Momentum Transfer from Arc to Slag Bath in a DC Ilmenite Smelting Furnace: A Computational Analysis

A computational fluid dynamics model was developed to study momentum transfer from the plasma arc jet to the slag bath in a direct-current (DC) ilmenite smelting furnace. The arc was approximated with a steady-state turbulent gas jet that had a thrust equivalent to that of an arc. First, a sensitivity study was performed to understand the analogous turbulent gas jet chosen to represent the arc. Then, the turbulent gas jet representation was used to determine steady-state slag bath flow properties as a result of arc impingement. Lastly, to gauge the relative importance of arc impingement as a momentum source, the contributions of different momentum sources in a DC arc furnace were compared, including electromagnetic and buoyancy forces.