Mining, Minerals Processing and Metallurgical Engineering

CFD modeling of gas−liquid mixing and splashing in industrial-scale bottom-blowing furnace: Effects of melt viscosity

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  • a School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China;

    b Shuikoushan Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd., Changning 421513, China

Online published: 2026-06-29

Abstract

The effects of high-lead slag viscosity on gas−liquid mixing efficiency, splashing behavior, and furnace lining erosion were investigated in an oxygen bottom-blowing lead smelting process incorporating lead-containing waste materials. A multi-fluid volume of fluid (VOF) model, integrating experimentally determined slag viscosity values, was used to examine these interactions. The results indicated that optimal gas−liquid mixing occurred at viscosity values of 0.01 and 0.5 Pa·s, while minimal splashing was observed within the viscosity range of 0.1−0.25 Pa·s, corresponding to temperatures of approximately 1076−1100 °C. The regions surrounding the oxygen lances were most susceptible to erosion. Shear stress increased with an increase in melt viscosity, particularly rapidly in the viscosity range of 0.1−0.25 Pa·s. It was recommended that the melt viscosity should be maintained within 0.01−0.1 Pa·s to minimize erosion.

Cite this article

Cheng-lin LI, You YAN, Ao HAO, Wei-wen HU, Zi-lin YANG, Dong-ling WU, Liu LIU, Hong-jie YAN . CFD modeling of gas−liquid mixing and splashing in industrial-scale bottom-blowing furnace: Effects of melt viscosity[J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2026 , 36(6) : 1934 -1948 . DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(26)67070-7

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