Heat transfer and ingot temperature distribution analysis in semicontinuous copper casting process

The present investigation was carried out to define a numerical simulation for the semicontinuous copper casting process of circular section ingots. The physical aspect of the process consists essentially of the heat transfer between the forming ingot and the mould apparatus, during which there occurs a transformation in metal phase. The mathematical model consists of a second order partial differential equation solved using the method of finite differences, then the resulting non-linear system of algebraic equations was solved using an iterative method. Using the mathematical model developed in the present investigation, for various mould sizes and casting conditions, it is possible to evaluate temperature distribution in the ingot, the levels of heat flow through the mould wall and during secondary cooling, and the configuration of the liquid/solid interface. The results obtained in the present study were used for an overall verification of the mathematical model.