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Study on Numerical Simulation of Blast Furnace Injection of Low-Rank Coal by Hydrothermal Carbonization

Author

Listed:
  • Yu Zeng

    (State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Nan Zhang

    (Henan Iron and Steel Group, Henan Advanced Steel Materials Industry Research Institute, Zhengzhou 450046, China)

  • Andrey Karasev

    (Material Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Xiaojun Ning

    (State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Guangwei Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Jianliang Zhang

    (State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Chuan Wang

    (Material Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden)

Abstract

This study carried out a detailed investigation into the potential application of hydrothermally treated bituminous coal (hydrochar) as an injectant in blast furnace (BF) ironmaking. A tuyere model was constructed through simulation methods, and the influence of hydrochar injection on the thermal conditions within the BF hearth was also thoroughly analyzed. The results show that the gas flow velocity at the lower part of the tuyere of hydrochar injection increases, and the residual carbon mass fraction of the tuyere decreases. As the oxygen-enriched concentration increases, the CO concentration decreases. The CO concentration in the swirl zone after hydrochar injection is the highest, reaching 43.93%. The distributions of CO and CO 2 exhibit opposite tendencies. Following hydrochar injection, a marked rise in temperature is observed. At an oxygen enrichment level of 30%, the tuyere zone temperature associated with hydrochar injection peaks, surpassing 2700 K. The corresponding pulverized coal burnout rate is also the highest. Thus, the injection of hydrochar has a positive impact on the air flow and temperature field, which can effectively maintain the heat balance and is conducive to strengthening BF smelting.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu Zeng & Nan Zhang & Andrey Karasev & Xiaojun Ning & Guangwei Wang & Jianliang Zhang & Chuan Wang, 2025. "Study on Numerical Simulation of Blast Furnace Injection of Low-Rank Coal by Hydrothermal Carbonization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:19:p:5141-:d:1759635
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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