Numerical simulation of the influence of operating parameters on the inner characteristics in a hydrogen-enriched shaft furnace

Abstract

The hydrogen-enriched shaft furnace faces the challenge of insufficient heat due to the endothermic reaction involved in hydrogen reduction of iron ore. The optimization of operating parameters is crucial in maximizing the utilization of energy, leading to enhanced gas utilization rate and metallization rate. This work established a 2D shaft furnace model based on an actual MIDREX shaft furnace to examine the impact of operating parameters on the reduction process. The findings reveal that reducing the gas velocity leads to a decrease in Fe concentration but an increase in CO utilization coefficient. The H2 utilization coefficient, however, shows less sensitivity to changes in gas velocity. Increasing the gas temperature enhances the Fe concentration and improves the gas utilization coefficient increases. An increase in central supply gas velocity results in a decline in Fe concentration, an increase in the CO utilization coefficient, while only slightly affecting the H2 utilization coefficient.