Application of Open Source CFD Tools for Swedish Steel Society

Purpose and goal

In summary, the project goals were: 1) Development and building of essential competence to initiate open source modelling for iron and steel making industry through application of OpenFOAM software. 2) Streaming of the knowledge exchange between the “Fluid Dynamics” group at Chalmers University and the “Casting and Flow Simulation” group at MEFOS. 3) Using MEFOS expertise (process knowledge) and “Fluid Dynamics” group at Chalmers University (open source CFD knowledge) to develop an alternative OpenFOAM model applicable to CC at a fraction of the cost of existing FLUENT models.

Expected results and effects

In summary the project led to: 1) Enhanced competence of PNJ in OpenFOAM and open source numerical modelling. 2) 2D and 3D Continuous Casting (CC) models in OpenFOAM capable of predicting coupled phenomena and transient meniscus behavior. 3) Possible future collaboration between Swerea MEFOS and Department of “Mechanics and Maritime Sciences” at Chalmers University through joint projects and exchange of students and researches. 4) The developed model led to a recently approved Hugo Carlssons project funded by Jernkontoret in collaboration with SMT for 850 KSEK.

Planned approach and implementation

According to the project proposal, the project is based on series of visits by PNJ from Swerea MEFOS from Department of “Mechanics and Maritime Sciences” at Chalmers University under supervision of Prof. HN. In total, PNJ visited Chalmers University for seven times during the project time frame where the details of each visit and planned activities are described in the following sections. HN also visited Swerea MEFOS in Luleå to present the numerical and physical modelling activities performed at “Mechanics and Maritime Sciences” Department in Chalmers University.