Multiphysical Field Coupling Model for Simulating Thermal Stress and Deformation in Ferronickel Submerged Arc Furnace

To address the issue of thermal expansion and stress concentration in furnace body, a 3D multiphysical field coupling model of electromagnetics, fluid flow, and temperature is developed to predict the interaction mechanisms between temperature, thermal stress, and deformation during submerged arc furnace operation. This model integrates electromagnetism, electrothermal conversion, mass and heat transfer, and multiphase flow within a unified computational framework using user‐defined functions. Additionally, it conducts thermal mechanical coupling analyses to describe the thermal deformation and stress concentration behavior in the furnace body. The results indicate that the multiphysical field exhibits strong coupling and nonuniformity. Due to the high thermal resistance of the furnace body material, the temperature between the inner wall of the furnace lining and furnace shell decreases from 1212 to 467 K. When the electrode insertion depth increases from 1.8 to 2.2 m, the maximum temperature of furnace shell increases from 456 to 498 K, and the maximum deformation of furnace shell gradually increases from 28.0 to 30.1 mm. The maximum deformation position occurs at the height of z = 2.45 m. As the electrode insertion depth increases, the stress concentration phenomena in the rib plates, the bottom of furnace shell, and the central area of furnace bottom are enhanced.