VDEh Industrial Research Institute, Düsseldorf, Germany:

Marx K., Mag. Eng., Senior Researcher, kersten.marx@bfi.de

Rödl S., Head of Department Fluid Mechanics

One of the activities of VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut is the development of measuring methods and simulation approaches to improve dedusting systems. The fume flow rate, which has to be captured, can be determined with a new method (Structural PIV). The dedusting facilities are studied with physical models. Additionally flow and temperature conditions as well as the fume propagation are simulated using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program. Necessary suction flow rates can be reduced by optimization of hood geometry and fume suppression techniques. Measurements, observations and operational trials in the plant, physical model trials and calculations with a computational fluid dynamics program were performed to give the necessary basic information for planned and existing secondary dedusting systems. It can be concluded that model trials and numerical simulation are important powerful tools for the optimization of dedusting systems. Possible optimizing measures can be evaluated already in the planning stage and the results can be transferred to the plant with good success. With these tools BFI developed effective solutions to optimize dedusting systems for a great number of BOF shops. Efficient charging hoods for small available space were developed and optimized by physical model trials and numerical simulation. The simulation tools are adequate to study and compare different types of suction hoods. The boundary conditions for the simulation can be gained by video documentation (plume photography and image analysis with Structural PIV) as well as measurements in the plant. The results are transferable to a great number of other BOF shops. A flare during scrap charging can be suppressed by a cover on the scrapchute. The method for fume suppression during hot metal charging with inert gases is expensive but probably applicable especially for small or medium-sized converters with weak exhaust systems. The new secondary dedusting system at steel plant B is independent from the primary system. The hoods, which were constructed based on the findings of the project, have a very good performance.