The influence of SEN structure on the flow and solidification phenomena in ultra-large-section beam blank mould

Due to the complex cross-section and scale effects, surface and internal defects are prone to occur in the ultra-large-section beam blank. In this study, a coupled model of steel liquid flow and heat transfer within a 1300 × 510 × 140 mm cross-section beam blank mould was established. The results indicate that single-port SEN reduced the flow activity on the meniscus, and the three-ports SEN led to significant high temperature zones and re-melting of the solidified shell in the flange tip and web. The four-ports nozzle not only optimizes the internal flow behavior of the mould but also enhances the uniformity of temperature and solidification. The maximum circumferential difference in shell thickness under the four-ports SEN was only 8.1 mm, compared to 13.2 mm and 13.8 mm under the single-port and three-ports SEN, respectively.