CFD Modeling of the Melting Behavior of a Fayalitic Slag

Abstract

The melting behavior of a fayalitic slag was investigated with computational fluid dynamics and validated with experimental data. A heating microscope was employed to perform a typical ash melting behavior (AMB) test, in order to gain information about the melting behavior of the slag. The numerical approach is based on using the volume of fluid (VOF) method, in order to track the interface between the slag and the gas phases, and on the enthalpy–porosity model, in order to simulate the slag as a phase change material (PCM). The combined VOF-PCM model was therefore applied to perform a parameter study on the mushy zone constant $$A_{\rm mushy}$$ A mushy , which enters the equations of the enthalpy–porosity sub-model and is an a priori unknown. The goal of the investigation was to determine the correct value for $$A_{\rm mushy}$$ A mushy , by comparing the numerical results to the AMB test.