Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg, Russia:

V. A. Talalov, Professor of a Chair of Hydroaerodynamics

R. V. Starykh, Assistant Professor of a Chair of Metallurgy Technology

Polar Division of JSC “Norilsk Nikel”, Norilsk, Russia:
L. V. Krupnov, Deputy Head of Scientific-Technical Department

LLC “Gipronikel” Institute, Saint Petersburg, Russia:
D. V. Rumyantsev, Senior Researcher of Laboratory of Metallurgy of Research and Development Department, e-mail: DVRum@nickel.spb.ru

In the recent years, Polar Division of JSC “Norilsk Nikel” have defined the tendency to ore base impoverishment, which makes a significant influence on composition and volume of metal-bearing feed, treated in the flash smelting furnaces of Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant. The flash smelting furnaces’ stable performance (or workability) depends on the feed composition and characteristics. In particular, changes in composition and characteristics of ore fed to the flash smelting furnaces led to serious build-up formation in uptakes and settlers of flash smelting furnace-1 and flash smelting furnace-2. The build-up became rather sizeable, blocking the uptake and settler joint cross-section, disrupting regular gas removal from the furnace. For the purpose of analysis of build-up formation causes (using mathematical simulation), the gas stream flow behaviour in the flash smelting furnaces’ uptake and settler was investigated together with the factors, influencing the gas stream at various furnace operating conditions. The results of the studies of the gas phase flow in the flash smelting furnaces’ uptake and settler obtained via mathematical simulation are presented. The mathematical model was developed on the basis of Navier – Stokes equations, using classic turbulence model. Gas composition changes within acceptable industrial limits did not exert any marked effect on the flash smelting furnace gases flow. The furnace design and off-gases volume are the principal factors influencing the gas phase flow.

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