A three-dimensional mathematical model has been developed to simulate
the gas flow, composition, and temperature profiles inside a cupola. C
omparison of the model with the reported experimental data shows the p
resence of a zone with low combustion rate at the tuyere level. For a
24 in (610 mm) cupola with four rows of tuyeres, the combustion zones
from each tuyere overlap each other, forming an overall combustion zon
e of cylindrical shape of height similar to 0.2 m. Using the model, it
is found that the spout temperature initially increases with increasi
ng blast velocity and attains a maximum. Further increase in blast vel
ocity does not change the spout temperature. This suggests that smalle
r size tuyeres and higher permeability of the bed can give superior cu
pola performance. (C) 1997 The Institute of Materials.