Abstract
In the Linz–Donawitz (LD) steelmaking process supersonic oxygen jets expand into the surroundings formed by hot and dense slag foam thus it is necessary to understand the innate characteristics of supersonic jets when expanding into such surroundings. In this study, the individual influences of both the elevated temperature and high density of the surrounding medium on the jet characteristics are presented. It was found that the supersonic jet characteristics were not affected significantly by the expansion into hot environments with no correlation between the Mach number profiles and changes in surrounding temperature. However, the influence of the dense surroundings on the jet characteristics was profound. The jet velocity was reduced when expanding into a dense medium in comparison with that expanding into a gaseous medium. The peak value of momentum at any cross-section of the jet was not at the axis but in the gas/dense medium interface. The confluence of these factors, i.e. severe reduction in jet velocity and the location of peak momentum within the jet, are expected to change the present understanding of flow dynamics within LD vessels and its influence on refining reactions. Further studies in this area are recommended for better understanding of these phenomena.
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