Nature of Dust and Smoke Generation at Gas-Oxygen Blowing in a Converter Bath

• Published in: Steel in translation 2021, Vol.51 (2), p.79-87
• Main Authors: Solonenko, V. V., Protopopov, E. V., Temlyantsev, M. V., Yakushevich, N. F., Safonov, S. O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloying; Blowing; Bubbles; Chemistry and Materials Science; Combustion; Decarburization; Discharge; Dust; Dust control; Emissions control; Exhaust gases; Fuels; Gases; Heat balance; Materials Science; Metal films; Natural gas; Oxidation; Oxygen; Process parameters; Smoke; Steel converters
• ISSN: 0967-0912; 1935-0988
• DOI: 10.3103/S096709122102008X

The article focuses on the study of the nature of dust and smoke generation in the gas-oxygen blowing of a converter bath. The main causes of metal waste are determined. The influence of the main parameters of the process on the loss of metal at the dust discharge and evaporation of iron in the reaction zone are studied. The metal pulverization due to floating CO bubbles is evaluated. This pulverization is determined by the rate at which they rise to the bath surface. The characteristic features of the temperature regime of the reaction zone and the heat balance upon the addition of fuel to the oxygen flow are determined. The addition of fuel to oxygen makes it possible to increase the heat input into the bath, while reducing the rate of decarburization. This favors the reduction in the amount of discharged dust formed at the rupture and crushing of metal films by gas bubbles. The influence of using combustion product oxygen on the oxidation of metal impurities is considered. The blowing of carbon and alloyed steel for mill rollers is used as an example to show that the main qualities of gas-oxygen blowing are the decomposition degrees of CO 2 and H 2 O in the bath. These indicators determine the oxidizing and heating properties of the air blast. The change in the total, consumed heat and its losses with exhaust gases are evaluated, depending on the degree, to which the oxygen flow is diluted with natural gas (methane). In these conditions, the use of submersible combustion torches with the change in their oxidizing ability makes it possible to solve various process tasks, including the provision of an efficient procedure of reducing dust emission in the converter process.