DYNAMICS OF DEAD-MAN COKE AND HOT METAL FLOW IN A BLAST-FURNACE HEARTH

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. © 1990, The Iron and Steel Institute of Japan. All rights reserved.