Numerical study of multiphase flow dynamics of plunging jets of liquid steel and trajectories of ferroalloys additions in a ladle during tapping operations

A multiphase numerical analysis focused on flow dynamics and particle trajectories during steel tapping operations was developed. The numerical results indicate that lighter additions than steel (ferrosilicon and aluminum) are independent from bath level, fall height and flow dynamics of the melt. Neutral buoyant additions (Fe-Mn) are strongly dependent on fluid dynamics of the melt and bath height. Denser additions (like Fe-Nb) yields long residence time inside the melt before first emerging to the bath surface. However, when this ferroalloy is added at high bath levels, close to the end of tapping, the particles remain in the corner formed by the bottom and the wall of the ladle during long times prolonging their melting rates.