Analysis of ingot temperature field in continuous casting of copper

A mathematical model of the ingot temperature field in the continuous casting of copper and other pure metals is presented. The finite-difference method is applied and the difference equations are derived by the elementary energy balances method. An axially symmetrical two-dimensional temperature field in the cast metal and the die is considered. The model takes into account the creation of a gap between the cast metal and the die and a complex heat transfer in the gap. An experimental verification of the mathematical model shows good agreement between the calculated and measured results. The influence of convection in liquid metal and of some technological parameters on the temperature field and the freezing-front shape are analysed. The possibility of a practical utilization of the formulated mathematical model is discussed.