Dimensional Analysis of Average Diameter of Bubbles for Bottom Blown Oxygen Copper Furnace

Abstract

Average diameter of bubbles is important in copper furnace. Based on the principle of similarity, a slice water model of a furnace with bottom-blown oxygen in matte-smelting process was established. A high-speed camera was used to record images continuously and clearer pictures were selected for treatment. Finally, image processing software was used for obtaining the average diameter of the bubbles. The effects of different injection conditions and equipment factors such as the diameter of nozzle, the nozzle installing angle, and gas velocity on the average diameter of bubbles were studied with cold water model experiment, exploring the dispersion and disintegration rules of bubbles. According to experimental data and Buckingham’s theorem, by using dimensional analysis method, an empirical formula on average diameter of bubbles was established (dB=0.41666d0.29374θ-0.46572v-0.16725). It can be seen from the formula that nozzle installing angle and diameter of nozzle make the most impact on the average diameter of bubbles in bottom blown oxygen copper furnace.