Title: Physical Modelling of Nitrogen Variation in Continuously Cast Blooms Resulting from Atmospheric Exposure of Steel in Tundish during Initial Stages of Teeming
Abstract: Exposure of liquid steel to air, consequent re-oxidation as well as nitrogen absorption are common in steelmaking and produce unacceptable variations in product chemistry. The phenomena, during continuous casting of the lead or first heat, have been investigated in a full-scale water model of a two-strand, bloom casting shroud-tundish system. Physical modelling results supported by industrial scale measurements have demonstrated that exposure of liquid steel to tundish atmosphere during initial period of ladle teeming and consequent nitrogen absorption, manifest over substantial period, influencing predominantly the first three blooms.