A mathematical model of the nickel converter

• Main Author: Kyllo, Andrew Kevin
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2010
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/27897

A mathematical model of the nickel converter has been developed based on the assumption that the converting reactions pass through a finite series of equilibrium steps. The model predicts the bath temperature and the composition of the three phases present. Detailed data collected during in-plant trials are used to test the validity of the model predictions. The model is found to give relatively accurate predictions for the first blows of a converting charge, but overpredicts both temperature and iron removal during the last blows. The errors in the last blows are expected to be caused by the converting reactions coming under liquid phase mass transport control. An analysis of some of the more important variables in a converter operation indicates that, according to the assumption of equilibrium, there is very little that can be done to chemically improve the converting process. === Applied Science, Faculty of === Materials Engineering, Department of === Graduate