Physical modelling of particle transport phenomenon and vibration behavior of converter with bottom powder injection

A cold model of top–bottom blown converter was set up to study the particle transport phenomenon and vibration performance of converter with bottom powder injection. The effect of bottom blowing flow rates, tuyere diameters, arrangements, and powder to gas mass ratios on powder distribution and furnace body vibration was investigated. The results show that the bottom injection parameters and modes have significant effects on the particle transport behavior and furnace vibration. The powder dispersion uniformity and furnace vibration increase with the increase in bottom blowing tuyere diameters. In the lower range of bottom blowing flow rates and powder to gas mass ratios, the powder dispersion uniformity is improved with the increase in them. However, in the higher range, the excessive furnace vibration leads to reduction in uniformity in powder dispersion. When the bottom blowing tuyeres arrange at double arrangement of 0.5R (R refers to the radius of the bottom) distance between tuyere and center of bath bottom, the converter has optimal particle transport behavior and vibration performance. The vibration law of converter with bottom powder injection was revealed by deducing the empirical formulas of furnace vibration maximum amplitude. The vibration intensity is affected by Froude number, powder to gas mass ratio, and tuyere arrangement.