Optimization of continuous casting process in steel manufacturing industry

Abstract

The continuous casting process is used for solidifying molten steel into semifinished steel. The technology for Secondary Cooling Zone (SCZ) is extremely important for output of casting machine and billet quality. Occurrences of internal defects e.g. edge cracks commonly known as diagonal cracks in the continuous cast product of steel Grade H is commonly related to the uniformity of the water flow rate control in SCZ. Design of Experiment, DOE is used in analyzing the parameters that influences the quality of the billet production; Secondary Zone 1st sector water flow rate, Secondary Zone 2nd sector water flow rate and Secondary Zone 3rd sector water flow rate. The optimum results are attained to achieve the best combination of parameters value to be used in continuous casting process. Keyword: diagonal cracks, DOE, secondary zone 1st sector water flow rate, secondary zone 2nd sector water flow rate, secondary zone 3rd sector water flow rate.