Numerical Analysis of Titanium Compounds in Blast Furnace Hearth During Titania Addition

Abstract

The longevity of an iron making blast furnace is largely limited by the erosion of hearth refractory. The addition of titanium (Ti)‐bearing materials into the furnace may promote so‐called Ti‐rich scaffolds along the damaged hearth lining. A Computational Fluid Dynamics model is used to investigate the complex transport phenomena associated with the formation and dissolution of solid particles. Based on the modeling results, the isotherm of the equilibrium temperature of the incoming hot metal solution can be used as an indicator for the extent and phase of Ti compounds. It is proposed that the particles can be managed by controlling the location of this isotherm. This can be conducted by either (a) altering the Ti dosage and concentration or (b) altering the hot metal pool temperature. The effects of these parameters on the solids holdup along the hearth refractory linings are investigated. The equilibrium isotherm concept may provide a more suitable way to control the location of Ti‐based particles for furnace operators.

An Experimental Technique for Investigating the Skulling Behavior in the Blast Furnace Hearth

“…The BF hearth phenomena have been investigated mainly based on mathematical and experimental modeling because the in‐hearth variables cannot be directly measured during the continuous operation . As for the skulling behavior, Zhao et al were among the first to put dedicated efforts into simulating skull formation utilizing a two‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model .…”

Characterization and Properties of Scaffold in a Dissected Blast Furnace Hearth

“…To be able to estimate the state of the hearth, some models for calculating the remaining sound lining and the amount of scaffold on the bottom and sidewall based on thermocouple readings has been developed. [10][11][12][13] For example, Keisuke et al 14) reported on the use of the scaffold thickness to monitor the hearth lining and to take control actions against erosion. But the information of the scaffold such as the thermal conductivity is hypothetical.…”

Review on Modeling and Simulation of Blast Furnace

“…Therefore, this model can predict the spatial distributions of volume fraction of Ti(C,N) particles, their sizes, and their melting‐forming boundary, as shown in Figure . This study was further conducted by Komiyama et al, who found that the isotherm of the equilibrium temperature of the hot metal can be used as an indicator for the extent and phase of Ti compounds, and on this basis, adjusted this isotherm to control the particle formation in the hearth by either altering the inlet titanium mass fraction or the hot metal pool temperature through systematic simulations. Recently, Zhao et al integrated the solidification model based on the melt/freeze enthalpy‐porosity technique into the flow and heat transfer models to describe the formation of skull.…”

“…Ueda et al [12] in 2010 and Ariyama et al [13] in 2014 further discussed the new efforts reported for the discrete simulation of BF, respectively. However, the previous reviews did not pay much attention to the modeling efforts dedicated to hearth [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] and raceway, [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45] of which the performance plays a critical role in determining BF campaign life, as well as operation and maintenance costs. Also, considerable model developments based on either discrete or continuum approach have been made recently.…”