Flow Field Analysis within Industrial Quenching Tanks Operated with Aqueous Polymer Solutions in the Steel Industry

Abstract Quenching with polymer solutions for steel heat treatment offers adjustable performance and improved ecological impact compared to conventional water or oil quenching. The submersion cooling operation poses challenges due to the intense vapor/polymer film collapse on the component surface, potentially destabilizing batch components. Therefore, controlled recirculation is critical to preventing tank and specimen damage during cooling and ensuring effective steel hardening. However, flow structure analysis is often overlooked and disregarded in industrial tank design. Thus, this study evaluates the tank geometries of two partner industries to determine if they provide the necessary homogeneous flow for optimal quenching. The analysis combines experimental velocity measurements with a numerical model, with the identification of different flow intensity regions being the main outcome of this work. The results suggest that geometric modifications could improve flow recirculation, enhancing quenching performance.