Numerical simulation of coupling multi-physical field in electrical arc furnace for smelting titanium slag

The smelting reduction process of the ilmenite in an electric arc furnace (EAF) is a commonly used technology for producing titanium slag in the world. It has particular significance to analyze the velocity–temperature–electromagnetics multi-physical field in an EAF for improving its productivity and reducing energy consumption. A transient three-dimensional mathematical model was developed to characterize the flow, heat transfer, and electromagnetic behavior in a titanium slag EAF. For describing the electromagnetic field and its effects on velocity and temperature distribution in the furnace, magnetohydrodynamic equations and conservation equations for mass, momentum, and energy were solved simultaneously by compiling the user-defined function program. The numerical model was verified by comparing with the literature data. The results indicate that the Lorentz force is the main driving force of the velocity and temperature distribution. Moreover, the influence of input current and location of electrodes on the multi-physical field distribution was also investigated. It is found that the appropriate range of input current and diameter of pitch circle are about 30,000 A and 3000–3500 mm, respectively. The mathematical model established can characterize the multi-physical field more accurately than before, which can provide valuable guidance for the operation improvement and design optimization of the EAF for producing titanium slag.