Fluid Flow Turbulence in the Proximities of the Metal-Slag Interface in Ladle Stirring Operations

Abstract

Three-phase interactions (metal-slag-argon) in ladle stirring operations have strong effects on the metal-slag mass transfer processes. Specifically, the thickness of the slag controls the fluid turbulence to an extent that once trespassing a critical thickness, increases of stirring strength no longer effect the flow. To analyze these conditions, a physical model considering the three phases was built to study liquid turbulence in the proximities of the metal-slag interface. A velocity probe placed close to the interface permitted the continuous monitoring and statistical analyses of any turbulence. The slag eye opening was found to be strongly dependent on the stirring conditions, and the mixing times decreased with thin slag thicknesses. Slag entrainment was enhanced with thick slag layers and high flow rates of the gas phase. A multiphase model was developed to simulate these results and was found to be a good agreement between experimental and numerical results.