Numerical simulation on inclusion removal behaviours in refining processes of spring steel

ABSTRACT Aiming at the unsatisfactory removal rate of various inclusions in refining process of spring steel in a steel plant, this study proposes a unequal flow bottom blowing method with an inlet flow ratio of 2:1, and its effectiveness is verified by numerical simulation and actual production. The numerical simulation results show that under the 2:1 bottom blowing method, the molten steel has greater axial flow strength, which is conducive to the inclusion floating to the slag layer. The removal rate of inclusions under the 2:1 bottom blowing method is about 8% higher than that of the equal flow. The production results are consistent with the numerical simulation, when the inlet flow is 100 NL/min, the inclusion removal rate under 2:1 bottom blowing method is about 18% higher than that of equal flow, meanwhile, the total number of inclusions and large size inclusions are lower than that of equal flow.