A physical modelling study to determine the influence of slag on the fluid flow in the AOD converter process

A 1:4.6 scale physical model of a production argon oxygen decarburisation (AOD) converter was used to study the influence of top slag on the AOD process. Specifically, the gas penetration depth, fluid flow and slag behaviour under different nozzle diameters, nozzle numbers and gas flow rates were studied. The results show that the relative gas penetration depth generally increases linearly with an increased gas flow rate and a decreased nozzle size. Furthermore, the slag thickness increases linearly with an increased gas flow rate. In addition, the open-eye size was found to increase exponentially with an increased gas flow rate. Overall, three kinds of fluid flow patterns were found in the experiments: (i) a counter-clockwise rotation, (ii) a clockwise rotation and (iii) a double circulation with the plume in the middle of the converter. A counter-clockwise rotation was most common for the current experimental conditions.     

Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow in Bath during Combined Top and Bottom Blowing VOD Refining Process of Stainless Steel

The fluid flow in a bath in combined top and bottom blowing vacuum‐oxygen decarburization (VOD) refining process of stainless steel has numerically been simulated. The three‐dimensional mathematical model used is essentially based on that proposed in our previous work for the flow in combined side and top blowing argon‐oxygen decarburization (AOD) process, but considering the influence of reduced ambient pressure. Applying it to the flow in the bath of a 120 t VOD vessel under the refining conditions, the results present that the model can fairly well simulate and estimate the flow phenomena. The flow pattern of molten steel in the bath with the combined blowing is a composite result under the common action of the jets from a three‐hole Laval top lance and gas bottom blowing streams. The jets have a leading role on it; the molten steel in the whole bath is in vigorous stirring and circulatory motion during the blowing process. The streams do not alter the basic features of the gas agitation and liquid flow, but can evidently change the local flow pattern of the liquid and increase its turbulent kinetic energy to a certain extent. The flow field and turbulent kinetic energy distribution in the combined blowing with three tuyeres are more uniform than those in the blowing with double tuyeres. Increasing properly the tuyere eccentricities is of advantage for improving the velocity and turbulent kinetic energy distributions, the stirring and mixing result in the practical VOD refining process.     

Turbulent Fluid Flow Phenomena in a Water Model of an AOD System

Experimental measurements are reported regarding fluid flow and turbulence property measurements in a water model of an AOD vessel. Laser velocimetry was used to determine the time smoothed velocities, the turbulent kinetic energy, and the Reynolds stresses in the system; in addition, the rate of melting of immersed ice rods was also measured to determine the local heat transfer rates. The measurements have shown that for the model AOD studied both the velocity fields and the distribution of the turbulent kinetic energy were quite uniform; the absence of inactive or dead zones would render these systems ideal for mixing and for a range of ladle metallurgical operations. The rate at which immersed ice rods dissolved depended on both the local velocities and on the turbulence levels; a previously developed correlation could be employed to predict the appropriate heat transfer coefficients. Finally, the rate of turbulent energy dissipation per unit volume in real industrial AOD vessels was found to be much higher than in any other ladle metallurgy operations. This could raise interesting possibilities regarding the more widespread use of these systems for molten metals processing.     

Basic equations and calculation procedure for analysis of gas flow properties in tuyère under the influence of heat source

Based on fundamentals of the dynamics and thermodynamics of compressible fluid flow as well as heat transfer, the basic equations and formulae for characterizing and calculating the gas flow properties in tubular and annular type tuyères (constant cross‐sectional area lances) under the influence of a heat source are derived. The calculation procedures of the properties at different discharge states through a tuyère are given. For the case of an annular‐tube type tuyère used for an AOD (argon‐oxygen decarburization) vessel of 18 t capacity, the distributions of the inner wall temperatures of the tuyère and the gas stagnation temperatures along its length have been more reasonably determined. The friction coefficients of its main tuyère and subtuyère to the gas flows during injection refining have been fixed by comparison of the pressure‐flowrate (P‐Q) experimentally measured in relationship to the results of trial calculations.     

Prediction of temperature in secondary steelmaking: mathematical modelling of fluid flow and heat transfer in gas purged ladle

As a first step towards prediction of temperatures in secondary steelmaking, mathematical modelling of fluid flow and heat transfer in ladle furnace was undertaken. A two‐dimensional quasi‐single phase model has been developed for turbulent recirculating flow by solving Reynolds averaged Navier‐Stokes equations along with a two‐equation k‐? model. The model was then extended to include thermal transport in a conjugate domain (i.e., molten steel + refractory shell + steel shell). The flow model was validated with water model data reported in literature by different researchers. Good agreement for velocity field and satisfactory agreement for turbulent kinetic energy field were obtained. The thermal model showed good agreement with results predicted in literature. The paper also presents findings of tests for sensitivity of flow on modelling and process parameters. By comparison with water model experiments, it has been demonstrated that the flow field in a ladle with a porous plug can be represented using a gas voidage fraction in the plume obtained from experiments with nozzles for axial gas injection from the bottom. Flow and thermal fields were insensitive to initial turbulence level at nozzle. Maximum temperature inhomogeneity in the melt was 2 °C after 1.5 min and negligible after 3 min of onset of gas purging.     

上水口环形吹氩对中间包内渣眼形成的影响

 中间包上水口环形吹氩可以在塞棒周围形成清洗钢液的环形气幕,同时部分氩气泡随钢液进入上水口内,可以减少非金属夹杂物在水口内壁的黏附,起到防止水口堵塞的作用。然而,不合理的吹氩量会导致中间包内液面渣层受过强的气液羽流冲击而形成渣眼,使得钢液裸露并发生二次氧化,严重影响铸坯质量。采用标准 k ε 湍流模型研究中间包内流体流动,采用DPM模型和VOF模型耦合方法,研究上水口环形吹氩条件下渣眼的形成及演化规律。结果表明,上水口环形吹氩在塞棒周围形成较强的上升流,塞棒上部邻近区域存在多个涡流区;在钢液涡流的影响下,中间包液渣下层远离塞棒区域,上层向塞棒区域迁移;随着吹氩量的增大,平均湍动能增大,塞棒附近钢液速度逐渐增大,钢渣界面钢液速度先增大后减小,渣眼边缘钢液速度先增大后减小然后再增大,速度与垂直方向夹角逐渐减小;增大吹氩量,中间包熔池液面形成以塞棒为中心的渣眼,渣眼面积逐渐增大。试验条件下不产生渣眼的临界吹氩量为4.2 L/min,对应的钢渣界面最大速度为0.247 m/s,与垂直方向夹角为70°。     

Bubble and liquid flow characteristics during horizontal cold gas injection into a water bath

In refining processes such as the AOD process cold gas is blown horizontally into the molten metal bath of the processes. The spatial distribution of bubbles in the bath is one of the important factors influencing the efficiency of the processes. In this study, a water model study was carried out to understand the characteristics of bubbles and liquid flow generated by horizontal gas injection. The bubble and liquid flow characteristics were measured using an electro‐resistivity probe and a laser Doppler velocimeter, respectively. In the flow field near the nozzle the bubble characteristics for the horizontal cold gas injection can be predicted by empirical equations derived for isothermal gas injection systems. The liquid flow characteristics could not be measured in this region. On the other hand, in the region far from the nozzle the two characteristics for the cold gas injection became different from those for the isothermal gas injection because of enhanced buoyancy force acting on expanding cold bubbles due to heat transfer.     

Use of LNG‐Oxygen Gas Mixture in RH Degassing Unit

Mixed gas of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oxygen was injected into the vacuum vessel during non‐decarburization period using a multifunctional lance. Tthis study reports the experimental results when applying this process in a 100‐ton piece of equipment and reports the changes in temperature of the refractory surface and molten steel. Using a multifunctional lance allowed heat supplementation by injecting LNG‐oxygen mixed gas into the vacuum vessel of a RH device and then burning the gas near the outlet of the injection nozzle. The following was found: The minimum surface temperature required so that the skull would not adhere to the RH vessel was calculated as about 1643K (1370°C). When the interior of the RH vacuum vessel was preheated with a multifunctional lance so that the temperature would be higher than this, skull adhesion to the vessel did not occur. Calculation of heat balance for burning under atmospheric pressure showed that about 70% of the heat quantity of burning was supplied to the refractory. When mixed gas was burned during the RH process, it was shown from the temperature change of molten steel that about 52% of the burning heat was transferred to the steel. Heat quantity removed through lance cooling water was proportional to the charge length of the lance, and emissivity ε was equivalent to heat transfer quantity of 0.38.     

Preliminary Investigation of Fluid Mixing Characteristics during Side and Top Combined Blowing AOD Refining Process of Stainless Steel

The fluid mixing characteristics in the bath during the side and top combined blowing AOD (argon‐oxygen decarburization) refining process of stainless steel were preliminarily investigated on a water model unit of a 120 t AOD converter. The geometric similarity ratio between the model and its prototype (including the side tuyeres and the top lances) was 1:4. On the basis of the theoretical calculations for the parameters of the gas streams in the side tuyeres and the top lances, the gas blowing rates used for the model were more reasonably determined. The influence of the tuyere number and position arrangement, and the gas flow rates for side and top blowing on the characteristics was examined. The results demonstrated that the liquid in the bath underwent vigorous circulatory motion during gas blowing, without obvious dead zone in the bath, resulting in a high mixing effectiveness. The gas flow rate of the main tuyere had a governing role on the characteristics, a suitable increase in the gas flow rate of the subtuyere could improve mixing efficiency, and the gas jet from the top lance made the mixing time prolong. Corresponding to the oxygen top blowing rate specified by the technology, a roughly equivalent and good mixing effectiveness could be reached by using six side tuyeres with an angle of 27 degrees between each tuyere, and five side tuyeres with an angular separation of 22.5 or 27 degrees between each tuyere. The relationships of the mixing time with the gas blowing rates of main‐tuyeres and sub‐tuyeres and top lance, the angle between each tuyere, and the tuyere number were evaluated.     

A numerical study of high-velocity oxygen fuel thermal spraying process. Part I: Gas phase dynamics

A mathematical model is formulated to simulate the effect of operational parameters on the gas dynamics that occur during high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spraying. Computational fluid dynamic techniques are implemented to solve the Favre-averaged mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations. The renormalization group (RNG) κ-ɛ turbulence model is used to account for the effect of turbulence, and high-order interpolation schemes are employed to resolve compressibility effects in the supersonic jets. The calculated results show that the most sensitive parameters affecting the process are propylene flow rate, total flow rate of oxygen and propylene (oxyfuel flow rate), total inlet gas flow rate, and barrel length. The results show that increasing the total inlet gas flow rate has limited effect on the gas velocity and temperature inside the nozzle for the parameter range investigated in the present study. However, increasing the total inlet gas flow rate increases the total thermal inertia and momentum inertia; moreover, under these conditions the flame gas is retained at a high velocity and temperature for a longer distance. Increasing the oxyfuel flow rate significantly increases flame velocity and temperature, particularly after exiting the nozzle. The effect of propylene flow rate is significant and complex. In order to minimize the extent of the oxidation of the sprayed powder particles and to achieve a high flame temperature and velocity, the overall injected stream should be adjusted to be propylene-rich. The nitrogen flow rate significantly affects the gas flow inside the gun. On the basis of the calculated results, it is evident that, in order to obtain maximum gas velocity and temperature, the nitrogen flow rate should be kept to a minimum, provided that particles can be delivered to the gun in a smooth manner. By minimizing the entrainment of the surrounding air, a nozzle with a longer barrel length achieves a relatively high gas velocity and temperature for a longer distance than does a nozzle with a shorter barrel length. The calculated results are in good agreement with available experimental results.     

Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow and Interfacial Behavior in Three‐phase Argon‐Stirred Ladles with One Plug and Dual Plugs

A numerical investigation is performed to describe the quasi‐steady fluid flow and interfacial behavior in a three‐phase argon gas‐stirred ladle with off‐centered bottom Ar injection through a plug and two plugs placed in 180° and 90°configurations, respectively. The flow of the fluid phase is solved in an Eulerian frame of reference together with the motion of every individually injected Ar bubble, tracked in its own Lagrangian frame. Volume of fluid (VOF) model is used to track any interface between two or more immiscible phases, which include slag/metal, slag/gas and metal/gas. The characteristics of fluid flow in a gas‐stirred ladle with one plug or two plugs configuration are described when the slag layer and the top gas are presented. The slag layer deformation and slag open‐eye formation at different Ar gas flow rates for three types of plug arrangements are given. The comparison of the mixing time, the deformation of slag layer and the behavior of slag/steel interface between one‐plug and two‐plug system is made. Several implications for ladle operational issues during a gas‐stirred ladle refining cycle are discussed. It is found that the proper selection of Ar gas flow rate and plug arrangements during a ladle refining cycle is required for different refining purposes considering the mixing and metallurgical reaction in a three‐phase ladle system.     

Modeling of transient flow phenomena in continuous casting of steel

This paper describes initial efforts to develop and apply 3D finite-difference models to simulate transient flow in the mold. These transient flow phenomena include flow pattern oscillations caused by sudden changes in nozzle inlet conditions and rapid fluctuations in the molten steel⧹flux interface level at the top surface of the mold. The flow model incorporates interactions with other transport phenomena, including turbulence, superheat removal and argon gas bubble injection. Predictions are shown for the oscillatory evolution of the flow pattern from biased steady flow to symmetrical steady flow after a sudden change in inlet conditions. In addition, the predicted turbulent kinetic energy levels at steady state are shown to correlate with measured surface level fluctuations. The effect of processing conditions are consistent with experimental findings. Without argon, the greatest level fluctuations are found near the narrow face, while increased argon moves the maximum towards the center. Fluctuations decrease with deeper submergence and lower casting speed. These transient phenomena are important because they may lead to defects in the final steel product from entrainment of slag, disruption of solidification at the meniscus and non-uniform heat transfer.     

浇注钢包环出钢口四孔透气塞吹氩控制下渣工艺北大核心CSCD

针对浇注钢包环出钢口四孔透气塞吹氩控制下渣工艺,建立了某钢厂130 t钢包三维DPM-VOF耦合数学模型以计算浇注钢包下渣过程,并通过冷态实验验证了该模型的有效性。利用该模型研究了不同偏心率对下渣行为的影响,揭示了该工艺控制下渣的行为规律,并分析了吹氩流量对控制下渣的影响。结果表明,随着偏心率的增大,不同浇注高度下的最大切向速度减小,汇流漩涡临界高度降低。环出钢口四孔透气塞吹入氩气后,气泡流股的汇聚有效地减弱了水口上方钢液的周向旋转速度,大幅降低了汇流漩涡下渣临界高度。4个气泡流股的气液两相流会抑制流向水口钢液的径向流动速度,由排流沉坑引起的下渣也得到明显抑制。随着吹氩流量的增加,下渣临界高度呈降低趋势。就本研究而言,控制下渣的最佳吹氩流量为30 L/min。     

45t AOD配气模型

针对传统AOD配气方式的缺点,研究了基于魏季和等的脱碳精炼数学模型的配气模型,使AOD脱碳配气可根据钢水碳含量的变化自动调整氧氩比、根据钢水温度变化自动调整供氧强度,以及根据炉役中炉容比的变化自动调整最大供氧强度。该模型应用于AOD不锈钢冶炼系统中,既提高了氧气利用率,又缩短了冶炼时间,而且吨钢氧耗和还原硅消耗也略有改善,取得了较好的效果,为AOD不锈钢冶炼智能化打下了良好的基础。     

Study on Mass Transfer Characteristics in an AOD Converter Bath under Conditions of Combined Side and Top Blowing

The mass transfer characteristics in a steel bath during the AOD refining process with the conditions of combined side and top blowing were investigated. The experiments were conducted on a water model unit of 1/4 linear scale for a 120‐t combined side and top blowing AOD converter. Sodium chloride powder of analytical purity was employed as the flux for blowing, and the mass transfer coefficient of solute (NaCI) in the bath was determined under the conditions of the AOD process. The effects of the gas flow rates of side and top blowing processes, the position arrangement and number of side tuyeres, the powdered flux particle (bubble) size and others on the characteristics were examined. The results indicated that, under the conditions of the present work, the mass transfer coefficient of solute in the bath liquid is in the range of (7.31×10^?5‐3.84×10^?4) m/s. The coefficient increases non‐linearly with increasing angle between each tuyere, for the simple side blowing process at a given side tuyere number and gas side blowing rate. The gas flow rate of the main tuyere has a governing influence on the characteristics, and the gas jet from the top lance decreases the mass transfer rate, the relevant coefficient being smaller than that for a simple side blowing. Also, in the range of particle (bubble) size used in the present work and with all other factors being constant, raising particle (bubble) size increases the coefficient. Excessively fine powder particle (bubble) sizes are not advantageous to strengthening the mass transfer. With the oxygen top blowing rate practiced in the industrial technology, the side tuyere arrangements of 7 and 6 tuyeres with an angular separation of 22.5° and 27° between each tuyere, as well as 5 tuyeres with an angle of 22.5° between each tuyere can provide a larger mass transfer rate in the bath. Considering the relative velocity of the particles to the liquid, the energy dissipation caused by the fluctuation in the velocity of the liquid in turbulent flow and regarding the mass transfer as that between a rigid bubble and molten steel, the related dimensionless relationships for the coefficient were obtained.     

Investigation of the Gas‐Liquid Flow in a Stopper‐Rod Controlled SEN

The behaviour of two‐phase gas‐liquid flows in a stopper‐rod controlled submerged entry nozzle (SEN) is investigated in water model experiments. The observed two‐phase flow patterns can be classified into either bubble coring or bubbly slug. The scaling of the two‐phase flows by means of similarity parameters is discussed. In the experiments, it is found that the liquid flow rates depend strongly on the two‐phase flow patterns. Additionally, the influence of swirl on the flow patterns is investigated in detail. It is shown that swirl has a marked impact on the transition from bubble coring to bubbly slug. Finally, an estimation of the two‐phase argon‐steel flow patterns in industrialscale SEN flows is given.     

Numerical and Experimental Study on Fluid Dynamic Features of Combined Gas and Electromagnetic Stirring in Ladle Furnace

Basic fluid dynamic features of combined electromagnetic stirring, EMS, and gas stirring (EMGAS) have been studied in the present work. A transient and turbulent multiphase numerical flow model was built. Simulations of a real size ladle furnace were conducted for 7 cases, operating with and without combined stirring and varying the argon gas inlet plug position. The results of these simulations are compared considering melt velocity, melt turbulence, melt/slag‐interface turbulence and dispersion of gas bubbles. An experimental water model was also built to simulate the effects of combined stirring. The water model was numerically simulated and visual comparison of the gas plume shape and flow pattern in the numerical and in the experimental model was also done for 3 flow situations. The results show that EMGAS has a strong flexibility regarding the flow velocity, gas plume, stirring energy, mixing time, slag layer, etc.     

Analysis of Mould,Spray and Radiation Zones of Continuous Billet Caster by Three‐dimensional Mathematical Model based on a Turbulent Fluid Flow

An analysis of mould, spray and radiation zones of a continuous billet caster has been done by a three‐dimensional turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer mathematical model. The aim was to reduce crack susceptibility of the billets and enhance productivity of the billet caster. Enthalpy‐porosity technique is used for the solidification. Turbulence is modelled by a realizable k‐ε model. The three‐dimensional mesh of the billet is generated by Gambit software, and Fluent software is used for the solution of equations. In various zones, different standard boundary conditions are applied. Enhanced wall treatment is used for the turbulence near the wall. In the mould region, Savage and Prichard expression for heat flux is applied. In the spray cooling zone, the heat transfer coefficient for surface cooling of the billet is calculated by knowing the water flow rate and the nozzle configuration of the plant. The model predicts the velocities in the molten pool of a billet, the temperature in the entire volume of billet, the heat transfer coefficient in the mould region, the heat flux in the cooling zone and radiation cooling zone, and the shell thickness at various zones. The model forecasts that the billet surface temperature up to the cutting region is above the austenite‐ferrite transformation temperature (which is accompanied by large volume change). The model predicts a temperature difference of maximum 700 K between the centre and surface of the billet. The entire solidification takes place at 11.0 m length at 3.0 m/min. For the same casting arrangement, increasing the casting speed up to 4.0 m/min has been explored. Based on the simulation results, recommendations to alter the spray water flow rate and spray nozzle diameter are presented to avoid a sudden change of temperature.     

A Detailed Single Bubble Reaction Sub‐Model for AOD Process

A new detailed model that describes the chemical reactions, mass transfer and heat transfer taking place on the surface of a single gas bubble in liquid steel is presented in this paper. By using this model, locally occurring small scale physical and chemical mechanisms can be effectively studied. This information is required later in developing a simplified reaction sub‐model to be used in CFD simulation of an operating AOD vessel. To demonstrate the capabilities of the new model, the behaviour of a single bubble under two example conditions was simulated. In the case of high carbon content of the steel, here 1%, a contribution analysis showed that the major fraction of the oxygen goes to oxidize dissolved C. When 50% of the carbon in the bath is burned and if the same gas composition (90% O₂, N₂) is still used, the main product is initially Cr₂O₃, indicating that the gas composition should have been changed if this had been a real process in question. To verify, a series of O₂/N₂ ratios 0.1…0.95 were simulated at 50% C conversion to see how more optimal product yield can be obtained. In addition, time dependent profiles of temperature and all species in and around the bubble are presented. The results presented here are applicable only to a local position in the AOD vessel. To be applicable to a whole AOD vessel, the model should be implemented as a source term into CFD software or a corresponding process simulation tool. This will be our future work.