Numerical simulation and operation optimization for billet heating in disc reheating furnace based on grey correlation

Abstract

To further promote the equipment improvement of reheating furnaces in iron and steel production, considering heating movement and oxidation loss for the billet in 40 tons/hour self-designed disc reheating furnace, a comprehensive CFD model is established through the dynamic mesh technology with UDF subroutines. The billet heating process in the disc reheating furnace is numerically simulated to explore the dynamic heating characteristics of the billet in the disc reheating furnace. According to the orthogonal design, the grey correlation method is used to optimize the operation parameters such as the oxygen concentration, the charging temperature, the air preheated temperature, and the rotation speed. The results show the discharging temperature increases as the charging temperature, the oxygen concentration, or the air preheated temperature, and yet reduces with the rotation speed, which is opposite to the temperature difference. The important order is successively the oxygen concentration, the rotation speed, the air preheated temperature, and the charging temperature. The charging temperature has little effect on oxidation weight, while the oxygen concentration is obvious. It is of great significance for the current heat treatment of steel to increase efficiency, save cost, lower energy consumption, reduce pollutant emissions, and improve the automation application.