Experimental and numerical investigation of the multiphase flow in the water model of a steel ladle as basis for the enhancement of multiphase flow models in computational fluid dynamics of metallurgical reactors

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Herbert Pfeifer, since 11/2017
• Subject Area: Fluid Mechanics ; Metallurgical, Thermal and Thermomechanical Treatment of Materials
• Term: from 2016 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 311018762

Increasing demands of the industry for high performance steels of highest purity and homogeneous optimal technological properties for components to increase the product life, require a comprehensive understanding of the processes in secondary metallurgy. This provides opportunities to improve the plant productivity and the product quality.A detailed knowledge of the multiphase flow in the water model of a ladle according to various parameters enhances the basic understanding of the process and its influencing factors. Furthermore, the achieved data can be used as a validation basis for the further development of numerical models describing the flow in the ladle. During investigations of an AOD converter CFD-models have been validated by water model experiments. It was found that after the transfer to the real process, these models are able to reproduce the characteristics of the lift free jet. It was also shown that influencing parameters in the water model affected the real process in the same way.This research project aims to understand the basic mechanisms of the formation of the heterogeneous lift free jet and the resulting flow in the ladle. This knowledge will be applied to the development of numerical models describing the reactor in the field of multiphase flow. Especially a comprehensive research of the numerical description of multiphase flows in metallurgical reactors is essential. Numerical models validated with modern experimental methods are not very common in literature.Within the research project various influencing factors on the flow in the water model of the ladle are experimentally investigated in detail. Moreover, based on the experimental data, numerical models, able to describe the complex process macroscopically, are further developed. These models provide a basis for advanced process improvements. A correct simulation of the bubble size distribution, the velocity of the bubbles and the shape of the heterogeneous lift free jet, are key factors for the development of models for energy and mass transport in the studied processes (eg modeling of chemical reactions). Based on the developed models the geometry of ladles and the injection systems can be optimized and enable the operator to shorten the process time. In this way, energy and resources can be saved.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Dr.-Ing. Antje Rückert, until 11/2017