Design and Parameter Optimization of High Efficiency and Low Consumption Swirl Oxygen Lance in Steelmaking Process

In order to increase the slag melting rate and the oxygen utilization ratio, reduce the process consumption, and shorten the blowing time, a swirl oxygen lance is designed in the steelmaking process. A dynamic model of the swirl oxygen lance is established, including a 3D structure model of the swirl oxygen lance nozzle and converter. Adopting the standard k – ε turbulence model and Volume of Fluid (VOF) method, the flow fields in the rotary oxygen lance smelting converter are numerically simulated, revealing the dynamic characteristics of a supersonic jet under coupled temperature field and tracking the gas−liquid two‐phase interface distribution. The designed operation parameters of the swirl oxygen lance nozzle were evaluated and optimized by a cold gas jet experiment combined with the industrial‐scale tests. The results show that the swirl oxygen lance can effectively reduce the spillage phenomenon, improve slagging effect, and decrease the phosphorus content, oxygen consumption, and slag total iron. This contribution not only gives full play to the swirl oxygen lance's excellent advantages of slag melting and slag splashing, but also solves the serious problem of erosion in the molten pool, so that the swirl oxygen lance can be popularized and applied in medium and large converters.