Direct comparison of multi and single-phase models depicting the drying process of refractory castables

Abstract

Refractory castables are crucial for the production of steel and other materials. Upon heating, pressurization of vapor within their pores is developed, which may lead to cracks and even explosions. Numerical simulations are valuable tools for studying and developing strategies to prevent such phenomena during the drying stage. These mathematical models are categorized as single-phase or multiphase depending on whether the moving phases are considered individually or represented by a single entity. In this paper, an unprecedented direct comparison of such approaches is presented pointing out that the single-phase models could represent the experimental results to a reasonable extent with some minor caveats. To fulfill this task the modelling results were compared with those obtained by pressure and temperature measurements and using neutron tomography tests. Particularly, the multiphase model that considered the effect of capillary pressure could predict specific aspects such as the water accumulation ahead of the drying front.