Optimisation of the bottom tuyeres configuration for the BOF vessel using physical and mathematical modelling

Abstract

An experimental perspex model of the BOF vessel was made to the scale of 1:6 on which mixing time measurements were done by injecting potassium chloride (KCl) at a certain point and measuring the conductivity of the solution with time. It was found that the mixing time in the vessel attained a minimum when the bottom nozzles (eight in number) were kept at a pitch circle diameter (PCD) ratio of 0.4 with combined blowing (top blowing as well as bottom blowing) but the mixing time became a minimum at a PCD of 0.5 when only bottom blowing was done. In order to get a finer position of the bottom nozzles so that the mixing time could still be minimized, a mathematical model was used (because experiment could not be done with so close placement of the nozzles in one setup) to simulate the flow in the vessel with the help of the two equation k-ε turbulence model along with a discrete phase model to simulate the air bubbles being injected in to the vessel. The mathematical model could predict the mixing time in the vessel to a very good degree of accuracy when compared with the experimental observations for the PCD of 0.5. From the mathematical model it was predicted that the mixing time in the vessel could still be lowered if the bottom nozzles were placed at a PCD of 0.56 instead of 0.5. © 2007 ISIJ.