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Thermodynamics, Precipitation Kinetics, Coupled Models Development: Three Main Axes of Research in Physical Chemistry at Arcelormittal Global R&D Maizières Process
Author(s) -
Lehmann J.,
Bontems N.,
Simmonet M.,
Gardin P.,
Zhang L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
steel research international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.603
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1869-344X
pISSN - 1611-3683
DOI - 10.1002/srin.201000056
Subject(s) - development (topology) , precipitation , process (computing) , process development , representation (politics) , thermodynamics , domain (mathematical analysis) , computer science , chemistry , materials science , process engineering , mathematics , physics , engineering , meteorology , politics , law , political science , operating system , mathematical analysis
This paper gives an overview of the last advances at ArcelorMittal Global R&D Maizières Process in physical‐chemistry modelling applied to steel elaboration. In thermochemistry, progress is expected to come from the development of more precise solution models with higher extrapolability potential. Incentive for this research field is coming from the development of new grades and from the necessity of a better control of the steel composition. The Generalized Central Atom statistical thermodynamic model is an example of development in this domain and is used both to improve and to extend to new components the Cell model for slags as well as to model high alloyed and segregated liquid steels. The driving force for the development of precipitation kinetics models is the necessity to identify actuators able to optimize the precipitates characteristics so as to minimize defects occurrence or to improve in‐use properties of the final products. The software MIPPHASOLACIDO dedicated to this research field has been recently improved in terms of computing times by the adoption of a recent mathematical technique: the DQMOM. The very last development consists in a description of interfacial tension of precipitates as function of their composition. It suggests that trace elements entering in precipitates could have a large impact on the precipitates characteristics. The challenge in the development of coupled models associating thermodynamics and fluid dynamics is to have a description taking into account all the phenomena necessary to get a realistic representation of the reactors while keeping computing times under reasonable limits. The example presented corresponds to the very first steps of a modeling of the desulfurization process in a secondary metallurgy ladle.