Central coke charging and its effect on coke collapse at the throat of blast furnace by DEM simulation

Abstract

Central coke charging is an effective way to prevent coke collapse, which helps to improve the ore-to-coke ratio and further the gas utilization and CO 2 emissions. Therefore, a three-dimensional model considering different burden sizes of a bell-less top blast furnace is established basing on the discrete element method (DEM). The model is then used to investigate the effects of central coke charging angle, central coke charging amount, and coke layer profile on the coke collapse behavior and the ore-to-coke ratio along radius. The results show that the central coke charging angle has little effect on the coke collapse amount and the ore-to-coke ratio within the studied range. If discharged coke stays more on the peripheral region or forms an platform, the coke collapse amount will be less and the ore-to-coke will be more reasonable, otherwise, there should be enough central charged coke. • Different burden sizes and matrixes were first considered in coke collapse model. • Coke collapse is affected by central coke amount a lot but not the charging angle. • To form a coke platform at edge area improves the radial ore to coke distribution.