Stratification in steelmaking ladles

Abstract

The problem of temperature stratification in a steelmaking ladle is considered. There are three distinct zones in the flow, the wall boundary layer, the bottom stagnation zone and the central plug flow. Typical length, velocity and time scales are determined for the flow and compared to numerical simulations. A model of the wall boundary layer using similarity solution techniques is detailed. Models for the temperature stratification in the bottom stagnation zone and the plug flow are included. Recommendations for reducing the temperature stratification in the ladle and improvements to their numerical simulation are made.