9th ECCC European Continuous Casting Conference – ECCC 2017

Electromagnetics is a well-established method to control steel flow patterns in the (slab) casting process. Improvements of process stability, surface and subsurface quality for a variety of casting conditions have been widely reported with the use of mold electromagnetic devices. Building on the success and flexibility of the braking and stirring capabilities of the FC Mold, a supplementary fiber optical temperature measurement system is implemented in one broad face of a slab caster at TATA Steel Europe IJmuiden, aiming to develop the OptiMold monitoring system. Utilizing state of the art Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technology, high resolution visualization of the status of the entire slab surface condition is achieved using 2660 temperature measurements distributed over the top half of a broad face mold plate. Using data from more than a year of robust operation, the OptiMold Monitor shows potential to extend accuracy, functionality and performance of conventional thermocouple systems in monitoring local thermal effects. Meniscus shape, flow pattern and speed as well as meniscus asymmetry can additionally be estimated by means of data analysis software. This unlocks potential for dynamic mold flow control where the fiber optical sensor system, undisturbed in electromagnetic fields, is connected in a closed-loop to the FC Mold. Enabling control of steel flow conditions close to the meniscus in a safe, automated solution with direct bearing on steel quality and cleanliness over the entire range of casting conditions in a modern continuous caster.