Physical-modeling study of fluid flow and gas penetration in a side-blown AOD converter

Abstract

The main fluid-flow pattern that results in a converter with side gas injection was studied using physical modeling. Having roughly the same viscosity as liquid steel, water was used in the experiments. The velocity of the water was determined for different positions in the vessel symmetry plane by laser Doppler velocimetry. Experiments were performed using combinations of three different bath heights and four different gas-flow rates. The results showed penetration of the gas plume into the steel bath both at the tuyère and bath level to increase with an increased gas-flow rate. Also, the penetration depth of the gas both at the tuyère and bath surface level were more affected by an increased gas-flow rate than an increased bath height. Finally, the overall fluid-flow pattern in the system was found to change both with an increased bath height and an increased gas-flow rate. © 2006 ISIJ.