Numerical Simulation of Turbulence Intensity of an Acid Solution during the Strip Steel Pickling Process

Abstract

This study aims to enhance the efficiency of pickling processes by investigating the impact of strip speed and acid flow rate on the turbulence of the acid solution within the pickling tank. The research quantitatively evaluates the flow field state and distribution of acid temperature within the pickling tank. Through finite element simulation, factors such as jet velocity, strip motion velocity, and acid temperature are considered to determine the turbulence intensity, turbulent kinetic energy, convective heat transfer coefficient, and average temperature of the near-wall layer of the strip surface under the oblique jet. This analysis considers the effects of these parameters on the flow field within the pickling tank. Furthermore, simulations are conducted to assess the turbulence intensity of the acid solution under various conditions. The study reveals that the intake flow rate has a substantial influence on turbulence and temperature rise at the strip exit and inlet, albeit less so, within the acid tank itself. However, an increase in strip speed notably impacts the turbulence within the center of the acid tank. These findings are invaluable for regulating the pickling process and maintaining optimal strip surface quality in industrial production settings.