Physical simulation of mixing on a C–H₂ smelting reduction reactor with different tracer feeding positions

With the growing demand for energy saving, emission reduction, and green metallurgy, we had designed a new C–H₂ smelting reduction reactor. In order to solve the key problem that the heat transfer efficiency from high temperature oxidation zone in upper region to low temperature reduction zone in lower region is low in traditional metallurgical reduction reactor, a water simulation was adopted to optimize the mean residence time and to improve the transmission efficiency within the reactor. According to the modified Froude similarity, a water model experimental reactor with a ratio of 1:1 to the prototype was constructed. In the prototype, the feed port was used to feed preheated ore and flux. In order to simulate the effect of different feeding positions of the tracer on the mixing behavior in the molten pool, four points of tracer feeding position were arranged for a systematic study. At the same time, based on double-row side nozzle with thick slag layer in a C–H₂ smelting reduction reactor, nine influencing factors, including relative angle between upper and lower side nozzles, were studied. The experimental results showed that the tracer feeding position had a great influence on the mean residence time, and the relative angle also had a great influence on tracer feeding position. Finally, through comprehensive analysis, the optimal condition parameters were obtained under different tracer feeding positions. These results provide valuable help for the design and optimization of the C-H₂ smelting reduction reactor.