6. Conclusion

In this study, a coupled discrete-continuous method known as XDEM is introduced, which is able to model different zones of a blast furnace. The governing equations for both continuous and discrete phases are solved through a coupling procedure for mass, momentum and energy equations. The multi-scale and multi-physics characteristic of the XDEM method make it suitable for the complex phenomena modelling such as blast furnace process. The proposed model was applied to different parts of the blast furnace. The results for the shaft, cohesive zone and dripping zone have been validated and compared to experimental data, which shows the reliability of the XDEM method to take into account the whole blast furnace process in the near future.

R Universal gas constant J:mol<sup>1</sup>

r Reaction rate

Greek symbols

∇ Nabla operator

r Density Kg:m<sup>3</sup>

ν Velocity m:s<sup>1</sup>

E Volume fraction

τ Stress strain tensor Kg:m<sup>1</sup>:s<sup>2</sup>

μ Dynamic viscosity Kg:m<sup>1</sup>:s<sup>1</sup>

β Mass transfer coefficient m:s<sup>1</sup>

λ Thermal conductivity W:m<sup>1</sup>:K<sup>1</sup>

ω\_ Reaction source term mol:m<sup>3</sup>:s<sup>1</sup>

ε<sup>p</sup> Porosity within a porous particle ()

γ Stoichiometric coefficient ()

Subscripts and superscripts

ω Angular velocity (Rad:s1)

α Heat transfer coefficient W:m<sup>2</sup>:K<sup>1</sup>

Δ Difference

ψ Variable

ϕ Porosity

f Fluid g Gas s Solid l Liquid

∂ Differential operator

:K<sup>1</sup>

The eXtended Discrete Element Method (XDEM): An Advanced Approach to Model Blast Furnace

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