Computational fluid dynamics
At the Unit of Processes, we use computational fluid dynamics to simulate steelmaking processes. We then use water modelling to test the simulations and work with industry partners to bring our innovations to full deployment.
Examples:
- The development of new ingot casting strategies to minimise turbulence and incorporation of oxide into the metal.
- Scaling up of an ironmaking process that uses plasma to heat and reduce the oxide. We work to ensure good mixing even in large scales.
- Fundamental investigations of chemical reactions in the argon oxygen decarburisation (AOD) converter to maximise removal of carbon and minimise loss of other elements.
- Simulation and experiments to understand the behaviour of bubbles in liquids to optimise stirring in steelmaking.