Figure 1. Reheating furnance operations
THE PROBLEM
A reheating furnace is a critical component in value-added steel production. These furnaces can have a significant impact on both product quality and total cost. In order to obtain a better understanding of the furnace operation, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis had been conducted to examine a reheating furnace at ArcelorMittal. The comparison of the simulation results assists in understanding the effective factors which are critical to the improvement of the furnace’s production capacity, thus providing insight into furnace optimization.
THE PROJECT
In this project, CFD analysis had been conducted to simulate the whole heating process and examine the transient three dimensional temperature fields in a reheat furnace. By comparing the simulation results and industrial measurement data, validation had also been achieved for the numerical model. A series of parametric studies such as furnace operations with different burner design and capacities as well as different billet charging conditions, had been conducted to assist in understanding the effective factors which are critical to the improvement of the furnace’s production capacity.
Figure 2. Geometry of the reheating furnace
THE OUTCOME
A 3-D transient, turbulent reacting CFD model had been developed to provide detailed flow characteristics and billet temperature distribution of the furnace. Optimization solutions based on the CFD model results had been recommended to the plant operators. New practices brought out by the simulation allowed sponsors to gain about $30,000 savings per year in reduced furnace delays.
Figure 3. Temperature distribution with door operation
Click the movie below to see the Reheating Furnace in detail.
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Faculty Collaborator: Dr. Chenn Q. Zhou
