Computational Thermo-Fluid Dynamic Simulation of a Radiant Off-Gases Cooling System for Copper Smelting in a Pierce Smith Converter

Abstract

In copper sulfide concentrates smelting, the off-gases from the Pierce Smith converter (PSC) furnace must be treated to prevent environmental impacts as they are highly corrosive and toxic. The purpose of this research project is to present a methodology for the simulation of a capture and cooling system of the smelting off-gases from a Pierce Smith copper converter, using computational fluid dynamics. Through this methodology, it is possible to obtain a simulation model of the smelting off-gases behavior with an average error of 9.88%. Basically, it demonstrates that the simulated tendencies of the metallurgical off-gases on the cooling hood and chamber can be reliable to predict the thermo-fluid dynamic behavior of the off-gases inside the studied off-gases handling system.