Mathematical Model of Hearth and Bottom Erosion in Blast Furnace

Furnace lining erosion is closely related to the operation stability and safety. The detection technology for hearth lining thickness of blast furnace was introduced.By using the data of thermocouples installed in the bottom of furnace hearth,a mathematical model of erosion was established; the real state of the hearth and bottom erosion was studied; the erosion condition was followed,serving for the furnace longevity.

Numerical simulation for the lower shaft and the hearth bottom of blast furnace

One of the methods forming the shell is to appropriately design the coolingstaves and hearth without overheating during the campaign life of the furnace. The three-dimensionalsteady mathematical models for calculating the temperature distribution in the coolers andtwo-dimensional unsteady mathematical models with phase-change latent heat for calculating thetemperature distribution of the hearth bottom were established. The calculation results show thatthe formation of the slag-metal protection shell can be achieved by optimizing the design parametersof the coolers. Increasing the heat conductivity of the carbon brick can move the isothermal lineof 1150 deg C upward outside the hearth bottom.

Optimization for the structure of BF hearth bottom and the arrangement of thermal couples

The hearth of “heat transfer method” and the ceramic cup synthetic hearth bottom of “heart isolation method” are two most popular designs for blast furnace (BF). Although there are successful real examples, some disadvantages, for instance large heat loss and high cost, still exist for these designs. According to the theory of heat transfer, based on the calculation of temperature distribution of the hearth bottom, it is elucidated that all brick layers at the hearth bottom may not be considered as the only reason why different structures exhibited different temperature distributions although total heat resistance is the same, and then based on the effect of hot metal and cold water on different temperature distribution ranges, the concepts of “heat resistance” and “cooling enhancement” are put forth. Based on this, the disadvantages and the factors affecting temperature distribution, of the two types of hearth bottoms were illustrated. On the basis of these analyses, a novel structure for BF hearth bottom designing that can easily form “self-protecting” slag layer stably, called “the method of gradient brick layout that has an optimum combination of cooling enhancement and heat resistance” was proposed; it can not only prolong the hearth bottom longevity but also reduce the cost and heat loss. Also, the optimum arrangement of thermal couples in hearth bottom was suggested based on the previous studies on erosion prediction carried out by the author.

Erosion Mechanism of Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC Castables for Lining Maintenance in Blast Furnace Hearths

Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC castables,for the relining of BF hearths in mid-campaign repair,were sampled and investigated after two years’service.The chemical and mineralogical characteristics of the residual castables were analyzed by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry to study the erosion mechanism.The results show that as gaseous K diffuses in the castables,leucite(KAlSi_(2)O_(8))and multiple cracks are formed.Molten iron and slag penetrate through the cracks to form anorthite([Ca,Na][Al,Si]_(4)O_(8))and iron,which will not form an embrittlement layer similar to carbon bricks.The entire repair of the hearth with Al_(2)O_(3)-SiC castables combined with the design of thin-wall lining hearth eliminates“elephant foot shaped”erosion,greatly prolonging the service life of the hearth lining.

Optimization for the structure of BF hearth bottom and the arrangement of thermal couples

The hearth of ＂heat transfer method＂ and the ceramic cup synthetic hearth bottom of ＂heart isolation method＂ are two most popular designs for blast furnace （BF）. Although there are successful real examples, some disadvantages, for instance large heat loss and high cost, still exist for these designs. According to the theory of heat transfer, based on the calculation of temperature distribution of the hearth bottom, it is elucidated that all brick layers at the hearth bottom may not be considered as the only reason why different structures exhibited different temperature distributions although total heat resistance is the same, and then based on the effect of hot metal and cold water on different temperature distribution ranges, the concepts of ＂heat resistance＂ and ＂cooling enhancement＂ are put forth. Based on this, the disadvantages and the factors affecting temperature distribution, of the two types of hearth bottoms were illustrated. On the basis of these analyses, a novel structure for BF hearth bottom designing that can easily form ＂self-protecting＂ slag layer stably, called ＂the method of gradient brick layout that has an optimum combination of cooling enhancement and heat resistance＂ was proposed; it can not only prolong the hearth bottom longevity but also reduce the cost and heat loss. Also, the optimum arrangement of thermal couples in hearth bottom was suggested based on the previous studies on erosion prediction carried out by the author.

Development and Introduction of Monitoring System of Refractory Lining Wear in Blast Furnace Hearth

To diagnose the lining condition of the blast furnace hearth during its campaign, are widely used methods based on the analysis of the temperature characteristics of the refractory lining. Measurement of the temperature characteristics is performed by means of a few hundred thermocouples placed inside the refractory lining. The peculiarity of proposed and used mathematical models is a fully three-dimensional assessment of the refractory lining, presence mechanisms of adaptation to the actual thermal conductivity of refractories and optimization calculations to the work in the on-line mode. The new monitoring systems of the lining wear of the blast furnace hearth are established on 5 blast furnaces of integrated iron-and-steel works of China： No.4 by volume 3,200 m3 of “Jinan Iron ＆ Steel Company” in Jinan （683 thermocouples）, No.2 by volume 1,080 m3 of “Henan Jiyuan Iron ＆ Steel （Group） Company” in Jiyuan （212 thermocouples）, No.4 by volume 2,500 m3 of “Guangxi Liuzhou Iron ＆ Steel （Group） Company” in Liuzhou （383 thermocouples）, No.3 by volume 1,750 m3 of “Jinan Iron ＆ Steel Company” in Jinan （524 thermocouples）; No.1 by volume 1,750 m3 of “Jinan Iron ＆ Steel Company” in Jinan （524 thermocouples）.

Study on the early warning mechanism for the security of blast furnace hearths

The campaign life of blast furnace （BF） hearths has become the limiting factor for safety and high efficiency production of modern BFs. However, the early warning mechanism of hearth security has not been clear. In this article, based on heat transfer calculations, heat flux and erosion monitoring, the features of heat flux and erosion were analyzed and compared among different types of hearths. The primary detecting elements, mathematical models, evaluating standards, and warning methods were discussed. A novel early warning mechanism with the three-level quantificational standards was proposed for BF hearth security.

Formation mechanism of the protective layer in a blast furnace hearth

A variety of techniques, such as chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, were applied to characterize the adhesion protective layer formed below the blast furnace taphole level when a certain amount of titanium-bearing burden was used. Samples of the protective layer were extracted to identify the chemical composition, phase assemblage, andistribution. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of the protective layer was determined after clarifying the source of each componenFinally, a technical strategy was proposed for achieving a stable protective layer in the hearth. The results show that the protective layemainly exists in a bilayer form in the sidewall, namely, a titanium-bearing layer and a graphite layer. Both the layers contain the slag phaswhose major crystalline phase is magnesium melilite（Ca2Mg Si2O7） and the main source of the slag phase is coke ash. It is clearly determinethat solid particles such as graphite, Ti（C,N） and Mg Al2O4play an important role in the formation of the protective layer, and the key factofor promoting the formation of a stable protective layer is reasonable control of the evolution behavior of coke.

Numerical simulation of the direct reduction of pellets in a rotary hearth furnace for zinc-containing metallurgical dust treatment

A mathematical model was established to describe the direct reduction of pellets in a rotary hearth furnace （RHF）. In the model, heat transfer, mass transfer, and gas-solid chemical reactions were taken into account. The behaviors of iron metallization and dezincification were analyzed by the numerical method, which was validated by experimental data of the direct reduction of pellets in a Si-Mo furnace. The simulation results show that if the production targets of iron metallization and dezincification are up to 80% and 90%, respectively, the furnace temperature for high-temperature sections must be set higher than 1300~ C. Moreover, an undersupply of secondary air by 20% will lead to a decline in iron metallization rate of discharged pellets by 10% and a decrease in dezincing rate by 13%. In addition, if the residence time of pellets in the furnace is over 20 min, its further extension will hardly lead to an obvious increase in production indexes under the same furnace temperature curve.

Formation mechanism of the graphite-rich protective layer in blast furnace hearths

A long campaign life of blast furnaces is heavily linked to the existence of a protective layer in their hearths. In this work, we conducted dissection studies and investigated damage in blast furnace hearths to estimate the formation mechanism of the protective layer. The results illustrate that a significant amount of graphite phase was trapped within the hearth protective layer. Furthermore, on the basis of the thermodynamic and kinetic calculations of the graphite precipitation process, a precipitation potential index related to the formation of the graphite-rich protective layer was proposed to characterize the formation ability of this layer. We determined that, under normal operating conditions, the precipitation of graphite phase ~om hot metal was thermodynamically possible. Among elements that exist in hot metal, C, Si, and P favor graphite precipitation, whereas Mn and Cr inhibit this process. Moreover, at the same hot-face temperature, an increase of carbon concentration in hot metal can shorten the precipitation time. Finally, the results suggest that measures such as reducing the hot-face tem- perature and increasing the degree of carbon saturation in hot metal are critically important to improve the precipitation potential index.

Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow in Blast Furnace Hearth

The liquid flow in blast furnace hearth can result in the erosion of hearth. To prolong the campaign life of blast furnace, the effects of coke bed structure, coke porosity and deepness of taphole on liquid flow in hearth were studied by re model under different conditions. The results show that with the decrease of coke porosity, the peripheral flow is enhanced. Moreover, the existence of narrow coke free zone and the deepness reduction of taphole can increase the flowability on the bottom of hearth.

Investigation on the relationship between hearth wall erosion and deadman permeability for large blast furnaces

In this study, the relationship between hearth wall erosion and deadman permeability was investigated based on the change in the hearth bottom and hearth sidewall temperatures. Additionally, the operation practice for controlling hearth wall erosion in the large No. 1 blast furnace at Baosteel was also investigated. The reasons for the decrease in the permeability of deadman coke were analyzed, and measures for improving the permeability of deadman coke and controlling hearth wall temperature rising were described. The results show that a decrease in deadman coke permeability is the main reason for refractory temperature increase and hearth wall erosion. This indicates the importance of monitoring changes in hearth working conditions and taking appropriate measures to maintain sufficient permeability of the deadman and balance the hot metal flow and drainage of slag. At this rate, the decline in the hearth bottom temperature and fast rising of the hearth wall temperature can be restrained.

Preparation of ZnO Nanoparticles from Zn-containing Rotary Hearth Furnace Dust

To solve the problem of the low added value Zn-containing rotary hearth furnace(RHF)dust,two deep eutectic solvents(DESs)were employed,such as choline chloride-urea(ChCl-urea)and choline chloride-oxalic acid dihydrate(CC-OA)solvent and Zn-containing RHF dust(water-washed)as the research target.Then,we prepared ZnO nanoparticles using two DESs or their combination,namely,ChCl-urea(Method A),CC-OA(Method B),first CC-OA and then ChCl-urea(Method B-A)and first ChCl-urea and then CCOA(Method A-B),respectively.The effects of these methods on the properties of as-obtained precursors and ZnO nanoparticles were investigated in detail.The results indicated that the precursor obtained by Method A was Zn_(4)CO_(3)(OH)_(6)·H_(2)O,and those by Methods B,B-A,and A-B were all ZnC_(2)O_(4)·2H_(2)O.Moreover,the decomposition steps of the last three methods were similar.The ZnO contents of 95.486%,99.768%,99.733%,and 99.76%were obtained by Methods A,B,B-A,and A-B,respectively.Methods A,B,and B-A led to the formation of spherical and agglomerated ZnO nanoparticles with normal size distributions,where Method B showed the best distribution with an average diameter 25 nm.The ZnO nanoparticles obtained by the Method A-B did not possess good properties.

Zonal method solution of radiative heat transfer in a one-dimensional long roller-hearth furnace in CSP

A radiative heat transfer mathematical model for a one-dimensional long furnace was set up in a through-type roller-hearth furnace （TTRHF） in compact strip production （CSP）. To accurately predict the heat exchange in the furnace, modeling of the complex gas energy-balance equation in volume zones was considered, and the heat transfer model of heating slabs and wall lines was coupled with the radiative heat transfer model to identify the surface zonal temperature. With numerical simulation, the temperature fields of gas, slabs, and wall lines in the furnace under one typical working condition were carefully accounted and analyzed. The fundamental theory for analyzing the thermal process in TI＇RI-IF was provided.

Experimental study on influence of blade angle and particle size on particle mechanics on a batch-operated single floor of a multiple hearth furnace

In industry,multiple hearth furnaces are used for the thermal treatment of particulate material.The current contribution concentrates on the experimental analysis of particle mechanics for a batch-operated single floor of a multiple hearth furnace.The particles are agitated on the circular floor by a single,rotating rabble arm equipped with three flat rabble blades of 10 mm thickness.The blade angle,defined as the angle,which the blade is inclined against the tangential direction,is varied from 0°to 90°.A single layer of spherical polyoxymethylene(POM)particles with three different diameters(5,10 and 20 mm)is placed on the floor.To analyze the results,two parameters have been extracted from image analysis when the bed of particles is agitated,first,the area not covered by particles and second,the frequency distribution of the mean distance among the particles.The particle free surface area increases with the inclination of the blades.The evolution of the particle free surface area differs for the different particle diameters.In general,the maximum particle free area for all blade angles is the largest for the 5 mm particles followed by the 20 mm particles.For the 10 mm particles,the particle free surface area starts for a blade angle of 0°at larger values than for the 20 mm particles but the values fall below the values for the 20 mm particles for larger blade angles.The reason for this behavior is discussed in detail.The mean distance among the particles is a parameter characterizing the length scales dominating the effects on the floor.The frequency distribution of the mean distance among particles provides infor-mation about the morphology of the particle bulk,for example,whether the free surface area is inter-spersed with particles.

Cooling Water Flow Rate Calculation for Hearth of Large Blast Furnaces

The cooling water flow rate for hearth of large blast furnaces was calculated by simulation. The results show that the cooling water flow rate shall be above 4 200m3/ h for hearth of large blast furnaces; to meet requirements of the increasing smelting intensity and to ensure the safety at the end of the first campaign,the designed maximum cooling water flow rate should be 5 900m3/ h; according to the flow distribution stability and the calculated resistance loss,hearth cooling stave pipes with the specification of 76 mm × 6 mm shall be adopted to assure the flow velocity in pipes of hearth cooling stave in the range of 1. 9- 2. 3 m / s.

Influence of furnace temperature and non-uniform heat flux density on direct reduction process of newly designed carbon containing pellet

In this study,innovative ellipsoid pellet with craters on its surface was designed,and the direct reduction process was compared with ellipsoid(without craters)and sphere pellets.In addition,furnace temperature and uneven heat flux density effects on the pellet direct reduction process were also studied.The results show that ellipsoid pellet is better than that of spherical pellet on metallization ratio.However,under the condition of non-uniform heat flow,the ellipsoid pellet final metallization rate and zinc removal rate were lower.Although the heat transfer effect of ellipsoid pellet with craters was not improved significantly,the metallization rate and zinc removal rate were found improved,which will have a cumulative effect on the pellets direct reduction process in rotary hearth furnace.Under varying furnace temperature conditions,the pellet temperature was higher than that of the constant furnace temperature.After 1200 s,pellet Fe concentration increased to 123.6%,metallization rate and zinc removal rate increased to 113.7%and 102.2%,respectively.These results can provide references for the carbon-containing pellet design used in rotary hearth furnace.

Mechanism of zinc damaging to blast furnace tuyere refractory

The phenomena of tuyere upward-warp have been found at No.6 blast furnace in Kunming Steel Company China after its blow-in, which has made a great impact on the practical production of the furnace. Thus, a number of efforts have been made to elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon. The results of investigation and tests revealed that the enrichment and expansion of zinc in the tuyere bricks is the main factor leading to the tuyere upward-warp. The eroding behavior of zinc is that the inner structure of the tuyere bricks turns from dense to loose with entering, enriching and expanding of zinc, which forms spot-like→stripe-like→ditch-like→vein-like→tumorlike eroding passage. Additionally, it is found that the sequence of deleterious ele- ments entering the tuyere refractory is K, Na, Zn and Pb, respectively. Finally, the phenomena and process of zinc crystallization and growth in the refractory have been clearly observed and recorded during this investigation.

Mathematical model of the direct reduction of dust composite pellets containing zinc and iron

Direct reduction of dust composite pellets containing zinc and iron was examined by simulating the conditions of actual production process of a rotary hearth furnace （RHF） in laboratory. A mathematical model was constructed to study the reduction kinetics of iron oxides and ZnO in the dust composite pellets. It was validated by comparing the calculated values with experimental results. The effects of furnace temperature, pellet radius, and pellet porosity on the reduction were investigated by the model. It is shown that furnace temperature has obvious influence on both of the reduction of iron oxides and ZnO, but the influence of pellet radius and porosity is much smaller. Model calculations suggest that both of the reduction of iron oxides and ZnO are under mixed control with interface reactions and Boudouard reaction in the early stage, but only with interface reactions in the later stage.

Residence time distribution of wood chips in a semi-industrial multiple hearth furnace using RFID tracers Author links open overlay panel

In continuous biomass torrefaction plants,the products'yields,composition and homogeneity highly depend on the residence time of particles.A characterization of particle residence time distribution(RTD)was therefore carried out in an industrial-scale multiple hearth furnace on poplar wood chips using radio frequency identification tracers.The effects of operating conditions,namely,mass flow rate of biomass,shaft speed of the rabbling system and interdental length on the RTD were studied.The increase of shaft speed and mass flow rate reduces particles’mean residence time.Lowering the length between two successive teeth also increases the bed speed.Uncontrollable biomass accumulation(also called“bulldozing”)was observed during several tests.This phenomenon is favored by a high mass flow rate of resources,a small interdental length between the teeth and a low shaft speed.RTD measurements were compared to the axial dispersion model.For all tests,the Peclet number is ranging between 20 and 62,indicating that the multiple hearth furnace cannot be modelled as an ideal plug flow reactor.