Study of optimal Ca-Si injection position in gas stirred ladle based on water model experiment and flow simulation

Abstract

A mathematical model based on a computational fluid dynamics technique named SOLA-SURF and the k-ϵ two equation turbulence model, and a water model that is one-quarter the scale of an actual ladle system, have been developed in the present study to find the optimal Ca-Si injection position for the ladle secondary refining process. Based on experimental measurements and observations from the water model and simulated results of the mathematical model, which has been verified by the experimental measurements, fluid flow phenomena and corresponding diffusion of the injected Ca-Si under various design and operating conditions have been investigated. The water model experiments and simulated results from the mathematical model for actual ladle operation show that, with an injection depth of 0·8 m and argon gas flowrate of 100, 200, and 300 L min-1, the optimal position for injection is located on the tuyere-circle centre plane, opposite side to the tuyere, and 0·5-0·8R away from the circle centre. For this injection position, the mixing time is shorter and the flow pattern favours transport of the additive to the bottom of the ladle.