Study on emulsion phenomena and field flow pattern in side-blown copper smelting process

Abstract

Side-blown process is regarded as an efficient, energy-saving, environment-friendly copper smelting technology. The arrangement of nozzles has significant impact on the distribution of emulsion droplets and flow pattern, which mainly decide the efficiency and result of the smelting process. In this paper, physical model was set up based on the same modified Froude number between model and industrial production. Effects of three kinds of nozzles on the size of emulsion droplet, field flow pattern and mixing time were analyzed. The results show: the SMD (Sauter mean diameter) of emulsion droplets turns normal distribution and the average SMD ranges from 2 to 4 mm. The size of emulsion droplets will decrease and the mixing time will be shorter when nozzles are more intensive. Two circulations exist in the fluid and the dead region (velocity below 0.05 m/s) will shrink when nozzles are arranged intensively.