Numerical Simulation of Particle Transport Phenomenon in Steelmaking Converter With Bottom Powder Injection Based on Eulerian-Multifluid VOF-Granular Flow Model

• Published in: Metallurgical and materials transactions. B, Process metallurgy and materials processing science Process metallurgy and materials processing science, 2023-06, Vol.54 (3), p.1449-1467
• Main Authors: Zhang, Jingshi, Lou, Wentao, Zhu, Miaoyong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bottom blown converters; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Distribution functions; High speed cameras; Iron and steel industry; Materials Science; Mathematical models; Metallic Materials; Model accuracy; Nanotechnology; Original Research Article; Predictions; Radial distribution; Shear stress; Simulation; Steel converters; Steel making; Stresses; Structural Materials; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Transport phenomena; Turbulence; Viscosity
• ISSN: 1073-5615; 1543-1916
• DOI: 10.1007/s11663-023-02772-x

High-efficiency converter steelmaking is still a hot topic in steel industry. In the present work, a coupled Eulerian-multifluid VOF-granular flow model was developed to study the particle transport phenomenon in top–bottom-blown converter with bottom powder injection, and effect of the bubble-induced turbulence and solids shear stresses on particle transport phenomenon in converter are investigated. Simulation results were compared with experimental data obtained by high-speed camera and particle concentration meter to verify accuracy of the model. The fundamental phenomena such as motion and distribution of particle are described satisfactorily, and the effects of bubble-induced turbulence and solids shear stresses on distributions of particle concentration and velocity and liquid turbulent energy are evaluated. The results show that granular kinetic viscosity has a significant effect on prediction of particle volume fraction, in which particle concentration is predicted successfully with Gidaspow model. Granular bulk viscosity and frictional viscosity dominate the particle transport behavior in free motion region, and frictional pressure correction factor C fr , which indicates fraction of effective particle frictional pressure, should be 0.9. Radial distribution function affects simulation results, especially in dense region of particle concentration distribution, and Lun model obtains the best agreement with experimental data. Bubble-induced turbulence affects particle distribution and can predict particle volume fraction more accurately.