Mixing and Mass Transfer in Ladle Refining Process

The mixing time and slag-metal mass transfer coefficient in gas bubbling and induction stirring were measured by water model and plant scale experiments. The mixing time could be related to parameter εV–2/3. In the range of low εV–2/3, the mixing time for induction stirring was shorter than that for gas bubbling. In the range of large εV–2/3, there was litle difference between the two methods of stirring. These phenomena can be explained by a circulating time of bulk flow in gas bubbling and induction stirring. Metal–phase mass transfer coefficient in water model and plant scale experiments could be related to parameter εV–2/3. The metal-phase mass transfer coefficient for gas bubbling was larger than that for induction stirring. These phenomena can be explained by the turbulence fluctuation velocity near the slag-metal interface in gas bubbling and induction stirring.