Considerations for the design of gas stirring in ladle metallurgy

This paper is concerned with the design and operational aspects of gas stirring conditions in ladle metallurgy. A previous mathematical model for the features resulting from steel-slag interactions is validated with available experimental data from industrial steel ladles, and the utility of the model for process analysis is discussed. The treatment is generalized by employing similarity analysis. This methodology is used to correlate design parameters such as freeboard allowance, aspect ratio and placement of gas injectors with permissible gas flowrates. The analysis aids operators in selecting process conditions. It can also be used to make proper comparisons between ladle stations and to benchmark operations.