Effects of Operational Parameters on Particle Movement and Distribution at the Top of a Bell‐Less Blast Furnace Based on Discrete Element Method

Abstract

In blast furnaces, the chute is the key device determining burden distribution. The effects of the chute's geometric and operational parameters on burden distribution have seldom been studied. Herein, the top of a bell‐less blast furnace is modeled based on the discrete element method to investigate the effects of chute length, stock‐line level and chute angle on particle movement, and radial burden distribution. The results indicate that burden particles are more likely to slide toward the opposite to the rotating direction as the chute length or angle increases. The burden distribution segregation is mainly caused by the segregation of particle velocity on the chute and the percolation of pellet on the chute. The burden tends to aggregate with increases in chute length and disperse with increases in stock‐line level or chute angle.