Hot‐Metal Desulfurization Using Calcium Carbide and Calcium Oxide in Transfer Ladle: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Investigation

Abstract

In this study, a 3D transient computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) model that simulates hot‐metal desulfurization (HMD) using calcium carbide and calcium oxide in an experimental‐scale ladle with a 70 kg capacity is presented. The model takes into account the efficiency of reagent‐particles‐penetrating carrier gas bubbles and is validated through experimental work, with an average difference of 7.06%. In this research, the effects of varying reagent particle sizes, hot‐metal temperatures, gas flow rates, and ladle design on desulfurization rates are discussed. The results indicate that when particle diameter decreases from 30 to 20.9 and 11.8 μm, desulfurization rates rise from 50.92% to 66.02% and 89.99%, respectively. Regarding hot‐metal temperature, a 100° range results in a final desulfurization rate difference of less than 3%. This study also reveals that increasing the carrier gas flow rate from 13 to 15 SLPM reduces the removal rate by 6.10%. As particle gas flow rate increases from 200 to 300 g min−1, the removal rate increases by 9.02%. In the lance arrangement analysis, the duo lance system demonstrates nearly identical desulfurization performance to the single‐center lance system, which outperforms the off‐center lance system.