Application of computational fluid dynamics to steelmaking processes

At SMS Demag, numerical simulations (Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD, and Finite Element Method, FEM) are on indispensable tool for the design of steelmaking plants and the development of new technologies. Despite the enormous progress in computer technology, these simulations today still suffer from limitations that are mainly due to the lack of models and material data as well as strict requirements in terms of computing power Therefore, it will not even in the foreseeable future be possible to take all metallurgical aspects into consideration in simulations. In the case on hand, selected simulation results ore presented for converters, continuous costing plants and a strip costing plant. This type of results serves to improve the understanding of metallurgical processes while increasing the operational reliability and availability of a plant.