Multiobjective Collaborative Optimization of Argon Bottom Blowing in a Ladle Furnace Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

In order to consider both the refining efficiency of the ladle furnace (LF) and the quality of molten steel, the water model experiment is carried out. In this study, the single factor analysis, central composite design principle, response surface methodology, visual analysis of response surface, and multiobjective optimization are used to obtain the optimal arrangement scheme of argon blowing of LF, design the experimental scheme, establish the prediction models of mixing time (MT) and slag eye area (SEA), analyze the comprehensive effects of different factors on MT and SEA, and obtain the optimal process parameters, respectively. The results show that when the identical porous plug radial position is 0.6R and the separation angle is 135°, the mixing behavior is the best. Moreover, the optimized parameter combination is obtained based on the response surface model to simultaneously meet the requirements of short MT and small SEA in the LF refining process. Meanwhile, compared with the predicted values, the errors of MT and SEA for different conditions from the experimental values are 1.3% and 2.1%, 1.3% and 4.2%, 2.5% and 3.4%, respectively, which is beneficial to realizing the modeling of argon bottom blowing in the LF refining process and reducing the interference of human factors.

Effect of Argon Flow Rate on Power Consumption of a 120‐t Ladle Furnace

“…[20,21] Researchers such as Xin have utilized methodologies like single factor analysis, central composite design, and response surface methodology to optimize the argon blowing scheme in ladle furnaces. [22] Li has studied the effects of the argon flow rate, slag thickness, slag viscosity controlled by solid-liquid-gas equilibrium, and slag-steel interfacial energy…”

“…[ 20,21 ] Researchers such as Xin have utilized methodologies like single factor analysis, central composite design, and response surface methodology to optimize the argon blowing scheme in ladle furnaces. [ 22 ] Li has studied the effects of the argon flow rate, slag thickness, slag viscosity controlled by solid–liquid–gas equilibrium, and slag–steel interfacial energy by simulating bubble behavior and the evolution of multiphase interfaces and free surfaces in a bubble–metal–slag multiphase system. [ 13 ] Similarly, Zheng established a physical model to study the mechanism of inclusion removal from molten steel by bubbles during the refining process with argon blowing and showed that both smaller and larger gas flow rates seemed to be efficient for inclusion removal.…”