Development of a modelling technique for non-equilibrium metallurgical processes

An analysis of high-temperature multiphase processes shows considerable dev iations from thermodynamic and chemical equilibrium. These can be attribute d to limited heat and mass transfer, e.g., caused by incomplete mixing. A m odelling technique is developed to enable the calculation of such complex n on-equilibrium phenomena. With this technique, a process is simulated using an appropriate arrangement of simple, local equilibrium reactors coupled b y defined heat and mass exchange. As an example, the simulation of an LD-co nverter process was undertaken with focus on non-equilibrium phenomena. In modelling, great emphasis was placed on a state of the art representation o f the thermochemistry of the material systems involved. The validation of t he simulation model shows good agreement between reported and calculated va lues for species concentration and temperature development over time. Real- process phenomena can be predicted.