An Insight into the Mechanism and Kinetics of Reactions In BOF Steelmaking: Theory vs Practice

A thermodynamic (equilibrium) model is developed for the BOF process. The predictions of this model show the trend of reactions when the process is considered to be at thermodynamic equilibrium. In the case of a real process, however, some tuning and adaptation becomes necessary to make more accurate predictions. A dynamic model is developed in which the kinetics of scrap dissolution is also incorporated. A comparison of the results of the equilibrium and dynamic models (made with some tuning parameters) reveals that mixing is the prime factor which can alter the course of reaction at any particular instant. Mixing is greatly affected by oxygen flow rate, lance height and the nature of scrap. The understanding of the secrets of process dynamics becomes clearer with this approach, providing a good insight into the process.