Conceptual Tapping Model of Mn-Ferroalloy Furnaces

Abstract

The tapping process of submerged arc furnaces, like the Mn-ferroalloy production process, is when you drain the liquid metal and slag from the furnace. The optimal tapping process is when slag and metal is drained from the furnace at the same rate as it is produced, and the slag and metal is being separated in the post-tap hole process. Industrially, this is not always the case. Based on published articles, this paper discusses the total tapping process that contains the consecutive steps of flow from back electrodes to the tap electrode and flow from the tap electrode through the tap hole and runner, and into the ladle system. It focuses on an overall summary of which elements may affect the tapping; however, it should be noted that this is not a mathematical model. The main information is regarding materials and zones in the furnaces, as well as knowledge from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling work.