Modeling of liquid level and bubble behavior in vacuum chamber of RH process

Abstract

In the Ruhrstahl-Heraeus (RH) refining process, liquid steel flow pattern in a ladle is controlled by the fluid flow behavior in the vacuum chamber. Potassium chloride solution and NaOH solution saturated with CO₂ were respectively used as a tracer to investigate the liquid and gas flow behaviors in the vacuum chamber. Principal component and comparative analysis were made to show the factors controlling mixing and circulation flow rate. The liquid level and bubble behavior in the vacuum chamber greatly affect fluid flow in RH process. Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of liquid steel level, gas flow rate, bubble residence time, and gas injection mode on mixing, decarburization, and void fraction. The results indicate that the mixing process can be divided into three regions: the flow rate-affected zone, the concentration gradient-affected zone, and their combination. The liquid steel level in the vacuum chamber of 300 mm is a critical point in the decarburization transition. For liquid level lower than 300 mm, liquid steel circulation controls decarburization, while for liquid level higher than 300 mm, bubble behavior is the main controlling factor. During the RH process, it is recommended to use the concentrated bubble injection mode for low gas flow rates and the uniform bubble injection mode for high gas flow rates.