1990 Volume 30 Issue 3 Pages 208-215
Formation behavior of coke non-packed regions (free space) in a blast furnace hearth was analyzed using a two-dimensional cold model of a blast furnace. Based on the obtained results, the influence of the free space shape, the packed structure of dead-man and the depth of a taphole on the hot metal flow and the heat transfer in the blast furnace hearth was examined by numerical calculation.
The results obtained are summarized as follows;
(1) An upward motion of hearth coke towards the raceway occurs due to the rising of stored molten iron level. This motion results in formation of free space at the corner of a hearth.
(2) The shape of free space and the packed structure of dead-man significantly affect the hot metal flow and the heat transfer in a hearth.
(3) Circumferential flow in a hearth is caused by the presence of free space. As a result, refractories opposite to a taphole in the corner of the hearth bottom are subjected to significant heat loads.
(4) If the dimensionless depth of a taphole (I/R (I; depth of a taphole from inner wall of a hearth, R; hearth radius)) is 0.33 which is almost equal to that in usual blast furnaces, refractories at an angle of 30° with a taphole horizontally are subjected to significant heat loads.
