This project was focused on optimizing a pouring box design for an alumina-forming austenitic alloy used in ethylene pyrolysis and other high temperature applications.
Sponsored by: Duraloy Technologies Inc.
Team Members
Sarah Bury Ellie McFadden Justin Nguyen Kristina Nguyen Abigail Zajaczkowski Kaitlyn Rose Zajkowski
Instructor(s): Dr. Kimel
Project Poster
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Project Video
Project Summary
Overview
Duraloy is a foundry in Scottdale that produces specialty sand castings, centrifugal castings, and assemblies. Advanced alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) alloys offer superior high-temperature corrosion resistance well suited for ethylene cracking applications. Currently, there is a lack of readily available centrifugally cast AFA tubing in diameters smaller than 3 inches.
Objectives
Our objectives are to understand the properties of AFA alloys, develop multiple prototypes of a pouring box, and assess the current pouring box against new designs via SolidWorks flow modeling.
Approach
Our team determined that clogging in the pouring box was due to freezing at the leading edge. We hypothesized that increasing velocity out of the spout and decreasing turbulence within the spout would reduce clogging. Using SolidWorks modeling and physical testing, we prototyped various designs to reduce clogging and evaluated each.
Outcomes
We prototyped six pouring box designs and narrowed them down to two final designs, which optimized velocity and minimized turbulence, and analyzed each of them accordingly. Production will begin shortly on a final optimized pouring box to be used in industry.