Simulation of EAF refining stage

Abstract

The refining stage in the electric arc furnace contributes to the enhancement of the metallurgical and industrial parameters and the improvement of performance in steelmaking plants. The aim of this study is to compare effects induced by natural and forced convection stirring.Two 3D computational fluid dynamics models were prepared to analyze the melt flow and heat profiles inside the electric arc furnace using FLUENT software. The modeling utilized transient solver with realize k-ɛ turbulence model, in natural and forced convection cases. The results of this work (represented by screenshots for velocity and temperature distributions) indicated maximum and minimum values locations. The maximum melt velocity inside the electric arc furnace was found at the steel melt outlet. Aim: The refining stage in the electric arc furnace contributes to the enhancement of the metallurgical and industrial parameters and the improvement of performance in steelmaking plants. The aim of this study is to compare effects induced by natural and forced convection stirring. Methods: Two 3D computational fluid dynamics models were prepared to analyze the melt flow and heat profiles inside the electric arc furnace using FLUENT software. The modeling utilized transient solver with realize k-ɛ turbulence model, in natural and forced convection cases. Results: screenshots for velocity and temperature distributions indicated maximum and minimum values locations. Conclusions: the maximum melt velocity inside the electric arc furnace was found at the steel melt outlet. Keywords: EAF, Refining, Stirring, Natural convection, Forced convection