Application of computational fluid dynamic in aluminum refining through pneumatic injection of powders

Abstract

Magnesium removal process from molten aluminum using particles of silica sand was studied from a hydrodynamic point of view using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The gas-liquid flow was modeled by a model of the Euler type for both gas and liquid phase transport. NewtonLs law of motion was used to describe the subsurface motion of injected solid particles from the calculated flow field in one-way coupling. The kinetics of the transitory reaction was described by using the model proposed by Ohguchi and Robertson for transitory reactions. The contacting method of reaction for silica particles of 75, 210 and 425 μm was established according to its dynamic interaction with the two phases flow. When the particle size was increased, the residence time increased as well; however, the efficiency for the transitory reaction was decreased. The reaction rate simulation showed a good agreement with experimental results reported in the literature.