The Effect of Thermophysical Parameters on Temperature Distribution in the Primary Cooling Zone

The values of thermophysical properties obtained from the experimental research, and those that were calculated with thermodynamic databases, are crucial parameters which were used in the numerical modelling of the steel solidification process. This paper presents the results of research on the impact of specific heat and enthalpy, along with the method of their implementation, on temperature distribution in the primary cooling zone in the continuous steel casting process. A cast slab – with dimensions of 1100 mm and 220 mm and a S235 steel grade – was analysed. A mould with a submerged entry nozzle (SEN), based on the actual dimensions of the slab continuous casting machine, was implemented. The research problem was solved with the finite element method using the ProCAST software package. Simulations were conducted using the “THERMAL + FLOW” module.