Fluid Flow in Ladle and Its Effect on Decarburization Rate in RH Degasser

Abstract

Theoretical and experimental studies were carried out to quantitatively understand the effect of fluid flow on the decarburization reaction rate in an RH degasser. Hydrodynamic calculations on fluid flow in the ladle were proved reasonable by a cold model experiment. The decarburization model in conjunction with the fluid flow by hydrodynamic calculations in the ladle made it clear that the decarburization rate obtained from this model was faster than that for perfectly mixed flow, and slower than that for plug flow when the same parameters were used for the calculations. The decarburization model enabled us to predict the concentration distribution of carbon in the ladle during an RH treatment. The maximum carbon content, which was found in the recirculating zone in the ladle, reached about twice the minimum value obtained in the region just below the down-leg. No dead zone existed which would disturb the decarburization rate in the process, and it was also made clear that the shape of ladle had little effect on the decarburization rate.