Modelling the Movement of Concentrate Particles in a Flash Furnace

Using the numerical modelling, the movement of the solid phase in the form of concentrate particles was analysed in the space of the reaction shaft and in the settler of the flash furnace. The calculations were carried out using a two-phase flow module. It was found that for all analysed concentrate particle sizes their share in the reaction shaft decreased over time. The particles moved in the form of one stream extending along the reaction shaft, accumulating on the side walls of the shaft and settler. Vortices were formed in the region of the settler tub containing particles to the upper spaces of the reaction shaft. The proportion of concentrate particles along the center of the reaction shaft after 60 s is 70 μm 1% - 3% for particles, 80 μm 0.1% - 0.7%, and for 100 μm 0,2m 0.2% - 0.7%. Along the side walls of the shaft, the shares of 70 μm particles varied between 40% and 9% over a shaft length of 5.5 m, and over 1.5 m from 12% to 10%. For 80 μm particles, the shares were 5% to 1%. The shares of 100 μm particles over a length of 1.5 m varied between 7% and 3%, and over a length of 5.5 m from 7% to 2%. Along the 70 μm reaction shaft, the concentrate particles moved the fastest at a speed of 8 m/s to 0.23 m/s. The 80 μm particles moved fastest in the range of 13 m/s to 3 m/s, and the 100 μm particles from 0.4 m/s to 2 m/s.