A simplified mathematical model for gas-solid flow in a blast furnace

This paper presents a numerical study of the behaviour of solid flow in a two-dimensional blast furnace with or without gas flow. The mathematical model, as a simplified version of the more detailed model developed earlier, is similar to the so-called viscous flow model but the method to determine the stagnant zone profile is similar to that used in the kinematic model. The study shows that the simplified model is able to capture the key flow characteristics of solid flow in a blast furnace and describe reasonably the effects of gas and solid flowrates, and particle properties, although the predicted quasi-stagnant zone may be smaller. The advantage of the present approach is that it can be readily implemented in a full process model that needs to have a quick response to change for the purpose of control and optimisation.