Causes of Particle Trajectory Fluctuation on the Rotating Chute in Circumferential Direction at Bell-less Top with Parallel Type Hoppers

Abstract

Uneven burden distribution at bell-less top has a negative influence on the smooth operation of blast furnace with parallel type hoppers. Although previous works agreed that the initially oval-shaped particle trajectory on the chute causes the above-mentioned segregation, the subsequent particle trajectory fluctuation against the circumferential direction was still not fully understood. As a result, this work employs both the discrete element method (DEM) simulation and the theoretical model calculation, to quantitatively elucidate the causes of particle fluctuating behaviors on the rotating chute. The consistent results show that, on the one hand, a sine-like particle velocity distribution causes the Coriolis force to have a maximum magnitude around 120 deg while a minimum around 300 deg in the circumferential direction. On the other hand, the alternately sparse and intensive granular flow on the chute causes the particle mass flow rate to present a sine-like result with a maximum rate around 220 deg while a minimum around 60 deg. The superposition of two results contributes to the particle trajectory fluctuation on the rotating chute in the circumferential direction at bell-less top with parallel type hoppers.