Numerical Simulation of Gas–Liquid
Flow Mixing Effect in Bottom-Blown
Bath
Dong-bo Li, Peng Li, Xin Yao, Cheng Liu and Ze-shang Dong
Abstract In order to clarify the stirring mechanism of a bottom-blown bath, the
volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase flow model was used to simulate the gas–liquid
two-phase flow process. The simulation results were verified by water model test, and
the influence of gas–liquid mixed melt process was analyzed. The results show that
the separation effect of matte is better when the injection angle is between 15° and
22.5°. When the gas velocity is 70 m/s, the gas stirring radius is 1 m, so the distance
between the oxygen lance and the furnace wall is 1–1.5 m, which can ensure that the
furnace wall is not washed by excessive melt. The optimum spacing of the oxygen
lance is controlled at 2–3 m, the distribution of oxygen lances is more reasonable,
the effect of bath agitation is better, and the splash caused by excessive bath agitation
is prevented.
Keywords Bottom-blown bath · Gas–liquid mixing · VOF model · Numerical
simulation
Introduction
Because of the complicated gas–liquid mixing flow process in a bottom-blown molten
bath, there are many difficulties in its theoretical research. However, with the rapid
development of computing technology in recent years, the research on the stirring
mechanism of bottom-blown molten baths has gradually increased. At present, the
research on bottom-blown molten baths is mainly based on numerical simulation to
explore the influence of gas flow rate, oxygen lance structure, oxygen lance diameter,
and injection angle on the melt flow in the molten bath. For example, Li et al. [1,
2] simulated the gas–liquid-slag three-phase flow process of a bottom blowing ladle
based on VOF multiphase flow and standard k-ε turbulence model and explored the
relationship between the bottom blowing gas flow rate and the dimensionless area
of the slag hole and melt flow near the slag hole. Zhang et al. [3, 4] established a
D. Li · P. Li · X. Yao (B) · C. Liu · Z. Dong
China ENFI Engineering Technology Co. LTD, Beijing 100038, China
e-mail: yaoxin@enfi.com.cn
© The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2020
A. Siegmund et al. (eds.), PbZn 2020: 9th International Symposium
on Lead and Zinc Processing, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37070-1_3
31
Flow Mixing Effect in Bottom-Blown
Bath
Dong-bo Li, Peng Li, Xin Yao, Cheng Liu and Ze-shang Dong
Abstract In order to clarify the stirring mechanism of a bottom-blown bath, the
volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase flow model was used to simulate the gas–liquid
two-phase flow process. The simulation results were verified by water model test, and
the influence of gas–liquid mixed melt process was analyzed. The results show that
the separation effect of matte is better when the injection angle is between 15° and
22.5°. When the gas velocity is 70 m/s, the gas stirring radius is 1 m, so the distance
between the oxygen lance and the furnace wall is 1–1.5 m, which can ensure that the
furnace wall is not washed by excessive melt. The optimum spacing of the oxygen
lance is controlled at 2–3 m, the distribution of oxygen lances is more reasonable,
the effect of bath agitation is better, and the splash caused by excessive bath agitation
is prevented.
Keywords Bottom-blown bath · Gas–liquid mixing · VOF model · Numerical
simulation
Introduction
Because of the complicated gas–liquid mixing flow process in a bottom-blown molten
bath, there are many difficulties in its theoretical research. However, with the rapid
development of computing technology in recent years, the research on the stirring
mechanism of bottom-blown molten baths has gradually increased. At present, the
research on bottom-blown molten baths is mainly based on numerical simulation to
explore the influence of gas flow rate, oxygen lance structure, oxygen lance diameter,
and injection angle on the melt flow in the molten bath. For example, Li et al. [1,
2] simulated the gas–liquid-slag three-phase flow process of a bottom blowing ladle
based on VOF multiphase flow and standard k-ε turbulence model and explored the
relationship between the bottom blowing gas flow rate and the dimensionless area
of the slag hole and melt flow near the slag hole. Zhang et al. [3, 4] established a
D. Li · P. Li · X. Yao (B) · C. Liu · Z. Dong
China ENFI Engineering Technology Co. LTD, Beijing 100038, China
e-mail: yaoxin@enfi.com.cn
© The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2020
A. Siegmund et al. (eds.), PbZn 2020: 9th International Symposium
on Lead and Zinc Processing, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37070-1_3
31