Physical Modeling of Metallurgical Slag Foaming Induced by Chemical Reaction

Control of slag foaming induced by chemical reactions is vital for efficient and safe production of metallurgical processes. Through physical modeling, this paper investigates the effects of amount of gas generated, viscosity, and surface tension of the slag on the slag foaming induced by chemical reaction. The research outcomes indicate that the maximum volume fraction of gas increases and spherical-cell foam gradually evolves into polyhedral-cell foam with increasing generation of gas. The evolution of the foam structure is prevented by an increase in the viscosity of the slag. As the viscosity of the slag increases, the maximum volume fraction of gas increases first and consequently marginally decreases. With decreasing the surface tension, the maximum volume fraction of gas increases and the decaying rate of foam decreases. The increase in the maximum volume fraction of gas arising from decreasing surface tension is reduced with increasing generation of gas.