A Three-Dimensional Three-Phase Model of Gas Injection in AOD Converters

A mathematical model of gas injection in the AOD converter process has been developed by augmentation of an earlier developed three-dimensional two-phase model to the slag phase and an industrial relevant geometry including six nozzles. The model is based on fundamental transport equations and includes separate solution of the steel and the gas phases and their coupling by friction as well as the slag phase. The 3D 3-phase (steel, slag, and gas) AOD model has been used to predict fluid flow, turbulence, and bubble characteristics as well as fluid-slag dispersion. In addition, two different gas flow rates have been simulated which resulted in quite different flow pattern. This new findings opens up for future investigations of gas-metal reactions in the AOD converter, which are of key interest from an industrial point of view.