Numerical Experiments of Addition Mixing During Batch Vacuuming with Cored Wire in Ladle

The paper is devoted to mathematical modeling and improving a secondary treatment of molten steel at metallurgical plants. The process includes immersion of a cylindrical vessel into a ladle with molten steel to rise up a batch of steel using vacuum. After that, a cored wire with addition is injected into the melt inside the vessel through a guiding tube. Also argon starts blowing from a wall in the vessel to intensify mixing. Presented 3D mathematical model is based on the conservative laws of physics and includes Navier-Stokes equations as well as Euler-Lagrange ones. The model calculates coefficients of addition and hydrogen variations as criterion of homogeneity. Moreover coordinates of wire's end are determined by predicting 3D dynamics of wire as flexible system of rods. Numerical experiments are conducted using the set of technological parameters as well as moving guiding tube and fixed one. It is found that optimal consumption of inert gas is 150 1/m and optimal wire speed is in range 0,3 - 0,5 m/s in considered conditions. The model can help to further investigate the process in other configurations.