Development of a Process to Continuously Melt, Refine, and Cast High-Quality Steel (2002-2005)

B.G. Thomas, L. Zhang, J. Aoki, J. Peter, K. Peaslee

Department of Energy and University of Missouri - Rolla

Many operational problems and costs are associated with feeding the continuous casting process from the continuous electric furnace steelmaking operation using via batch ladles. A multifaceted project combining plant experiments, lab experiments, and computational modeling aims to design a fully continuous process using a series of intermediate vessels where alloy addition and refining occurs at steady state. The UIUC role focuses on the computational modeling aspects of the project. Three-dimensional models of multiphase turbulent fluid flow, mixing, and particle motion are being developed to assist with the design calculations. The results will help to design a feasible process, while identifying and solving possible problems prior to the pilot plant stage.

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Source: Zhang, L, J. Aoki, B. G. Thomas, J. Peter, and K.D. Peaslee, "Designing a New Scrap Based Continuous Steelmaking Process Using CFD Simulation"

Publications:

Zhang, L, J. Aoki, B. G. Thomas, J. Peter, and K.D. Peaslee, “Designing a New Scrap Based Continuous Steelmaking Process Using CFD Simulation”, 3rd Internat. Congress on Science & Technology of Steelmaking, Charlotte, NC, May 9-11, 2005, Association for Iron & Steel Technology, Warrendale, PA, pp 577-590. Click here for a PDF version. (1.0 MB)

Peter, J., Kent D. Peaslee, David G.C. Robertson, Lifeng Zhang, Brian G. Thomas, “Introduction of a novel, scrap-based, fully continuous steelmaking process” , AISTech Conference, AIST, Charlotte, NC, May 9-11, 2005, Vol. 2, pp. 623-634. Click here for a PDF version. (685 KB)

Thomas, B.G., "Computational Modeling of Flow, Heat Transfer, and Deformation in the Continuous Casting of Steel", First Baosteel Annual Academic Conference, 2004, (Shanghai, China, May 27-28, 2004), Vol. 1, p. 13-19. Click here for a PDF version. (6.2 MB)

Aoki, J., BG. Thomas, J. Peter, KD Peaslee, "Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Mixing in a Bottom Gas-Stirred Ladle", AISTech 2004, Nashville, TN, Sept. 15-17, 2004, Assoc. Iron Steel Technology, Warrendale, PA, pp. 1045-1056. Click here for a PDF version. (881 KB)

Peter, J., Kent D. Peaslee, David G.C. Robertson, Brian G. Thomas, “Experimental study of kinetic processes during the steel treatment at two LMF’s”, AISTech Conference, AIST, Charlotte, NC, May 9-11, 2005, Vol. 1, pp. 959-967. Click here for a PDF version. (685 KB)