The CFD Modeling of Multiphase Flow in an SKS Furnace: The Effect of Tuyere Diameter and Bath Depth

Kezhou Song,Ari Jokilaakso

doi:10.1007/s11837-021-05143-6

Abstract

CFD simulation using a multi-fluid VOF model on scaled-down SKS furnace multiphase flow was conducted, targeting the agitation performance under conditions of different tuyere diameters and bath depths, at a constant total gas volumetric flow rate. The results indicate that an increased bath depth contributes to the lateral movements of the matte and air phased, significantly promoting the agitation at the far side of the plumes. The characteristic of a deep bath allows larger tuyere diameters operated at a lower gas injection speed, to achieve comparatively smaller low velocity regions and dead zones. In addition, the wall shear stress was found to correlate with the distribution of low-velocity regions. Since the selections of tuyere diameter and bath depth are of major importance in the optimizing of flow fields, the results from this simulation offer good references for the future operation and design of SKS furnaces and other similar industrial vessels.

Highlights

The production capacity of refined copper has been increasing for the last 60 years, due to growing market demand worldwide.[1]
The results indicate that an increased bath depth contributes to the lateral movements of the matte and air phased, significantly promoting the agitation at the far side of the plumes
Apart from flash smelting technology, which is expected to account for 67% of world total copper smelting capacity in 2024, the rapid expansion of Chinese technology has been noted and is predicted to increase from nearly 0% to 14% in the period of 2000–2024.1 The growing scale of this emerging technology accords with that of the reported SKS (ShuiKouShan) technology or bottom-blown coppersmelting technology, which has gradually become popularized in East Asia in the last 15 years.[3,4]

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The production capacity of refined copper has been increasing for the last 60 years, due to growing market demand worldwide.[1]. To systematically explore the flow field of an SKS furnace, a more reliable model verification method was proposed in our previous research in 2021.16 In the previous work, the multi-fluid VOF model was first used in SKS furnace simulation, with verification of the plume shape and of the wave frequency and wave amplitude.[16] To ensure that the simulation results could be helpful to most SKS cases, the parameters were selected from the common range used in industry. The wave amplitude was in the reported range derived from the water model test results gained in very similar conditions.[16] As the standing waves could only be generated at a certain gas injection speed and bath depth, the almost identical wave performance indicated that, under the same or similar conditions, an extremely similar flow field could be constructed using the current numerical model. The related detailed verification processes and figures can be seen in our previous work.[16]

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

CONFLICT OF INTEREST