Metal droplet holdup in the thick slag layer subjected to bottom gas injection

:Model experiments were carried out to investigate the bubble and liquid fl ow characteristics in a bottom blowing bath covered with a thick slag layer typical of in-bath smelting reduction processes. An aqueous ZnCl2 solution and silicone oil were used as the models for molten metal and molten slag, respectively. The density ratio of the solution to the silicone oil was 1. 7, being close to a steel/slag density ratio of 2.0 to 2.2 in practice. The diameter of a vessel containing the two liquids was changed over a wide ra nge. The holdup of the solution carried up by bubbles into the upper silico ne oil layer was measured with a suction tube. The volume of the solution, V-m, was dependent mainly on the density difference. Empirical correlations of V-m and the penetration height of the solution were derived.