Monitoring of the Behaviour and State of Nanoscale Particles in a Gas Cleaning System of an Ore-Thermal Furnace

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to define and select stable zones in the off-gas duct of an ore-thermal furnace using a mathematical model. This is needed to increase the effectiveness of exhaust gas composition control in metallurgical silicon production. Methods. The goals of this study were achieved by means of computational fluid dynamics. A model with a water-cooled furnace roof as well as a model comprising steel gas passes with a sliding shutter was developed using ANSYS Fluent software. Both models were symmetrical to ensure a uniform gas-dust distribution, which allowed us to test the adequacy of the obtained models. The models were based on the Navier–Stokes equations system as well as on a discrete phase model (DPM) that was developed using the Euler–Lagrange method. Results. As a result of the modelling, a transition flow mode (Re 0-7437) was revealed behind the sliding shutter. As such, it can be assumed that the most suitable place for measuring equipment to be installed is directly behind the closed part of the sliding shutter.

Keywords

• silicon production
• nanoparticles
• ore-thermal furnace (OTF)
• gas cleaning
• symmetry
• carbon footprint