Hydrodynamic simulation of gas - Particle injection into molten lead

Abstract

A multiphase- hydrodynamic model was solved with the phase field method and the Cahn-Hilliard equation to simulate the behavior of particle injection with nitrogen as conveying gas through a submerged lance into a lead bath in two dimensions. The residence and mixing time were obtained for different operating parameters like gas flow rate, lance depth, and different kettle and lance dimensions. The residence and mixing time decreased when the injection rate and the lance diameter increased. Therefore, the particle will have less opportunity to react with the liquid bath decreasing the refining metal processes efficiency. When the lance height and kettle dimensions were increased, the residence and mixing time also increased. In order to have an efficient disengagement of the particles from the carrier gas within molten lead, the operating parameters must take into account the residence and mixing times. The Cahn-Hilliard equation represents adequately the hydrodynamic behavior in the lance-kettle system studied.