Mathematical Modeling in the Design of Large Electric Smelting Furnaces

The problem of scaling a slag resistance electric smelting furnace from the pilot plant stage to a full size production unit is considered. Several of the existing scaling methods are discussed with a view to pointing out their limitations. It is shown that some are clearly inappropriate for the scaling process since they neglect significant factors that influence the furnace performance. Among these factors are the finite furnace geometry, the nonhomogeneous slag, and the slag/ alloy interface. Methods of including these factors in the analysis are described. In particular, a finite difference simulation has been developed for the furnace. Such a model can be used to derive design parameters for the furnace and to indicate the manner in which such parameters vary with furnace geometry.