Mathematical model of gas flow distribution in a scale model of a blast furnace shaft

Abstract

The mutual influence between gas flow and burden distribution in the upper part of a blast furnace has been studied employing a simplified mathematical model to estimate burden distribution and a gas flow model based on Ergun's equation. Experiments carried out on a 1/10 scale cold model of Aceralia's blast furnace B were compared with results obtained from these mathematical models. Results corroborate that changes in burden distribution during the charging process have a strong influence on gas distribution, which also affects the burden layer profiles. These interrelations should be taken into account when the blast furnace charging patterns are designed.