Abstract: The effects of casting speed and argon blowing volume on bubble distribution and flow field in the mould were analyzed by means of water modeling and numerical simulation. The results show that the casting speed increases from 1.0 m/min to 1.4 m/min, the heterogeneity of bubble diameter in the mould is reduced from 0.73 to 0.64, the bubble diameter distribution is more uniform, the maximum speed of the liquid steel on the upper surface increase from 0.09 m/s to 0.16 m/s.The argon blowing volume increases from 4.0 L/min to 8.0 L/min, the heterogeneity of bubble diameter in the crystallizer increases from 0.59 to 0.72, the non-uniformity of bubble diameter distribution is enhanced, the maximum velocity of liquid steel on the upper surface decreases from 0.14 m/s to 0.09 m/s.Under the condition of submergence depth of the SEN is 150 mm, the optimal process plan is casting speed of 1.2 m/min and argon blowing volume of 4.0 L/min,the research result can provide a theoretical basis for optimizing process parameters and improving the quality of casting.

Key words: continuous casting, water model experiment, numerical simulation, bubble distribution, mould flow field