Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer Behavior in Hot Spot Zone of Converter Molten Bath

The multiphase fluid flow and heat transfer behavior in the steelmaking converter are essential for efficient and stable smelting. Herein, a mathematical model of heat transfer for the hot spot zone of the converter is established. The temperature distribution of the molten bath is clarified, and the effects of operating parameters and the exothermic rate of hot spot zone on the heat transfer behavior of the molten bath are investigated. The results show that the temperature gradient between the hot spot zone and the liquid steel as well as the circulation of liquid steel will lead to the nonuniform distribution of temperature. Both the direction of flow field and the mixing characteristics of molten bath influence the heating rate of molten bath, whereas the direction of the flow field plays a dominant role. In addition, the oxygen lance height has a significant influence on the heat transfer behavior; as the lance height increases from 1.35 to 1.65 m, the heating rate increases by 68.32%. The increase of exothermic rate will remarkably increase the temperature gradient and the heating rate increases by 65.84% and 114.28% when the exothermic rate increases by 1.5 and 2 times, respectively.