2001 Marco A. Ramirez Argaez Mathematical Modeling of Iron and Steel Making Processes. Modeling of a DC Electric Arc Furnace. Mixing i isijinternational.41.1146

The Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) process, a significant method for steel production, has been increasingly adopted, representing nearly 40% of global crude steel output. While advancements such as Direct Current (DC-EAF) have emerged, boasting enhanced energy and electrode efficiency alongside reduced noise, the primary benefit of the DC system lies in its ability to prevent flicker effects owing to more stable arc operations. Despite improvements since the late 1800s, including the transition to DC technology in the 1980s, EAF efficiency has reached a plateau, necessitating deeper fundamental understanding of the metallurgical processes involved. This study details initial efforts to model fluid flow and heat transfer within the EAF bath under the influence of the electric arc, stemming from pioneering work by Szekely and McKelliget, who employed simplified turbulent Navier–Stokes equations. Their approaches revealed the complex dynamics of heat transfer mechanisms yet highlighted limitations regarding gas injection and slag phase considerations. Subsequent mathematical modeling by Kurimoto et al. expanded on these findings but also faced accuracy challenges. This paper synthesizes existing research to identify gaps and propose directions for enhancing EAF operational efficiency through advanced modeling techniques.