Mathematical simulation was used for trouble-shooting and optimization.By the mathematical simulation,fluid flow and heat transfer of molten-steel in a four-strand tundish of a billet caster under different conditions (bare tundish and tundish with flow control device) were analyzed.The results showed that (1) the tundish with flow control device (FCD) has an important effect on the fluid pattern and temperature distribution; (2) the unsteady solving method was used to model the inclusion motions at different time periods,and it showed that the FCD is advantageous to separate the nonmetallic inclusions.According to the simulation results,the main problem existing in the industry production was found,and some helpful measurements were executed.Consequently,the large nonmetallic inclusions were separated,and the content of total oxygen was reduced.The quality of steel was greatly improved.