Study on Slag Splashing Behavior in a 120 t Converter Based on Physical and Mathematical Simulation

Abstract

The service life of converter linings is crucial for efficiency and emission reduction. Slag splashing performance is essential in steelmaking. This study constructs a physical model based on a specific 120 ton converter using similarity principles. Dimensional analysis is employed to investigate process parameters and fluid properties. The influence of various process parameters on slag splashing performance is analyzed. Mathematical simulations using the volume of fluid method are conducted to quantitatively assess the volume of slag splashing, determine the optimum lance height, and examine the effects of nitrogen flow rate on the impact crater profile, splashing shape, and angle. The results demonstrate that when the fluid viscosity and surface tension meet specific conditions, the lance height in the physical model and the prototype satisfy geometric similarity. However, as no suitable fluid meeting the conditions is found, a corrective relation for the lance height between the physical model and the prototype is established to optimize the process parameters. By adjusting the lance height and bottom gas flow rate, damaged areas can be repaired, while modifying the nitrogen flow rate alters the shape of the slag splashing, resulting in uniform slag splashing.