Influence of Argon Gas Flow Parameters in the Slot Plug on the Flow Behavior of Molten Steel in a Gas-Stirred Ladle

A mathematical model of argon gas flow in a slot plug was developed to investigate the flow parameters of the argon gas at the exit of the slot plug. Gas compressibility and the heat transfer between argon gas and the plug have been considered in the model. The simulated velocity and density of argon gas at the plug exit were different from the calculated results obtained in previous studies. Velocity measurements of the argon gas at the exit verified the simulated results. Another mathematical model of argon gas stirring in a ladle with velocities and densities of the injected argon gas at the plug exit from the simulation and previous studies was established. The results of the model of argon gas stirring showed that the velocity and density of the argon gas at the plug exit affect the simulated results of the velocity of molten steel and the uniformity of the velocity distribution of the molten steel.