Mathematical Modelling of Non‐equilibrium Decarburization Process during Vacuum Circulation Refining of Molten Steel: Mathematical Model of the Process

The characteristics of the non‐equilibrium decarburization process during the vacuum circulation (RH) refining of molten steel have been considered and analysed. On the basis of the fundamentals of metallurgical reaction engineering and non‐equilibrium thermodynamics, as well as the two‐fluid model for gas‐liquid two‐phase flow and a modified k‐? model for turbulent flow, a novel three‐dimensional mathematical model for the process has been proposed and developed. The details of the model, including the establishment of the governing equations and the especially modified two‐equation k‐? model, the determination of the appropriate source terms and boundary conditions and others, have been presented. The related parameters of the model have been discussed and determined for the decarburization refining process of molten steel in a 90‐t multifunction RH degasser under RH and RH‐KTB operating conditions.