Thermomechanical modelling for refractory lining of a steel ladle lifted by crane

Abstract

Numerical methods can be applied on metallurgical processes like engineering design of a steel ladle. In this study, the thermomechanical behaviour of refractory lining of a steel ladle which is lifted by a crane was investigated. To simulate this behaviour coupled heat transfer structural analysis was made by using FEM (Finite-Elements-Method). For these calculations a two-dimensional, an axially symmetrical geometric model and a FE-model of a steel ladle with wear lining consisting of MgO-C brick in the slag zone and castable MgO-Al2O3-Spinel in the working zone were created. Thermal stresses, hydrostatic pressure, gravity of molten steel and slag and refractory lining were used as boundary conditions. The results gained from the calculations showed that the maximum total displacements were observed at the bottom lining of the ladle.