Numerical modelling of blast furnace – Evolution and recent trends

Abstract

ABSTRACT In a journey of centuries, the ironmaking blast furnace has gone through many technological changes, which made it a fit-for-purpose till today. However, for the first time in history, its existence is being challenged by other iron making processes, due to its high carbon footprint compared to others. Many researchers are working on adapting the existing blast furnace process to meet the new challenges. Modelling has played a crucial role in new adaptations of the process. The present review has been dedicated to historical developments of blast furnace modelling. The models are broadly classified into comprehensive, zone-specific, and data-driven models. The comprehensive models are further classified into lumped models, 1-D, 2-D and 3-D steady state and transient models, and CFD-DEM models. For the purpose of brevity, the zone-specific models are exemplified by burden distribution models only. Finally, developments in data-driven models are discussed, before some general conclusions are presented.