Simulation Analysis of Coupling Fluid-Thermal & Structural Stresses of a RH Refining Furnace Using the Finite Element Method

by De-Shau Huang, Ming-Tzer Lin , Yi-Sheng Liao

Publisher - Nan-Kai University of Technology, Nantou, 542, Taiwan, R.O.C. & National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Category - Engineering & IT

Steel-making is one of the important foundations of industrial development. The RH refining furnace, a high-flow disturbance and high temperature environment system, is the equipment used for steel-making refinement during the steel-making process. The molten steel is driven by vacuum pressure from the inlet tube of the RH refining furnace and expelled from the outlet tube, forming a circulating system. In the process of steel-making refinement, high shear stress acts on both tubes of the RH refining furnace. In the meantime, thermal stress is caused by 1610℃ molten steel. Referring to various designs of a RH refining furnace, in the study, a three-dimensional physical model of a RH refining furnace was constructed and introduced to ANSYS to simulate the flow field and temperature distribution. The thermal stress and shear stress were also examined. Based on the results of the various RH refining furnace designs, an optimal design for a RH refining furnace is proposed to improve its lifespan. The proposed simulation method contributes to evaluations of the design of a RH refining furnace. Steel-making is one of the important foundations of industrial development. The RH refining furnace, a high-flow disturbance and high temperature environment system, is the equipment used for steel-making refinement during the steel-making process. The molten steel is driven by vacuum pressure from the inlet tube of the RH refining furnace and expelled from the outlet tube, forming a circulating system. In the process of steel-making refinement, high shear stress acts on both tubes of the RH refining furnace. In the meantime, thermal stress is caused by 1610℃ molten steel. Referring to various designs of a RH refining furnace, in the study, a three-dimensional physical model of a RH refining furnace was constructed and introduced to ANSYS to simulate the flow field and temperature distribution. The thermal stress and shear stress were also examined. Based on the results of the various RH refining furnace designs, an optimal design for a RH refining furnace is proposed to improve its lifespan. The proposed simulation method contributes to evaluations of the design of a RH refining furnace. Steel-making is one of the important foundations of industrial development. The RH refining furnace, a high-flow disturbance and high temperature environment system, is the equipment used for steel-making refinement during the steel-making process. The molten steel is driven by vacuum pressure from the inlet tube of the RH refining furnace and expelled from the outlet tube, forming a circulating system. In the process of steel-making refinement, high shear stress acts on both tubes of the RH refining furnace. In the meantime, thermal stress is caused by 1610℃ molten steel. Referring to various designs of a RH refining furnace, in the study, a three-dimensional physical model of a RH refining furnace was constructed and introduced to ANSYS to simulate the flow field and temperature distribution. The thermal stress and shear stress were also examined. Based on the results of the various RH refining furnace designs, an optimal design for a RH refining furnace is proposed to improve its lifespan. The proposed simulation method contributes to evaluations of the design of a RH refining furnace.

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