Effects of packed structure and liquid properties on liquid flow behavior in lower part of blast furnace

Abstract

Supposing liquid flow in the lower part of the blast furnace, a small trickle bed with abnormal void was used, and the effects of packed structure and liquid properties on the liquid flow behavior were examined. Different-size glass particles coated with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) were packed in the column, and the pressure loss and liquid holdup in the packed bed were measured. The liquid loading and flooding points were obtained from the change in pressure loss. Both the gas velocities at loading and flooding points decreased with increasing volume fraction of small particle, with increasing liquid viscosity and with increasing liquid velocity. As the small particle fraction is higher, the total and static liquid holdups increase but the dynamic one decreases. These holdups were expressed by the experimental equations. The liquid behavior in one void was modeled and analyzed. From the force balance on the liquid droplet at the flooding point the upward and downward forces were examined, and the variation in liquid flow behavior in the lower part of the blast furnace was estimated. © 2005 ISIJ.