Research on the Advantages of Vortex Smelting Reduction of High-Iron Red Mud (Bauxite Residue)

In this research, the effects of different stirring speeds on the molten pool flow and the internal flow field of the molten pool were studied by water simulation and numerical simulation. The software ANSYS ICEM, ANSYS FLUENT, and Tecplot 360 were used to model, compute, and post-process, respectively. A physical model made of plexiglass was used to conduct the water simulation experiment. The advantages of vortex smelting reduction were analyzed theoretically and verified by high-temperature experiments. At a stirring speed of approximately 150 rpm, vortex smelting reduction was not only beneficial to the uniform dispersion of the material particles in the molten pool, increasing the reduction reaction rate, but it was also beneficial to the separation of slag and metal. The experimental results confirmed the advantages of vortex smelting reduction, contributing to the recovery of iron in high-iron red mud.