Influence of Thermal Parameters on the Structure and Intensity of Vortex Motion of a Melt in DC Arc Furnaces

Abstract

The vortex motion of a metal melt in a dc bottom-electrode arc furnace has been modeled numerically with allowance for different thermal parameters. The motion of the melt was described by magnetic hydrodynamic equations for a nonisothermal liquid. An algorithm of solution of the problem within the framework of standard packages of applied programs has been developed. It has been shown that a determining contribution to the vortex motion of the metal melt is made by the electromagnetic Lorentz force. It has been established that a significant influence is exerted by convective flows resulting from the nonuniform distribution of heat that is released in the electric-arc region. A nonuniform distribution of the Joule heat from the electric current flowing over the melt exerts a minor influence on the structure and intensity of the vortex melt motion.