CFD modelling of steel desulfurisation in a gas-stirred ladle

Low sulfur content is crucial in secondary steelmaking to enhance steel quality. The desulfurization rate is influenced by slag-steel interactions, including slag eye size and interfacial mass transfer coefficient. Gas-stirred ladles can impact the interaction through stirring conditions such as argon flow rate and dual plug separation angle. Using a 3D CFD simulation model, the effects of different stirring conditions on the desulfurization rates, molten steel flow, and slag-steel interfacial behaviors were investigated. Results showed that 180 degrees separation angle leads to higher desulfurization efficiency than 90 degrees. A higher argon gas flow rate increases desulfurization rate, and using 20 SCFM (8.92x10(-3) Nm(3)/s) argon flow rate for both plugs resulted in higher desulfurization rate than using 5 SCFM (2.23x10(-3) Nm(3)/s) for one plug and 20 SCFM for the other. The smallest desulfurization efficiency was observed when using 5 SCFM for both plugs.