Optimization of Material Flow in Sinter Vertical Cooling Furnace

doi:10.12068/j.issn.1005-3026.2025.20230245

Abstract

Abstract:

In order to improve the material flow in the vertical cooling furnace of Shanghai Meishan Iron and Steel Co. ， Ltd. ， the optimization measures of edge‑center combined charging are proposed， and the discrete element method （DEM） is used to analyze the improvement effect of this measure on the material velocity distribution and flow pattern in the vertical cooling furnace. The results show that the edge‑center combined charging can change the velocity distribution law from the low‑velocity in the sidewall area and high‑velocity in the middle area and center area to high‑velocity in the sidewall area and center area and low‑velocity in the middle area. At the same time， the material flow pattern is changed from the original “U” type to “—” type. The minimum mass flow index of particles moving down is increased from 0.645 to 0.762， which improves the “mass flow” degree of material flow in the furnace. However， this charging method will cause serious segregation of large particles in the middle area. It is suggested to try to adjust the relative height of the edge and center charging pipes to balance the improvement of material flow and the increase of segregation.

Key words: vertical cooling furnace, sinter, flow pattern, mass flow, discrete element method （DEM）

CLC Number:

TF 046

Hai-feng LI, Teng-fei QI, Yong-jie ZHANG, Zong-shu ZOU. Optimization of Material Flow in Sinter Vertical Cooling Furnace[J]. Journal of Northeastern University(Natural Science), 2025, 46(1): 44-51.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig.1 Comparison of two charging methods

Table 1 Sinter size composition

粒径范围/mm	10~25	>25~40	>40~80	>80~150
质量分数/%	20	35	30	15

Table 2 Physical property parameters

参数	泊松比	密度/（kg·m^-3）	剪切模量/Pa	恢复系数	滑动摩擦系数	滚动摩擦系数
烧结矿	0.25	2.6×10³	3.5×10⁷	—	—	—
壁面	0.3	7.8×10³	7×10¹⁰	—	—	—
烧结矿-烧结矿	—	—	—	0.25	0.38	0.08
烧结矿-壁面	—	—	—	0.2	0.45	0.16

Fig.2 Model validation device and result comparison

Fig.3 Local space division

Fig.4 Distribution of sinter particle velocity and relative average velocity

Fig.5 Flow pattern of sinter particles

Fig.6 Mass flow index of sinter particles with two charging methods

Fig.7 Material distribution during discharge process

Fig.8 Material distribution in steady state flow

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