On a Reaction Model of the Oxygen Steelmaking Process

Abstract

A mathematical model (resistance model) has been developed by assuming that reaction rates of the oxygen steelmaking process are limited by the mass transfer which is affected by the bath mixing caused by the jetted oxygen and the generated CO gas. The characteristics of this model are discussed through the comparison between the NRIM continuous steelmaking process and BOF process for the probale range of values of resistance coefficients and oxygen deliverly ratio, both being the essential factors in the model. As a consequence, it becomes clear that the resistance coefficient is independant on the furnace size and takes a value of practically constant range for each reaction.
Simulated results of single (1 lance) and 2 (2 lances) staged co- and counter-current continuous steelmaking processes, BOF and VOD can be regarded to represent the characteristics of each process.
From the foregoings, the assumption that the gas flow rates have an important role for the bath mixing can provide a valuable aid to understand the steelmaking reaction kinetics.