3D Modeling on the Multiphase Fluid Flow and the Steel–Slag–Refractory Kinetic Reaction During Argon‐Stirred Ladle Refining Process

A 3D mathematical model is established to study the multiphase flow and reactions between slag – refractory and steel‐refractory during the ladle refining process. The fluid flow is solved using the Eulerian–Lagrangian multiphase approach. The interface between different phases is described using the volume of fluid model. The simulation of the motion of argon bubbles is tracked with the method of the discrete phase model. Moreover, the composition transformation of steel‐refractoty and slag–refractory is predicted by using a kinetic model based on the coupled reactions model. During the ladle furnace refining process, the slag – refractory interface undergoes physical dissolution of MgO into the slag, resulting in the total magnesium in the steel increasing from 7.74 to 12.05%. The decomposition of MgO in the refractory occurs at the steel – refractory interface, leading to the dissolved magnesium in the steel increasing from 5 to 6 ppm. When considering the reaction between the aluminum and the refractory, due to the high content of dissolved aluminum in liquid steel, the steel – refractory reaction causes a decrease of [Al] and [O] and proceeds in the direction of generating aluminum oxide, resulting in an increase in [Mg] from 5 to 9 ppm.