A numerical investigation assessing the symmetry of burden charging in a blast furnace using different chute designs

ABSTRACT

A full-scale 3D numerical model using the discrete element method is used to investigate three different chute designs for the charging of a blast furnace. The three chutes differ in the proportion of the chute that is either smooth or contains rock boxes. The uniformity of the delivery of burden materials is assessed as the burden passes through a 2D plane is used to determine the relative merits of the three designs. The chute composed entirely of rock boxes was predicted to provide the most homogeneous delivery of material to the top of the blast furnace according to the above criterion. Choice of chute design is discussed with reference to the historical movement away from the older ledge-charging strategies to the more modern chimney-charging strategies.

Schematic diagram showing predicted burden delivery distribution form a full-scale 3D DEM model for a blast furnace.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Discrete element method
• blast furnace
• chute design
• burden distribution

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Thanks are extended to Tata Steel UK for their assistance throughout this project and for funding provided through the STRIP (Steel Training Research and Innovation Partnership) scheme. STRIP has been made possible by the EU Convergence European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.