Physical modelling of hot metal flow in a blast furnace hearth

Physical modelling was applied in order to gain information about the flow behavior in the blast furnace hearth. For that purpose, residence times of tracer injections were determined based on the electric conductivity measurements and flow paths were visualised by using KMnO4 (s). Especially the influence of a floating coke bed and blocked center of the deadman on flow characteristics in the blast furnace hearth were investigated using a ring-shaped distributor and penetrated taphole, simulating sintered mud mass. When a coke-free space is formed under the coke bed, the iron discharge route forms a V-shaped cross-sectional area in which iron flows completely inside the coke bed. The share of iron entering the V-shaped area can be increased either by increasing the drain rate or by decreasing the height of the coke-free layer. Inactive center of deadman causes iron to flow near the hearth wall which leads to severe erosion of hearth.