Inclusion Removal at the Free Surface of Steel Bath by Bubble Flotation

Abstract

In the present work, physical model experiments were carried out to clarify the inclusion removal at the free surface of steel bath. Polyethylene particles were used to simulate the non-wetting inclusions like alumina and silica. The influence of gas flow rate and bubble size on the inclusion removal at the free surface was evaluated. It is demonstrated that not all particles are removed when they arrive at the free surface of liquid bath, and those which are not removed will get back to the bath. It is found an annular particle layer is formed by the removed particles at free surface, which can capture other particles arriving at the free surface. However, the attachment of particles to the annular particle layer is not stable, and re-entrainment of particles occurs at high gas flow rate. It is shown the overall particle removal is determined by a balance of removal and re-entrainment. The particle removal constant increases with the increase in the gas flow rate, but decreases with the increase in bubble size. The equilibrium concentration of particles increases with the increase in gas flow rate and bubble size.