Three-dimensional Compressible Flow Simulation of Top-blown Multiple Jets in Converter

TLDR

The study aims to demonstrate how multiple jets generate dynamic power to support cavity formation and to develop a model predicting their effective penetration radius and digressing path from inclination angle and axial distance. A three‑dimensional mathematical model was developed to simulate compressible jet flow from a top‑blown lance with multiple nozzles, incorporating variations in density, viscosity, temperature, and Mach number, and validated against physical experiments. Computations show that the standard k–ω turbulence model better captures turbulent conditions than the realizable k–ε model; Mach number distributions reveal that jets curve toward the lance center and coalesce, with stronger interference at lower inclination angles, and the model demonstrates the jets’ dynamic power supporting cavity formation.

Abstract

A three-dimensional mathematical model has been developed to simulate the compressible jets flow from the top-blown lance with multi-nozzles in converter to a free surrounding domain. The variations of fluid density and viscosity, high temperature, and Mach number were taken into consideration in this model which was validated against the physical modeling results. More specifically, computations were obtained to compare the widely used realizable k–ε turbulence model against the standard k–ω turbulence model, which shows that the latter one is superior to calculate diverse turbulent conditions within the multiple jets. Moreover, the coalescence pattern of the multiple jets has been illustrated by their Mach number distribution, and each individual jet proceeds in a curve course, bending to the lance center and tending to unite. The effects of the inclination angles on the jets coalescence were also investigated, which indicates that the lower the inclination angle is, the stronger the interfering extent between the multiple jets is. With the help of this model, the dynamic power of the multiple jets to support the cavity formation was demonstrated, and additionally, a mathematical model concerning the effective penetration radius and digressing path of the multiple jets was proposed by taking the inclination angle and the axial distance from the nozzle tips as arguments.