Hybrid Neural Network Model for RH Vacuum Refining Process Control

A hybrid neural network model,in which RH process(theoretical)model is combined organically with neural network(NN)and case-base reasoning(CBR),was established.The CBR method was used to select the operation mode and the RH operational guide parameters for different steel grades according to the initial conditions of molten steel,and a three-layer BP neural network was adopted to deal with nonlinear factors for improving and compensating the limitations of technological model for RH process control and end-point prediction.It was verified that the hybrid neural network is effective for improving the precision and calculation efficiency of the model.

Physical Modeling of the Vacuum Circulation Refining Process of Molten Steel

The available studies in the literature on physical modeling of the vacuum circulation (RH, i.e. Ruhrstahl Heraeus) refining process of molten steel have briefly been reviewed. The latest advances made by the author with his research group have been summarized. Water modeling was employed to investigate the flow and mixing characteristics of molten steel under the RH and RH KTB (Kawasaki top blowing) conditions and the mass transfer features between molten steel and powder particles in the RH PTB (powder top blowing) refining. The geometric similarity ratio between the model and its prototype (a multifunction RH degasser of 90 t capacity) was 1:5. The effects of the related technological and structural factors were considered. These latest studies have revealed the flow and mixing characteristics of molten steel and the mass transfer features between molten steel and powder particles in these processes, and have provided a better understanding of the refining processes of molten steel.

Numerical Simulation of Recirculating Flow and Decarburization in RH Vacuum Refining Degasser

Based on the principle of RH process and the mechanism of decarburization, a three-dimensional mathematical model to represent the flow and decarburization of molten steel was established. The model was verified and the effect of operating parameters on the process was investigated.

Mathematical Modeling of the Vacuum Circulation Refining Process of Molten Steel

The available studies in the literature on mathematical modeling of the vacuum circulation (RH) refining process of molten steel have briefly been reviewed. The latest advances obtained by the author with his research group have been summarized. On the basis of the mass and momentum balances in the system, a new mathematical model for decarburization and degassing during the RH and RH KTB refining processes of molten steel was proposed and developed. The refining roles of the three reaction sites, i.e. the up snorkel zone, the droplet group and steel bath in the vacuum vessel, were considered in the model. It was assumed that the mass transfer of reactive components in the molten steel is the rate control step of the refining reactions. And the friction losses and drags of flows in the snorkels and vacuum vessel were all counted. The model was applied to the refining of molten steel in a multifunction RH degasser of 90 t capacity. The decarburization and degassing processes in the degasser under the RH and RH KTB operating conditions were modeled and analyzed using this model. Besides, proceeded from the two resistance mass transfer theory and the mass balance of sulphur in the system, a kinetic model for the desulphurization by powder injection and blowing in the RH refining of molten steel was developed. Modeling and predictions of the process of injecting and blowing the lime based powder flux under assumed operating modes with the different initial contents of sulphur and amounts of powder injected and blown in a RH degasser of 300 t capacity were carried out using the model. It was demonstrated that for the RH and RH KTB refining processes, and the desulphurization by powder injection and blowing in the RH refining, the results predicted by the models were all in good agreement respectively with data from industrial experiments and practice. These models may be expected to offer some useful information and a reliable basis for determining and optimizing the technologies of the RH and RH KTB refining and desulphurization by powder injection and blowing in the RH refining and for controlling the processes.

Phosphorus Removal from Metallurgical-Grade Silicon by Vacuum Arc Refining

Phosphorus is very difficult to remove during the purifying of metallurgical-grade silicon by metallurgical method.In this paper,phosphorus evaporation removal by vacuum arc furnace with electromagnetic stirring was investigated in vacuum weak oxidation atmosphere.The effects of refining time,electromagnetic stirring treatment and initial phosphorus content on the removal behavior of phosphorus in metallurgical-grade silicon were studied in detial. The result shows that the reduction of phosphorus using vacuum arc refining method was very obvious,especially in the first 10 minutes,and the removal rate of phosphorus increased with the refining time.Electromagnetic stirring is also benefit to the removal of phosphorus evaporation,which can be attributed to the improved mobility of phosphorus element from the internal to the surface(i.e.,improved kinetics condition)of melt.It was also observed that high purity sample could be obtained in the initial materials with low phosphorus content.

Numerical Simulation for Induction Refining Process of Metallurgical-Grade Silicon in Vacuum Furnace

The temperature and velocity distribution of melting pool fields is very important effect to the silicon purification in vacuum induction furnace.A numerical model for the electromagnetic-thermal-hydrodynamic coupling fields have been developed by using the finite element method(FEM)and a 2D numerical simulation for electromagnetic、 temperature and velocity fields of metallurgical-grade silicon melting in vacuum induction furnace were performed with a software Multi-physics Comsol 3.5a in this paper.The results showed that the temperature field was dependent observably on input power of coils and induction heating times and the maximum temperature gradient in melting pool was 215K in holding time.With the silicon molted gradually a clockwise vortex was come into being for electromagnetic stirring in the smelting poor.The variation of velocity field in melting silicon is mainly influenced with the change of the current intensity and power frequency.The numerical predications of temperature distribution are in good agreement with experiments.

Characteristics of Iron Droplet Ejection Caused by Gas Bubble Bursting Under Reduced Pressure

Bursting of gas bubbles on the free surface of liquid iron produces iron droplets that are ejected into the surrounding atmosphere. The influence of the freeboard pressure on gas bubble bursting was investigated by collecting and measuring the formed droplets in water and in liquid iron systems. In water model, it was found that gas bubbles expanded markedly during the floating up when the freeboard was evacuated but the influence of the freeboard pressure on the mass of ejection is not significant when the freeboard pressure varied from 0.01 to 0.1 MPa. Besides, in steel melt, the mass of ejection was increased by 2--3 times when the pressure was reduced from atmospheric pressure to 66.5 Pa.