Recently, Baosteel Company has implemented the third-phase coke oven, which is one of the critical components in the steel making process. In this coke oven, heating plays a very important role in achieving desirable results. Therefore, various models were developed to better understand the heating process in this oven.
The two-dimensional, two-phase model is the most commonly used model for the coking process. In this model, the heat is applied externally through conduction compared to internal heat applied through convection. This model is known as the standard two-dimensional heat conduction model. It uses a finite difference method, where the heat transfer equation is solved by finite difference approximation. The model is based on the assumption of a uniform heat flux applied to the surface.
However, this model can be further developed to account for the effects of non-uniform heat flux and temperature inhomogeneity on the heating process. This is done by extending the standard two-dimensional heat conduction model to the three-dimensional, two-phase model. This model is often referred to as the two-phase, three-dimensional, two-phase model.
In this model, the heat is applied not only through conduction, but also through convection. The convection can be induced by the boundary layer and/or the heat source itself. The boundary layer is used to denote the layer of heated air within the oven which can cause thermal flows from the hot side to the cold side. This causes a non-uniform heat flux and temperature distributions, which are captured by this extended three-dimensional model.
In addition to the two-dimensional, two-phase model, there is another possibility of modeling the heating process in the coke oven. This is known as the finite element heat transfer model (FEHTM). The FEHTM is based on the same assumptions as the standard two-dimensional heat conduction model and is solved using the finite element method. The finite element method is a numerical technique that can accurately capture the non-uniform heat flux and temperature profile in complex geometries. The FEHTM can also provide a more accurate prediction of the thermal state of the coke oven and can be used to optimize the heating process.
In conclusion, different models have been developed to better understand and optimize the heating process in the coke oven. The two-dimensional, two-phase model is the most commonly used model and can be used to simulate the process. However, the two-phase, three-dimensional, two-phase model and the finite element heat transfer model can be used to give a more accurate representation of the temperature distribution and heat flux in the coke oven. Thus, both models are useful for the Baosteel Company in achieving the desired results in their third-phase coke oven project.
