CFD modelling of gas injections in top submerged lance smelting
Abstract
A Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling of gas injections in a top submerged lance smelting unit was developed and the effect of lance submergence and air flow rate was investigated and calibrated against water model data. The simulation results were validated against existing experimental data generated for Ausmelt in the past by comparing the velocity fields and generation of turbulence in the bath. In the present study, water was used as the modelling fluid and air was used as the injected gas to have an understanding of the mixing process. The simulation result showed that 2/3 lance submergence level gives better mixing and high liquid velocities for generation of better turbulence inside the bath and the value is twice as compared to 1/3 submergence level. From the simulation result, it was observed that there was non uniform generation of turbulence in the bath and high air flow rate provides high axial velocities, hence better agitation to improve the mixing. The CFD software used for this purpose was FIRE 8.52 and forms the basis now to expand the model to industrial furnace scenarios.