Analysis of fluid flow characteristics of RH reactor with different bottom-blowing arrangements

Abstract

A numerical model of RH reactor with bottom-blowing is developed and used to analyse the influence of bottom-blowing position and gas flow rate on the fluid flow of molten steel, shear stress and slag layer. The results show that the flow difference caused by bottom-blowing positions is mainly due to the different movement behaviour of bubbles. When blowing directly below the up-snorkel, the bubble flow is more concentrated. With the increase in the flow rate, the offset of bubbles towards the up-snorkel direction increases, and it is easier to enter the gap between the up-snorkel and the ladle wall to form slag eye, and increase of shear stress on the ladle and the snorkels. When the position is under the up-snorkel which offset towards the centre of the ladle, the wall shear stress is weaker under the same flow rate, and the flow rate allows larger before slag eye forming.