qui brûlent suite aux fortes chaleurs engendrées, et permettant son écoulement sur la surface du métal. Ainsi, la simulation numérique apparaît comme un puissant outil pour l'optimisation du procédé, et notamment, de l'étalement de ces poudres.Dans ce travail, une formulation éléments finis a été proposée pour modéliser l'écoulement multiphasique des matériaux granulaires dans un formalisme de la mécanique des milieux continus. Les équations associées sont résolues via des schémas numériques stabilisés, couplés avec la méthode Level-Set pour capturer et suivre le profil du matériau granulaire au cours de la simulation. Dans un premier temps, les outils numériques ont été testés sur des cas d'écoulements de fluides de Bingham, où les fortes non-linéarités sont traitées par une méthode de régularisation. Puis la formulation est étendue aux écoulements de granulaires secs, dont le comportement piezzo-dépendent est traduit par la loi mu(I). Le modèle a été validé sur des cas d'effondrement de colonnes de grains, et une étude de sensibilité aux conditions aux limites et constantes physiques du modèle est proposée.Enfin, des cas industriels de chutes de poudres sur substrats solide et métal fondu ont été menés, amenant à des premières pistes pour l'optimisation du procédé de coulée en lingotière. / This thesis is devoted to the modeling and numerical methods for the simulation of non-Newtonian flows, and focuses particularly on granular materials flows. This work is applied to molten powders aiming to ensure metal thermal protection from the air in ingot casting process of metallic alloys. These powders are conditionned into bags disposed into the mold, which burn due to high temperatures, and allowing the powder spreading onto the metal surface. Thus, numerical simulation appears as a powerful tool for the process optimization, and especially, for the powder spreading.In this work, a finite element formulation has been proposed for the modeling of granular multiphase flows, by a continuum approach. The associated equations are solved using stabilized numerical schemes, coupled with the Level-Set method to capture and follow the granular profile during the simulation. First, the numerical tools have been implemented for Bingham flows, by using regularization a method. Then, the formulation was extended to dry granular flows, by the use of the mu(I) rheology constitutive model for describing its pressure-dependent behavior. The model has been validated on granular collapses, and a sensitivity analysis to boundary conditions and physical constants has been proposed.Finally, industrial cases of powder chutes ontoboth solid and liquid metla substrates have been conducted, leading to preliminary solutions for the optimization of ingot casting process.