Numerical modelling of iron flow and heat transfer in blast furnace hearth

Abstract

The erosion of hearth refractories is widely recognised as the main limitation for a long campaign blast furnace life. Distributions of liquid iron flow and refractory temperatures have a significant influence on hearth wear. In this investigation, a comprehensive computational fluid dynamics model is described which predicts the fluid flow and heat transfer in the hearth; specifically, the flow and temperature distributions in the liquid iron melt, and temperature distributions in the refractories. The accuracy and representativeness of the model was evaluated using plant data from BHP Steel's Port Kembla no. 5 blast furnace and OneSteel's Whyalla no. 2 blast furnace. Generally, there is good agreement between measured and calculated refractory temperature profiles. A series of sensitivity tests provided cause-effect relationships between operational and fluid flow parameters (floating deadman, different extent of refractory erosion, presence of embrittled layer).