{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.0088, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.28643216080402, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Factors Affecting Solidification of Steel in the Mould during Continuous Casting of Steel Billets

Casting of steel is an operation which is sensitive to a number of factors. It should be performed with great control and steadiness in such a way to produce safe casting operation and sound steel mechanical properties, and ensure a continuous process with limited delays. In this study, effects of factors encountered in the process of continuous casting of steel billets on the thickness of solidified steel layer in the mould area were mathematically modeled in order to identify the most predominant ones. Of these factors modeled are mould thickness, mould material thermal conductivity and molten steel superheat. Simplified calculation were performed in which heat transfer equations governing the process solidification were solved using an explicit method of finite difference technique. The results showed that the most effective factor on solidified steel thickness in the mould is the magnitude of molten steel superheat prior to entering the mould. Thermal conductivity of mould material showed little effect due to the small thickness of mould wall. Changing mould thickness showed some effect of solidification but were not significant.