Simulation and Application of Bottom-Blowing in Electrical Arc Furnace Steelmaking Process

Abstract

Characteristics of flow field and stirring effects of six kinds of bottom-blowing arrangements on the molten bath were researched in a 75 t electrical arc furnace. The mixing time was measured by water experiment under different flow rates. Flow field characteristics of three-phase flow were simulated by Fluent software. At the tested conditions for the 75 t EAF, it was found that increasing flow rate, weakening impeding force of sidewall and improving stirring effect on the molten bath in EBT (Eccentric Bottom Tapping) region would decrease mixing time and improve stirring ability. Moreover, the flow velocity of molten steel was higher which was near surface of molten bath or near bottom of furnace. Compared with no bottom-blowing conditions at industrial application research, it showed that the bottom-blowing could stir molten better in steelmaking process for the 75 t EAF, which agreed well with the experimental results of the water experiments and the numerical simulations. Finally, an optimum bottom-blowing arrangement was determined.