Optimization of sampling location in the ladle during RH vacuum refining process

Sampling location is indeed essential to determine whether the sample is representative in the RH vacuum refining process. In this study, in order to find a reasonable method to optimize the sampling location, both numerical method and water modeling technique have been employed. The results showed that the tracer experiment can be ingeniously treated as the method of optimizing sampling location. Using this method, the starting mixing time (SMT), circulation number and curve amplitude can be obtained from the tracer concentration curve to characterize the mixing process of molten steel at different positions of the ladle. Therefore, by comparing and analyzing these three parameters between a large number of potential sampling locations, some useful recommendations about the optimal sampling location were proposed. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.