The effect of salt tracer dosage on the transport and mixing in a water model of gas stirred ladle with a moderate gas flow rate

Abstract

In water model studies of mixing in ladles, the used salt tracer dosage is somehow neglected. It was reported that the salt tracer might influence the fluid flow and measured mixing time in water models. This study focuses on the effect of salt tracer dosage on the transport and mixing in a water model of a ladle with a moderate gas flow rate. The 1:3 scaled-down water model of an industrial 130 t ladle is established. Both black ink tracers for visualization of the flow field and the salt tracer for measuring the mixing time are used. The results indicate that the main circulation flow is dominant for the transport of the tracer. When increasing the salt solution tracer dosage, the arrival time at upper points is delayed, which indicates that a portion of the salt tracer is flowing downwardly to the bottom of the ladle. Consequently, the salt tracers dispersed to the bottom of the ladle are enhanced and at a faster pace. The mixing time of all monitor points decreases when the dosage of the salt tracer increases. The tendency is even obvious at the top surface.