Abstract
A mathematical model has been developed to describe the various processes occurring in a flash furnace shaft. The model incorporates turbulent fluid dynamics, chemical reaction kinetics, and heat and mass transfer. The key features include the use of thek-ε turbulence model, incorporating the effect of particles on the turbulence, and the four-flux model for radiative heat transfer. The model predictions were compared with measurements obtained in a laboratory flash furnace and a pilot plant flash furnace. Good agreement was obtained between the predicted and measured data in terms of the SO2 and O2 concentrations, the amount of sulfur remaining in the particles, and the gas temperature. Model predictions show that the reactions of sulfide particles are mostly completed within about 1 m of the burner, and the double-entry burner system with radial feeding of the concentrate particles gives better performance than the singleentry burner system. The model thus verified was used to further predict various aspects of industrial flash furnace operation. The results indicate that from the viewpoint of sulfide oxidation, smelting rate can be substantially increased in most existing industrial flash furnaces.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
N.J. Themelis, J.K. Makinen, and N.D.H. Munroe:Physical Chemistry of Extractive Metallurgy, V. Kudryk and Y.K. Rao, eds., TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1985, pp. 289–309.
Y.H. Kim and N.J. Themelis:The Reinhardt Schuhmann Int. Symp. on Innovative Technology and Reactor Design in Extraction Metallurgy, D.R. Gaskell, J.P. Hager, J.E. Hoffmann, and P.J. Mackey, eds., TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1986, pp. 349–69.
Y. Fukunaka, S. Nakashita, Z. Asaki, and Y. Kondo: inWorld Mining and Metals Technology, A. Weiss, ed., AIME, New York, NY, 1976, vol. 1, pp. 481–504.
S. Ruottu:Combust. Flame, 1979, vol. 34, pp. 1–11.
Y.B. Hahn and H.Y. Sohn:Chem. Eng. Commun., 1987, vol. 61, pp. 39–57.
Y.B. Hahn and H.Y. Sohn:Metall. Trans. B, 1988, vol. 19B, pp. 871–84.
D.B. Spalding:Numerical Computation of Multiphase Flows, Lecture Notes, Thermal Science and Propulsion, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 1979, pp. 161–90.
L.D. Smoot and D.T. Pratt:Pulverized Coal Combustion and Gasification, Plenum Press, New York, NY, 1979, pp. 57–64, 83-104, and 217-31.
L.D. Smoot and P.J. Smith:User’s Manual for a Computer Program for 2-Dimensional Coal Gasification or Combustion (PCGC-2), Combustion Laboratory, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 1983.
L.D. Smoot and P.J. Smith:Coal Combustion and Gasification, Plenum Press, New York, NY, 1985, pp. 245–64 and 349-71.
B.E. Launder and D.B. Spalding:Mathematical Models of Turbulence, Academic Press, London, 1972.
B.E. Launder and D.B. Spalding:Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Eng., 1974, vol. 3, pp. 269–89.
E.K. Melville and N.C. Bray:Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 1979, vol. 22, pp. 647–56.
C.T. Crowe, M.P. Sharma, and D.E. Stock:J. Fluids Eng., Trans. ASME, 1977, pp. 325-32.
P.J. Smith, T.H. Fletcher, and L.D. Smooth:18th Symp. (Int.) on Combustion, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1981, pp. 1285–93.
A.S. Abbas, S.S. Koussa, and F.C. Lockwood:18th Symp. (Int.) on Combustion, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1981, pp. 1427–37.
T.H. Fletcher: Ph.D. Dissertation, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 1983.
Y.B. Hahn and H.Y. Sohn:Metall. Trans. B, 1990, vol. 00B, pp. 959–66.
P.C. Chaubal: Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 1986.
P.C. Chaubal and H.Y. Sohn: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, unpublished research, 1987.
P.C. Chaubal and H.Y. Sohn:Metall. Trans. B, 1986, vol. 17B, pp. 51–60.
J.E. Dutrizac:Can. Mineral., 1976, vol. 14, pp. 172–81.
F.R.A. Jorgensen:Proc. Australas. Inst. Min. Metall., 1983, vol. 288, pp. 37–46.
R.B. Bird, W.E. Stewart, and E.N. Lightfoot:Transport Phenomena, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 1960, p. 647.
T. Kumura, Y. Ojima, Y. Mori, and Y. Ishii: The ReinhardtSchumann Int. Symp. on Innovative Technology and Reactor Design in Extraction Metallurgy, D.R. Gaskell, J.P. Hager, J.E. Hoffmann, and P.J. Mackey, eds., TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1986, pp. 403–18.
E. Partelpoeg:Flash Reaction Processes, Proc. of a Center for Pyrometallurgy Conf., University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, June 15–17, 1988, D.G.C. Robertson, H.Y. Sohn, and N.J. Themelis, eds., Center for Pyrometallurgy, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO, 1988, pp. 35–45.
E.E. Khalil, D.B. Spalding, and J.H. Whitelaw:Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 1975, vol. 18, pp. 775–90.
P.J. Smith: Ph.D. Dissertation, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 1979.
P.J. Smith: Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, personal communication, Nov. 1987.
A.D. Gosman and W.M. Pun: Lecture Notes for Course Entitled “Calculation of Recirculating Flows,” Imperial College, London, 1973.
S.V. Patankar:Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 1980, pp. 79–135.
J. Asteljoki: Outokumpu Oy, Pori, Finland, personal communication, Feb. 1987.
J. Makinen: Outokumpu Oy, Harjavalta, Finland, personal communication, Feb. 1987.
N. Kemori, Y. Ojima, and Y. Kondo:Flash Reaction Processes, Proc. of a Center for Pyrometallurgy Conf., University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, June 15-17, 1988, D.G.C. Robertson, H.Y. Sohn, and N.J. Themelis, eds., Center for Pyrometallurgy, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO, 1988, pp. 47–68.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Formerly Graduate Student, Department of Metallurgical Engineering, University of Utah.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hahn, Y.B., Sohn, H.Y. Mathematical modeling of sulfide flash smelting process: Part I. Model development and verification with laboratory and pilot plant measurements for chalcopyrite concentrate smelting. Metall Trans B 21, 945–958 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02670265
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02670265