To main content

Computational Modelling of Electric Arc Behaviour in Direct-Current Smelting Furnaces Using Hydrogen as a Reductant

Abstract

In this work, the authors present results from a computational multiphysics model for direct-current plasma arcs operating in open bath electric smelting furnaces. Plasma thermodynamic and thermophysical properties of a range of mixtures of hydrogen and water vapour that might be expected in the gas space of a smelter using pure hydrogen as a reductant are discussed, with most properties seen to be strong functions of the plasma temperature and composition. The properties are combined with the multiphysics model and used to generate predictions of the arc behaviour, with both quasi-steady state and fully transient simulations conducted. The electrical performance of the arc was found to be highly dependent on the hydrogen:water ratio in the freeboard gas, with larger hydrogen fractions causing the arc to become less stable and more electrically resistive.
Read the publication

Category

Academic chapter

Language

English

Author(s)

  • Quinn G. Reynolds
  • Markus W. Erwee
  • Isabel J. Geldenhuys
  • Hakon Valur Haraldsson
  • Sverre Gullikstad Johnsen
  • Jones Rodney T.
  • Jonatan A. Tesfahunegn
  • Buhle S. Xakalashe

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Industry / Metal Production and Processing
  • Reykjavik University
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  • South Africa
  • Stellenbosch University
  • University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Year

2024

Publisher

SINTEF akademisk forlag

Book

Selected papers from the 15th International Conference on Industrial Applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics, Trondheim, Norway, June 11–13, 2024

ISBN

9788253618661

Page(s)

129 - 140

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository