Presented at the 4th European Continuous Casting Conference Oct.

14-16, 2002 in Birmingham, UK

ON THE EFFECT OF LIQUID STEEL FLOW PATTERN ON SLAB QUALITY AND THE NEED FOR DYNAMIC ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTROL IN THE MOLD. Siebo Kunstreich and Pierre H. Dauby (x) Danieli Rotelec, Paris Bagnolet, France -

(x)

Formerly with LTV Steel, Cleveland, USA.

1. INTRODUCTION This paper addresses surface/subsurface quality (slivers, pipe, pinholes, blowholes, inclusion content) and diversion rate (slab casting abnormality codes) of products cast on high or lowthroughput thick slab machines. Examples from LTV, NKK and TKS pertaining to curved-mold and vertical/bending casters will be reviewed which make apparent the paramount effect of steel flow stability and steel flow pattern in the mold on defect occurrence. The first conclusion, which pertains mostly to slow-speed or wide-slab machines, is that creating or maintaining a stable double-roll flow is key to eliminating slab defects. The second conclusion, relating mostly to high-speed casters, is that the intensity of the double-roll flow pattern must not be excessive. With this in mind, the efficiency of an existing versatile electromagnetic-based technology that allows accelerating, slowing down and stirring the liquid steel was examined. The analysis shows good response of the liquid steel to various imposed magnetic fields, presents corresponding slab/coil quality improvements, and demonstrates the relevance of the proposed hydrodynamic and metallurgical concepts. 2. THE MOLD FLOW PATTERN CONCEPT Single Roll and Flow Instabilities as Causes of Steel Defects It is now well established that steel flow pattern obtained from conventional bifurcated SENs in slab caster molds is not of any sort (1 - 6). It can be single or double-roll, with high speeds, narrow widths, low argon flows, deep SENs and steep angles promoting double-roll flow. Little known is the effect of steel flow pattern on steel quality. In a paper presented in Madrid in 1998 (1), TKS-Dortmund/Amepa indicated that slabs cast during a double-roll flow pattern in the mould were identified to be less frequently defective in comparison to the average production of the caster. The study was referring to fine scale sliver-type defects on non-stabilized LCAK steel grades. The slabs were very wide (2700 x 220 mm) and typically cast at 1.00 m/min with a 15 downward SEN and 8-10 l/min argon. The study sadly concluded that under the existing casting conditions, the single-roll flow was the dominant pattern for all SEN designs. In 2000, the results of a 4-year research project conducted at LTV Steel with PIV and MFC measurements were published in great detail (Particle Image Velocimetry in the Technology Center water models and electromagnetic-based steel velocity measurements in the ClevelandEast curved-mold caster 2, 3). Two conclusions were: Steel quality is directly related to steel flow stability: unstable flows typically generate four times more defects than stable flows (3). Pencil pipe rejections on ULC titanium-stabilized grades are directly related to steel flow pattern (2): single-roll flow leads to significantly more defects than double-roll flow.

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Presented at the 4th European Continuous Casting Conference Oct. 14-16, 2002 in Birmingham, UK

New, unpublished data from LTV Steel Indiana Harbor Works offer an opportunity to confirm and sharpen these conclusions in an extended range of casting speeds and slab widths (Table I). The numbers were generated using nail board measurements to determine the steel flow pattern in the mold of the Indiana Harbor No. 2 machine that was revamped to vertical/bending in April 2000 (7, 8). The analysis was prompted by unexpected instances of pencil pipe defects although all defective slabs had been cast under the same steady casting conditions.
Event No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. SEN Depth (mm) 144 127 127 162 142 144 155 162 144 165 155 150 152 173 157 173 137 162 111 111 122 122 109 122 137 137 137 137 122 Casting Speed (m/min) 1.16 1.65 1.65 1.65 1.50 1.47 1.57 1.52 1.16 1.14 1.16 1.27 1.35 1.16 1.52 1.65 1.19 1.04 1.14 1.14 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.14 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 Argon Flow (l/min) 20.4 9.6 9.6 8.5 9.6 25.5 26.9 30.3 31.7 19.8 31.7 15.8 19.8 20.4 19.8 28.3 18.7 14.7 18.4 18.4 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 17.0 17.0 17.0 17.0 17.0 Slab Width (mm) 1168 1397 1397 1422 1422 1422 1422 1422 1422 1448 1448 1525 1525 1525 1575 1575 1600 1727 1778 1778 1879 1879 1879 1879 2133 2133 2133 2133 2133 Flow Pattern Single ; Double S D D D/S D D D D S D D/S D/S D S/D S S/D S D S S/D S S S S S S S S S

Table I Industrial (nail board) data show that steel flow pattern/stability depends on slab width, argon flow rate, casting speed and SEN immersion depth.

The data clearly confirm the effect of the various casting parameters described above: each event, except one, is explainable line by line considering slab width, casting speed, argon flow and SEN depth. Interestingly, the comparison of events 2-3 and 21-24 shows that slabs cast at same throughput, same argon and same SEN depth, had different flow patterns, with the narrower slabs being double-roll and the wider slabs being single-roll. In more general terms, Fig. 1 shows that slow speeds and wide widths promote single-roll, independently from machine throughput. Again, flow pattern was found to affect steel quality: the six pencil-pipe defective slabs that occurred at Indiana Harbor during the first year of operation (although of much less

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Presented at the 4th European Continuous Casting Conference Oct. 14-16, 2002 in Birmingham, UK

14 12 Number of casts 10 8 6 4 2 0 1.1-1.2

Double roll Single roll

Number of casts

7 Double roll 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Single roll

1.3-1.5 Casting speed [m/min]

1.5-1.65

1170-1450 1525-1730 1780-1880 Slab width [mm]

2135

Fig. 1 Slow casting speeds and wide slab widths promote single-roll flow pattern in the mold (nail board measurements; 23 dippings; 1170/2135-mm wide, 260-mm thick slabs; 1.10/1.65 m/min; 110/165-mm SEN depth; 8/30 l/min argon). LTV data.

100 Frequency of defective coils [% ]

100

Frequency of defective coils [% ]

80

80

60

60

40

40

20

20

Pencil pipe severity rating Double roll Single roll

Double roll

Pencil pipe severity rating Single roll, unstable, unidentified

Fig. 2 Left-hand side; curved mold machine: single-roll flow pattern increases pencil pipe defects in frequency and severity (36 defective coils; 1850-mm wide, 230-mm thick slabs; 1.0 m/min; 6.5 l/min argon). Right-hand side; vertical/bending machine: of the six defective slabs, all were single-roll (1880/2135-mm wide, 260-mm thick slabs; 1.17 m/min; 10/17 l/min argon). LTV data.

100 Thickness (mm) 80

DOUBLE ROLL FLOW

Thickness (mm)
Mold Powder

100 80 60 40 20

SINGLE ROLL FLOW

60
Liquid Mold Flux

Mold Powder
Liquid Liquid Mold Mold Flux Flux

40 20 0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 Steel

Steel

0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 Distance From Narrow Face (mm)

Distance From Narrow Face (mm)

Fig. 3 Identification of steel flow pattern with nail board measurements. In the double-roll pattern, steel hits first the narrow faces and creates a standing wave that locally reduces molten slag layer thickness. In the single-roll pattern, steel is first lifted to the meniscus and molten slag layer thickness is reduced in the vicinity of the SEN. LTV data.

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Presented at the 4th European Continuous Casting Conference Oct. 14-16, 2002 in Birmingham, UK

severity than those observed in the Cleveland curved-mold machine study) were all cast in single-roll flow conditions (Fig. 2). Fig. 3 which describes the impact of steel flow pattern on steel meniscus profile, may explain why double-roll leads to fewer defects than single-roll flows. Single-roll flow directs steel upwards from the SEN to the meniscus and narrow faces. Typically it will push mold powder, argon bubbles and inclusions to the narrow faces, which will result in a lack of lubrication around the SEN and a preferential accumulation of inclusions and bubbles in the edges of the slabs (9, 10). Maintaining a "stable" single-roll flow is difficult: for given casting speed and slab width, it requires high argon flows and shallow SEN immersion depths - two conditions that promote slag emulsification (11), pulsating meniscus velocities and do not reduce meniscus velocities, nor mold level fluctuations. In contrast, a double-roll flow that maintains the steel flow deep until it hits on the narrow faces and splits into two loops will more typically weaken the steels momentum and result in a relatively slower downward steel stream. A potential negative effect of the double flow pattern is thinning of the molten slag layer near the narrow faces and powder shearing along the meniscus if high narrow-face standing waves and excessive steel meniscus velocities are generated. However, hyperactive double-roll flow situations can easily be mastered by electromagnetic forces, as will be described in section 4.

3. FLOW INSTABILITIES Transitioning Flows and Transient Casting Operations as Causes of Instabilities Several instances of transient casting conditions, such as ladle, tundish, SEN tube, SEN depth, slab width, or casting speed changes are well known from the operating and quality control personnel. Accordingly, in each steel company, comprehensive lists of slab abnormalities have been developed and used to redirect/downgrade coded slabs. Generally, the number of slabs that are diverted after each transient event is determined by cause-and-effect analysis; strictly, it should be based on the time necessary for the steel flow to stabilize again after a transient operation (4 minutes after a casting speed change (1), 15 minutes after a tundish change (1), 35 seconds after a slide gate plate movement (12)). Always the number of slabs affected by transient casting conditions represents several percents of the annual production of a caster and should not be overlooked. Little known is the fact that, depending on casting conditions, the steel flow can establish itself somewhere between single and double-roll. At that point, the steel flow becomes steadily unstable unsuspected by the operating and quality control personnel! Events 11 thru 16 in Table I are such examples of unfortunate combinations of speeds, widths, depths and argon flows. The observation is critical as, very often, the cause/origin of a coil defect cannot be found. It is as if the defect did occur during "stable" casting conditions. While this should indicate that the defect is the result of an intrinsic process flaw (like an inadequate steel flow pattern), it is interesting to observe that mold flow pattern that combines all casting conditions into one single parameter can correlate well with defects (2, 3).

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Presented at the 4th European Continuous Casting Conference Oct. 14-16, 2002 in Birmingham, UK

Meniscus Temperature Increase [C]

6 4

2 0
900

1800

2700

Fig. 4 The EMLA mode promotes heat transfer to the meniscus. NKK data.

EMLA Current setting [A]

SLIVER-BASED PINHOLES ON BEVERAGE CAN PRODUCTS (Index)

100

80

60

40

20

Fig. 5 The EMLS mode reduces powder-based inclusions and related pinholes in D&I material (0.18-mm thick beverage can product). NKK data.

0 WITHOUT EMLS WITH EMLS

WITHOUT EMRS

WITH EMRS

Fig. 6 The EMRS mode reduces subsurface blowholes. Test result on low carbon steel with only traces of soluble aluminium. NKK data.

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Presented at the 4th European Continuous Casting Conference Oct. 14-16, 2002 in Birmingham, UK

4. EMLA, EMLS Maintaining a Stable Double-Roll Flow It becomes clear from the precedent section that steelmakers need a technology that can maintain a stable double-roll flow in the mold, independently from slab width, casting speed, SEN depth or argon flow rate. A technology exists that is an effective method to meet that objective (13, 14). The technology is based on the use of four linear stirrers that are positioned approximately at mid-height of the mold; on each side of the SEN, behind each broad face. The stirrers induce horizontally-traveling (AC) magnetic fields. They create forces in the steel that can accelerate or slow down the steel according to the traveling direction of the fields. In contrast with "passive" DC electromagnetic systems that can only brake what goes too fast with a braking effect that is proportional to the actual speed of the liquid steel, these AC fields are "active." They brake with considerably higher efficiency than DC systems and can also accelerate the liquid steel (actually, they can put in motion dead zones that do not move). Switching between accelerating and slowing down functions is possible on-line by appropriate electronic control in function of all operating parameters as they change during casting. Benefits of this technology proposed by NKK in 1991 have been described in great detail in the literature (13-16). Examples include: Fig. 4: The electromagnetic level accelerating function (EMLA) uses magnetic fields traveling from the SEN to the narrow slab faces. It promotes heat transfer to the steel meniscus, i.e., improves mold powder melting, shortens the length of the solidification hooks and reduces slivers and frozen meniscus situations. Fig. 5: The electromagnetic level stabilizer/slowing-down function (EMLS) uses magnetic fields traveling from the narrow slab faces to the SEN. It decreases mold level fluctuations, i.e., reduces powder-based inclusions and sticker alarms on high-speed casters.

5. EMRS The 3rd Function of a Flexible Electromagnetic Stirring Technology The technology of the four linear electromagnetic stirrers mentioned in the precedent section offers also a third function of stirring (EMRS, an electromagnetic rotative stirring function) making it a very flexible electromagnetic stirring technology. Indeed, by appropriate selection of the direction of the four traveling fields (going in the same direction all over one broad face, but in opposite direction on the other broad face) forces can be generated at the meniscus that will rotate the steel in a horizontal plane. Benefits of meniscus rotative stirring, that was initially proposed by Nippon Steel in 1982 (with, however, a stirrer located high in the mold), concern the very early stages of steel solidification at the meniscus (17). Fig. 6 is an example of test results obtained with EMRS at NKK(18) with stirrers installed at mid-height of the mold. Observe how EMRS, that makes steel velocity and heat transfer more uniform along the perimeter of the mold and "washes" the solidification front, significantly reduces subsurface pinholes, blowholes and inclusion content (alumina and calcium-aluminates, typically). The data refute the opinion that the "washing" effect of the rotative stirring can only be obtained with a stirrer located high in the mold and confirm that a same electromagnetic system can be used efficiently for all three stirring functions on a same caster.

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Presented at the 4th European Continuous Casting Conference Oct. 14-16, 2002 in Birmingham, UK

6. SELECTING THE OPTIMUM EMLA, EMLS, EMRS MODES Breaking Free from the Constraints of a Demanding Product Mix The selection and the drive of the EMLA, EMLS and EMRS functions on a same caster may look complex. Actually it is very simple if one remembers the goal of maintaining a stable double-roll steel flow pattern to minimize defects. The control concept can easily be explained on a slab-width/casting-speed diagram and includes three operating modes. Fig. 7 represents the single- and double-roll flow events of table I in such a slabwidth/casting-speed diagram; for simplification, the unstable S/D or D/S events were not represented. A hyperbola line for a constant casting throughput of 4.6 t/min was added for reference. The schematic was chosen to show the limits of a "naturally-existing single-roll domain at < 1.3 m/min casting speeds and > 1550 mm slab widths, and of a "naturallyexisting double-roll domain at > 1.3 m/min casting speeds and < 1550 mm slab widths. As indicated in section 2, the position and the slope of the single/double-roll separation line varies with argon flow and SEN depth/design: e.g., for deeper SENs and lower argon flows (events No. 10 and 18) the separation line shifts to the left widening the double-roll domain correspondingly.
2200 2000 Slab width [mm] 1800 1600 1400 1200 (1) 1000 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3 1,4 1,5 1,6 1,7 1,8 Casting speed [m/min] (18) (15) (10) (9) Single Roll Double Roll

Fig. 7 Single-roll ( ) and double-roll ( ) events from table 1 are represented in this slab-width/casting-speed diagram. The dotted hyperbola line represents a constant machine throughput for reference. The double line represents the limit of the single-roll and double-roll domains. Its position and slope depend on SEN design/depth and argon flow rates.

The first operating mode covers the "naturally-existing double-roll domain and uses both EMLS and EMLA functions. The operation is based on NKKs finding (13-15) that there is an optimum double-roll intensity required to minimize coil defects (Fig. 8). Optimized operation thus requires the use of EMLS mode to slow down the double-roll intensity in
Surface Defects on CR Coils (Index)
100 80

60

40

20

Fig. 8 There is an optimum window of steel meniscus velocities between weak and excessive double-roll flow conditions for which slab/coil defects are minimum (700/1650-mm wide, 235-mm thick slabs, 1.6 to 2.8 m/min). The window corresponds to an optimum meniscus flow velocity. It quantifies the double-roll flow intensity that is required to minimize the defects. NKK data.

Low

Optimum

High

Meniscus Steel Flow Velocity (Index)

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Presented at the 4th European Continuous Casting Conference Oct. 14-16, 2002 in Birmingham, UK

case of high-throughput/low-argon casting or the use of EMLA mode to accelerate in case of low-throughput/high-argon casting. SINGLE ROLL DOUBLE ROLLIn industrial mode, an F-value that combines slab width, DOMAIN casting speed, argon flowDOMAIN and SEN design/depth is calculated every 5 seconds, and stirring intensity/direction is actuated accordingly. Indeed, water modeling and mathematical simulations conducted at NKK-Fukuyama related F-value to SEN spouting 2500
slab width [mm]
2000

EMLA permanent EMRS EMLS F-value control EMLA

500 0,8 1,0 1,2 1,4 1,6 1,8 2,0 2,2 2,4 2,6 2,8

1500

1000

casting speed [m/min]

Fig. 9 Schematic representation of the three operating modes. In the double-roll domain, EMLS-EMLA is operated by automatic Fvalue controller to maintain meniscus flow velocity within the optimized operational window. In the single-roll domain, permanent EMLA mode is used to convert single-roll and unstable flows into optimized double-roll flows. In both domains, EMRS mode is used for specific metallurgical purposes.

stream velocity,meniscus flow velocity and the height of the standing wave at the narrow faces of the mold. Fig. 9 schematizes the break-even line between EMLS and EMLA operations. For given SEN depth/design and argon flow, this line can be understood as the iso-throughput line of the ideal operating "window" where no electromagnetic flow control is required. Moving away from this line, higher throughputs require stronger
Meniscus flow velocity (m/min)

Mold height (m)

Coil current = 0 A

Half mold width (m)

Half mold width (m)

Meniscus flow velocity (m/min)

Fig. 10 The EMLS mode (at 280 A in this example) reduces steel meniscus velocities significantly. Excessive braking (at 360 A in this example) reverses the double-roll pattern into a detrimental "returning" single-roll proving the existence of an optimum window of operation. The left-hand side diagrams show liquid steel trajectories in a 2-D mathematical simulation (the SEN is at the far left). Right-hand side diagrams represent steel meniscus velocities (positive velocities go from the SEN to the narrow face). Meniscus velocities without EMLS at 0 Amp coil current are represented in all three diagrams for reference.

Mold height (m)

Coil current = 280 A

Half mold width (m)

Half mold width (m)

Meniscus flow velocity (m/min)

Mold height (m)

Coil current = 360 A

Half mold width (m)

Half mold width (m)

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Presented at the 4th European Continuous Casting Conference Oct. 14-16, 2002 in Birmingham, UK

EMLS settings; lower throughputs require stronger EMLA settings. Wrong settings must be avoided, as they generate defects. Interestingly, mathematical simulations show that too strong EMLS settings (i.e., too much braking) induce a third loop in the mold (Fig. 10) which disturbs the principal double-roll flow, thereby confirming mathematically the existence of the optimum window represented on Fig. 8. The second operating mode is permanent EMLA operation and covers the "naturallyexisting single-roll domain, specifically pertaining to wide-slab, slow-speed casters. In this case, the steel flow exiting the SEN needs to be accelerated to transform the single-roll flow into a steady and optimized double-roll flow. This operating mode also addresses the various transient casting conditions described in section 3 such as slow-speed head/tail slabs in sequence casting or the steady unstable situations. In contrast to the general opinion that EMLS/EMLA technology is only of interest to high-speed high-throughput machines, this second EMLA mode addresses the majority of the currently existing casters. Industrial results are not yet available for publication, however mathematical simulations show that the EMLA function can easily transform a single-roll flow into a double-roll flow (Fig. 11).
Meniscus flow velocity (m/min)

Mold height (m)

Coil current = 0 A

Half mold width (m)

Half mold width (m)

Meniscus flow velocity (m/min)

Mold height (m)

Fig. 11 The EMLA mode (at 450 A in this example) can transform a single-roll flow pattern into a doubleroll flow. Left-hand side diagrams show liquid steel trajectories in a 2-D mathematical simulation. Right-hand side diagrams represent steel meniscus velocities (positive velocities go from the SEN to the narrow face). Meniscus velocities without EMLA at 0 Amp coil current are represented in all three diagrams for reference.

Coil current = 250 A

Half mold width (m)

Half mold width (m)

Meniscus flow velocity (m/min)

Mold height (m)

Coil current = 450 A

Half mold width (m)

Half mold width (m)

The third operating mode is the rotative stirring EMRS mode. Its role is not to maintain the double-roll flow pattern in its optimized operating window, but rather to generate a flow pattern that homogenizes steel temperature gradient along the mold perimeter and washes the solidification front. For this reason, currently, the EMRS mode is limited to specific steel grades such as pseudo-rimming, enameling, peritectic, tin plate, and beverage cans.

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Presented at the 4th European Continuous Casting Conference Oct. 14-16, 2002 in Birmingham, UK

7. CONCLUSIONS The contribution of this paper was meant to be twofold: (1) improve our understanding of the effect of mold flow pattern on steel quality and, (2) present an electromagnetic-based technology that allows to stabilize the preferred flow pattern and minimize slab/coil rejections. Specific findings are: Steel flow in the mold is affected by slab width, casting speed, argon flow rate, and SEN angle/immersion depth. Steel flow can be single-roll or double-roll, or it can establish itself somewhere between single and double flow making it steadily unstable. Casting conditions changes such as ladle, slab width, casting speed, argon flow rate, or SEN immersion depth changes are other conditions that make the flow unstable. Steel quality is directly correlated to steel flow stability and steel flow pattern, therefore maintaining a stable double-roll flow is key to optimizing steel product quality. The need for a versatile electromagnetic technology that can accelerate, slow-down, or rotate the steel stream in the mold was demonstrated, and the benefits of the three functions were analyzed. Acceleration (EMLA) and braking (EMLS) modes can optimize the double-roll flow patterns that are prevalent on high-speed high-throughput machines. The effect is to minimize slivers, prevent excessive mold level fluctuations and reduce powder shearing and breakouts alarms. A new application of EMLA was described that eliminates the negative impact of slow-speed machines, wide-slabs, and transient-casting conditions. It consists of accelerating single-roll and unstable/transitioning flow patterns to widen the domain of the preferred double-roll flow conditions. Rotative stirring EMRS which is a third mode of stirring available with the same equipment, was confirmed to be efficient although the stirrers are installed at mid-mold height. It eliminates the negative constraints of difficult-to-cast grades or demanding applications such as pseudo-rimming, enameling, peritectic, tin plate, and beverage cans by reducing subsurface pinholes, blowholes and inclusion content A qualitative fluid-flow approach (single/double roll) was used in conjunction with a quantitative mathematical approach (F-Factor and 2-D simulation) to propose optimum use of the three functions. In its optimum use, the new, versatile technology is a unique tool to free caster operators from incompatibilities and inherent conflicting constraints between demanding product mixes (slab width/casting speed/steel quality incoherence), productivity goals, and steel flow patterns that are naturally unsuitable for defect minimization.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to thank Dr. J. Kubota from the Fukuyama Works Steelmaking Department and Messrs. T. Kondo and S. Mizuoka from the Steelmaking Group Consulting Department of NKK Corporation in Japan for their valuable suggestions and discussions and support of this paper.

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REFERENCES 1. Gotthelf D., Andrzejewski P., Julius E., Haubrich H. 3rd European conference on continuous casting. Madrid, 1998, p. 825-833. 2. Dauby P. H., Assar M.B., Lawson G.D. La Revue de Mtallurgie, Vol. 4, avril 2001, p. 353/366. 3. Assar M.B., Dauby P.H., Lawson G.D. Steelmaking Conf. Proc., ISS, Baltimore, Vol. 83, 2000, p. 397-411. 4. Schulte H.B., Nabben R.H., van der Plas D.W., Triezenberg D. La Revue de Mtallurgie, juin 1997, p. 751-759. 5. Toh T., Hasegawa H., Harada H. ISIJ International, Vol. 41, 2001, No. 10, p. 1245/1251. 6. Thomas B. G. Making, Shaping and Treating of Steel, 11th edition, Vol. 5, Chap. 4.3, AISE Foundation, Pittsburgh, Oct. 2002. 7. Assar M.B., Finlayson J.P.; LTV Steel internal report. April 2001. 8. Stiftinger M.A., Sereno G., Giedeman D. Conf. Proc., AISE, Cleveland, Sept., 2001. 9. Burty M., De Santis M., Gesell M. La Revue de Mtallurgie, Vol. 1, Jan. 2002, p. 49-53. 10. Khler K.U., Andrzejewski P., Julius E., Haubrich H. Steelmaking Conf. Proc., ISS, Nashville, Vol. 78, 1995, p. 445-450. 11. Yamashita S., Iguchi M. ISIJ International, Vol. 41, 2001, No. 12, p. 1529-1531. 12. Kubo N., Kubota J. ISIJ International, Vol. 41, 2001, No. 10, p. 1221-1228. 13. Kubota J., Okimoto K., Shirayama A., Murakami H. Steelmaking Conf. Proc., ISS, Washington D.C., Vol. 74, 1991, p. 233/241. 14. Kubota J. PhD thesis, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. March 2001. 15. Kubota J., Kubo N., Ishii T., Suzuki M., Aramaki N., Nishimachi R. NKK Technical review, No. 85, 2001, p. 1 9. 16. Suzuki M., Kubo N., Ishii T., Nakada M., Kubota J., Ogura Y. CAMP-ISIJ, P, 1996, p. 616/617. 17. Yamane H., Ohtani Y., Fukuda J., Kawase T., Nakashima J., Kiyose A. Steelmaking Conf. Proc., ISS, Chicago, Vol. 80, 1997, p. 159/164. 18. Hanmyo M., Uchida S., Mori T., Sera T., Osame M., Fukuzawa Y., Miyahara S., Suzuki M.; Tetsu-to-Hagane, 69, p. 908.

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