Simulation study of molten pool flow characteristics during electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking

Abstract

Combined blowing is a crucial technical method in EAF steelmaking that accelerates the flow of molten steel, reduces the dead zone in the Eccentric Bottom Tapping (EBT) area, and enhances the steelmaking reaction. Based on similarity theory, this paper designs a 1:4 scaled physical simulation device for multi-process collaborative molten-pool stirring, using a 100-ton continuous-charging EAF as the model. The study examines the impact of various process parameters, including bottom blowing flow rate, bottom blowing element arrangement, side blowing flow rate, and oxygen lance deflection angle, on the molten pool stirring effect under bottom blowing, side blowing, and combined blowing conditions. Through orthogonal experiments, the optimal combined blowing process scheme is determined, and the quantitative relationship between molten pool mixing time and process parameters is quantified. This provides guidance for optimizing the production process, enhancing molten-pool stirring, and accelerating scrap steel melting in continuous-charging EAF with only scrap steel.