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Numerical and Physical Modeling of Steel Desulfurization on a Modified RH Degasser

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Abstract

This study presents a new approach for RH degasser for desulfurization purposes. The modified RH has a short down leg length, so the steel flowing through this leg is discharged above the slag–metal interface. Physical and mathematical modeling were carried out and the results show that a large slag dispersion into steel can be achieved, so an efficient desulfurization is expected for this modified reactor. In the physical model as well as in computational fluid dynamics simulations, water or a saline solution were used to mimic the steel similar phase and three kinds of oils to emulate the slag. It was observed that as circulation rate is increased, the emulsification increased too. Additionally, for large phase density difference it was observed that oil dispersion is already intense, but it is concentrated nearby the down leg flow. CFD simulations were applied to RH industrial unit too, and as expected, a large slag entrainment into steel is observed and sustained. The dispersed phase flows nearby the steel jet coming from down leg. Furthermore, this modification on RH does not compromise the main RH functions since no change on circulation rates and mixing times was observed.

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Fig. 1

Adapted from Ref. [2]

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Abbreviations

dp:

Droplet diameter (m)

g :

Acceleration of gravity (m/s2)

G :

Gas flow rate (STP L/min)

Q :

Circulation rate (kg/s)

[S]:

Steel sulfur concentration (ppm)

\(v\) :

Volume (m3 or L)

V :

Velocity (m/s)

t :

Time (s)

L S :

Slag–metal sulfur partition coefficient

E :

Specific rate of input of kinetic energy (W/t)

C t :

Instantaneous concentration (kg/m3)

C ∞ :

Final concentration (kg/m3)

ρ :

Density (kg/m3)

μ :

Dynamic viscosity (Pa·s)

τ mix . :

Mixing time (s)

ε :

Average rate of dissipation of kinetic energy of turbulence (m2/s3)

κ :

Kinetic energy of turbulence (m2/s2)

σ :

Interfacial tension (N/m)

\(\alpha_{i}\) :

Volume fractions of each phase

g :

Gaseous phase

l :

Liquid phase

o :

Oil

ss:

Saline solution

w :

Water

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the help provided by UFOP, IFMG, CNPq, CAPES, and FAPEMIG.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Prêto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil

    Antonio Marlon Barros Silva, Johne Jesus Mol Peixoto & Carlos Antônio da Silva

  2. Metallurgy Department, Federal Institute of Minas Gerais, Ouro Branco, MG, 36420-000, Brazil

    Antonio Marlon Barros Silva

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Silva, A.M.B., Peixoto, J.J.M. & da Silva, C.A. Numerical and Physical Modeling of Steel Desulfurization on a Modified RH Degasser. Metall Mater Trans B 54, 2651–2669 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-023-02864-8

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