Influence of Obstruction at Gas-Injection Nozzles (Number and Position) in RH Degasser Process

• Published in: Metallurgical and materials transactions. B, Process metallurgy and materials processing science Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 578 - 584
• Main Authors: Trindade, Luis Carlos, Peixoto, Johne Jesus M., da Silva, Carlos Antônio, Baston, Eduardo Prado, Naves, Fabiano Luiz, Neto, Juan Canellas B., de Faria, David Tiago, Lofrano, Renata C. Z., França, Alexandre Bôscaro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 15.02.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Circulation; Computer simulation; DEGASSING; ENGINEERING; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; FLOW RATE; Flow velocity; GAS FLOW; GAS INJECTION; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Nanotechnology; NOZZLES; Obstructions; Rings (mathematics); SIMULATION; Structural Materials; Surfaces and Interfaces; SYMMETRY; Thin Films
• ISSN: 1073-5615; 1543-1916
• DOI: 10.1007/s11663-018-1474-6

One of the main problems that affects Ruhrstahl-Heraeus (RH) degasser circulation rate is the obstruction of the gas-injection nozzles. This study aims to elucidate the effects of obstructions in quantity and location using a physical model that depicts 16 injection nozzles on the up-leg distributed symmetrically in 2 rings (8 nozzles/ring). We simulated six, symmetric and nonsymmetric, obstruction conditions to gas flow. The gas-flow rate was varied from 30 to 130 NL/min. The results for symmetric obstructions when the gas-flow rate is kept constant, indicates that the circulation rate in the equipment does not significantly change. However, when these obstructions are non-symmetric, the circulation rate varies drastically, even when the gas-flow rate is kept constant. The analysis of the experimental data generated from this study allowed to determine an equation for the circulation rate that takes into consideration the number and distribution of blocked nozzles.