Water cooling during the start-up phase of the cast is one of the major parameters which affects casting performance, along with heat input (casting speed, metal temperature), and primary and bottom block cooling. Water cooling depends on the ingot surface finish and temperature, the casting parameters (water flow rate and temperature, mould technology) and water quenching ability. This paper describes the method used to determine the heat transfer coefficients for some of the above parameters (surface temperature, water flow rate and temperature, pulsation characteristics). The influence of the casting parameters on ingot thermal response is then predicted using Alcan's finite volume transient casting model, with the purpose of better understanding and controlling the D.C. casting process.
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