Simulation of Burdens in Blast Furnace Using On-line Mathematical Simulator

Abstract

A hybrid blast furnace simulator has been developed on the basis of mathematical model and experiments by combining differential fixed-bed reactor and micro computers. Assuming that the burden and gas phase moved counter-currently in the blast furnace, the experimental conditions were calculated in real time by putting in situ measured rates of reduction and solution loss to the differential equations of mass and heat balance, and the new experimental conditions were set at next stage. The simulation was performed by repeating the sequence.
(1) If simulation conditions were set up so as to fit the burdens, the simulation successfully proceeded and the longitudinal distribution of process variables in B.F. could be expected precisely according to the reactivity of burdens.
(2) When the operations with pellet and sinter were simulated, thermal reserve zone was longer and smelting reduction began at lower temperatures for the former than for the latter.
(3) With lower coke rate, reduction hardly proceeded and burden was heated up during short descending. On the other hand, with higher coke rate, although reduction proceeded fast, burdens remained at low temperatures.