Abstract
A three-dimensional scale model which simulates the motion of a deadman in a blast furnace was used as the experimental apparatus. The floating and sinking movement and the bottom shape of the deadman were investigated. The effects of factors such as furnace bottom shape and liquid level on the deadman behavior were examined.
When the water level moved up or down, the movement of the deadman bottom center lagged behind the change in water level. When the deadman touched the furnace bottom before floating, floating of the deadman started earlier with air injection from the tuyere than without it.
In the condition without blast from the tuyere, the initial shape was almost unaffected even if one of the factors such as water level, a load on the deadman, or exhaust of particles was changed as a variable. In contrast, in the condition with blast from the tuyere, when particles were exhausted simultaneously with water supply or drainage, the deadman bottom gradually rose up toward the furnace wall.
Measures for floating or sinking of the deadman in an actual blast furnace were evaluated from the balance between solid load and buoyancy. In some cases a negative correlation was found between the calculated sinking depth and the center temperature of furnace bottom with some time delay. In other cases, a negative correlation was not found. It was considered that when a deadman behaves in a specific manner, it may affect the temperature of furnace bottom through the liquid flow in the hearth region.
