CD Laboratory for Metallurgical Applications of Magnetohydrodynamics

In metallurgy, many new processes are currently introduced by trial-and-error due to a lack of process understanding. This CD Laboratory attempts to systematically close knowledge gaps and thus enable fundamental innovation.

The use of electromagnetic fields is widespread in industrial processes, particularly in the metallurgical industry. The interaction between the fluids involved (metallic melts, molten salts, plasmas and electrolyte solutions) and electromagnetic fields leads to the so-called Lorentz force and electrical induction. A corresponding overall view of this interaction is known as magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Precise knowledge of the MHD of a metallurgical process makes it possible to directly influence the details of the process. Important examples of this are inductive melting, stirring and pumping, stabilisation of melts, free surfaces and interfaces, as well as magnetic levitation, i.e. free floating of electrically conductive fluids. Despite its importance, due to a lack of quantitative understanding, new MHD aggregates in industry are often introduced on the basis of costly experimental trials, i.e. a process is developed from laboratory experiments, via trials on pilot plants, to implementation in industrial production according to the trial-and-error principle. This CD Laboratory is now attempting to scientifically describe selected metallurgical processes and thus optimise them in a structured manner. MHD technologies are already used as standard in the Austrian metallurgical industry. However, further innovations are only possible if these technologies are better scientifically analysed and if partly contradictory experimental observations can be understood and controlled. The focus here is on modelling the effect of electromagnetic braking in thin slab casting, metal refining using MHD and the MHD of the electric arc furnace. For this purpose, modern, computer-aided methods are coupled with the description of the physics of solidification and MHD and existing numerical approaches are extended and applied to the corresponding industrial processes.