EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY OF LIQUID FLOW IN BLAST-FURNACE COHESIVE ZONE

A review of existing heat transfer and liquid flow models for the blas t furnace indicated minimal consideration of liquid at its source, wit hin the cohesive zone. Operational findings suggested that significant flow was present in this region. Cold model simulation of liquid flow around the cohesive zone was undertaken to examine its influence on p ermeability. Experiments were divided into three parts. In 'upflow' ru ns, the possibility of localised upward liquid movement without overal l bed flooding was found plausible. In 'downflow' runs, liquid droppin g through a simulated softening ore layer was found to be strongly inf luenced by pore size. Localised flooded regions (without overall bed f looding) could be formed, causing significant horizontal shifts in liq uid flow. In 'multilayer' runs, a steady state condition could be esta blished, with liquid flowing along the cohesive zone profile. Findings suggested that liquid has a significant influence on gas flow and hea t transfer within the cohesive zone. (C) 1997 The Institute of Materia ls.