Dynamics of Dead-man Coke and Hot Metal Flow in a Blast Furnace Hearth

• Published in: ISIJ International Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 208 - 215
• Main Authors: Shibata, Kouichirou, Kimura, Yoshio, Shimizu, Masakata, Inaba, Shin-ichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Iron and Steel Institute of Japan 01.01.1990
• Subjects: blast furnace; circumferential flow; erosion; free space; hearth; heat transfer; hot metal flow; iron making
• ISSN: 0915-1559; 1347-5460
• DOI: 10.2355/isijinternational.30.208

Formation behavior of coke non-packed regions (free space) in a blast furnace hearth was analyzed using a two-dimensional cold model of a blast furnace. Based on the obtained results, the influence of the free space shape, the packed structure of dead-man and the depth of a taphole on the hot metal flow and the heat transfer in the blast furnace hearth was examined by numerical calculation. The results obtained are summarized as follows; (1) An upward motion of hearth coke towards the raceway occurs due to the rising of stored molten iron level. This motion results in formation of free space at the corner of a hearth. (2) The shape of free space and the packed structure of dead-man significantly affect the hot metal flow and the heat transfer in a hearth. (3) Circumferential flow in a hearth is caused by the presence of free space. As a result, refractories opposite to a taphole in the corner of the hearth bottom are subjected to significant heat loads. (4) If the dimensionless depth of a taphole (I/R (I; depth of a taphole from inner wall of a hearth, R; hearth radius)) is 0.33 which is almost equal to that in usual blast furnaces, refractories at an angle of 30° with a taphole horizontally are subjected to significant heat loads.