Numerical method for modelling spray quenching of cylindrical forgings

Nowadays, in steel industries, spray quenching has been used as a cooling method for the microstructure optimization after a forging process. In comparison with other cooling systems, there are many process parameters involved in spray quenching, which make it versatile, effective and able to adapt the quenching upon different cross sections of heavy parts. Simulation can represent a useful tool in properly designing the spray process for a specific forging and its reliability depends on the proper definition of input data, in particular of the heat transfer coefficient between the water and the part. Volumetric spray flux has been proposed as one of the preeminent factors on determining the heat transfer coefficient during spray quenching, in industrial processes, the volumetric spray flux is affected by the overlap of sprays on the forging surface due to the use of multi-nozzles systems. The present paper is aimed at developing a method able to take into account, by using a defined amplification factor, the effect of overlapping of sprays on the heat transfer coefficient to be applied in simulation of quenching processes.