Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Argon-Steel (-Slag) Multiphase Flow in an Ruhrstahl-Heraeus Degasser: A Review of Past Numerical Studies

Many metallurgical functions such as dehydrogenation, decarburization, and inclusion removal are achieved during Ruhrstahl-Heraeus (RH) treatment. The realization of these functions is closely related to argon-steel-slag flow in an RH degasser. Recently, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods have been widely adopted to understand such multiphase flow. This review summarizes and analyzes CFD modeling of argon-steel (-slag) flow from the aspect of fundamentals of the numerical approach, focusing on CFD models and validation (homogeneous fluid model, volume of fluid-discrete phase model, and Eulerian model), bubble behaviors (deformation, expansion, coalescence, and breakup), interfacial closure laws (drag, turbulent dispersion, lift, virtual mass, and wall lubrication forces), and turbulence closures (Reynolds-averaged approach with standard, renormalization group, and realizable k-epsilon models, and large eddy simulation with Smagorinsky-Lilly model). This review also suggests that future challenge is to further develop a model for coupling the dispersed interface with a wide bubble size distribution and the sharp interface with a large interfacial scale, accompanied by appropriate bubble behaviors and general closure laws of interfacial forces. As a precondition for the development of CFD models, more experiments are required to fully understand the multiphase flow in a real RH degasser.

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This review summarizes and analyzes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of argon-steel-slag flow, focusing on CFD models and validation, bubble behaviors, interfacial closure laws, and turbulence closures. It suggests that the future challenge is to develop a model for coupling dispersed and sharp interfaces, accompanied by appropriate bubble behaviors and general closure laws of interfacial forces. More experiments are required to fully understand multiphase flow in a real RH degasser.