1. To model the hot gas flow in the furnace at different zones taking into account of the burners kept at several orientations.
2. To study the heat transfer to the slab at different zones in a time dependent manner.
3. Understand and optimize the flow parameters to homogenize the temperature distribution on the slab and in the furnace.

Thin slabs after casting are heated in the tunnel furnace to about 1150oC before rolling. The furnace also acts as a buffer to store and hold the slabs at required temperature in the events of downstream rolling mill breakdown. Uniform temperature of the slab is desired at the exit of the furnace for achieving better finished product quality during rolling. For this, the reheating phenomenon inside the tunnel furnace need to be studied and modified as required. The heating of the slab due to combustion gases by convection and radiation has to be studied in detail. The heating of the slab including the combustion system of the tunnel furnace in heating and soaking/buffer zones need to be studied to predict the slab temperature distribution along the length, width and thickness. The flame characteristics and the flow pattern of the hot gases inside the furnace are important for achieving uniform temperature distribution. It is also important to find any hot spots/cold spots are formed on the slab surface due to the flame. The oxide scale formation on the slab surface due to the furnace environment also to be studied to reduce scale losses.