A two-particle reaction model proposed by one of the authors was discussed on the basis of available information and then used to simulate oxygen pressure profiles along the reaction shaft. In the simulation an equilibrium state between reacted particles and gas phase was assumed. Oxygen pressure profiles obtained by equilibrium calculations were compared with those measured in a commercial furnace.
The following results were obtained.
1. The two-particle model can explain quantitatively the decreasing profiles of oxygen pressure along the reaction shaft.
2 The calculated results show that the oxygen pressure of the molten particles flying downwards in the shaft approaches quickly to the oxygen pressure of the slag stored in the settler when the unreacted particle ratio decreases rapidly in the upper zone of the shaft. As predicted by the two particle model, a concentrate burner showing such a tendency in the oxygen pressure profile was found to have good operating results in terms of dust generation.
3. In designing a concentrate burner, it is indispensable to take mutual reaction of the particles in the shaft into consideration.
