Abstract
Bottom blowing agitation plays a crucial role in improving the reaction kinetics condition of molten bath during the steelmaking process. Herein, the influence of bottom blowing mode on the flow and mixing characteristics of molten bath and the abrasion characteristics of refractory lining in a 6:1 scaled-down model of a 100 t converter were investigated using physical and numerical simulations together. Eight bottom blowing modes were designed (uniform, three-point linear co-direction, three-point linear unco-direction, two-point linear, circumferential linear, A-type, V-type, and triangle alternating). The results indicated that bottom blowing mode has a significant effect on the local flow field at the inner ring of bottom tuyeres, the velocity interval distribution, and the turbulent kinetic energy, which in turn determines the tracer diffusion path and rate as well the mixing time of molten bath. Reasonable non-uniform bottom blowing modes promote the interaction between the various stirring sub-zones of the molten bath. Among them, the three-point linear co-direction mode and A-type mode have the highest mixing efficiency under the conditions of bottom blowing and combined blowing, respectively, which is superior to the uniform mode. In addition, the bottom blowing mode changed the location and degree of abrasion of the refractory lining, and the total abrasion of the non-uniform mode was reduced. The average value and fluctuation degree of integral wall shear stress for the A-type mode were minimal.
Highlights
Efficient bottom blowing agitation is beneficial to improving the reaction kinetics condition of the molten bath, homogenizing the composition and temperature of the molten steel, promoting the carbon–oxygen reaction equilibrium, enhancing the dephosphorization efficiency and reducing the degree of overoxidation, etc., thereby improving the quality level of the molten steel and the production efficiency
The results showed that a reasonable side blowing tuyere arrangement can significantly enhance the horizontal flow trend, reduce the volume of the dead zone, and improve the overall stirring effect of the molten bath
The results showed that the mixing time of the linear flow gradient is the shortest, but due to the limitations of the physical model, it is impossible to observe flow field and velocity distribution in the molten bath
Summary
Efficient bottom blowing agitation is beneficial to improving the reaction kinetics condition of the molten bath, homogenizing the composition and temperature of the molten steel, promoting the carbon–oxygen reaction equilibrium, enhancing the dephosphorization efficiency and reducing the degree of overoxidation, etc., thereby improving the quality level of the molten steel and the production efficiency
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