Numerical Analysis of Postcombustion Effects on the Supersonic Jet Behavior

During the top blowing process of the basic oxygen furnace, the oxygen jet may react with CO before it reaches the surface of the molten bath. This combustion reaction affects the dynamic characteristics of the jet, which, in turn, affects its interaction with the bath. In this study, a numerical model is developed to investigate the transient and steady combustion characteristics of the supersonic jet emitted from the top lance. The transient combustion simulation shows that the CO ratio gradually decreases while the CO2 mole fraction increases at the interaction boundary region between jet and ambient due to the chemical reactions. In addition, the jet profile is changed when the postcombustion is introduced. Due to the flame formation and turbulence change at the jet combustion interface, the axial velocity at height of 2 m (x = 73 re) is 89% higher than that of the noncombustion reaction jet flow. In the results, it is demonstrated that the combustion interface is favorable to reduce the jet decay, resulting a higher dynamic pressure before the jet reaches the bath surface. Furthermore, a higher core temperature and lower density are obtained for the combustion jet compared to that of without combustion reaction. The combustion flame reduces the interaction between the main oxygen jet and the ambient. As a result, it inhibits the radial expansion of the main oxygen jet and reduces the momentum exchange between the jet and the surrounding gas, as well as reduces the energy loss, which results in the length core increasing of the jet.image (c) 2024 WILEY-VCH GmbH