Buoyancy Control of Slag Droplets in Molten Metal Using Lorentz Force

摘要

Mixing and separation between metal-slag phases have been required in steelmaking processes. In order to realize these operations, imposition of Lorentz force is one of useful tools, where both direct electric current and stationary magnetic field is adopted. Vertical Lorentz force can control buoyancy force, even if the liquid flow exists. In this paper, model experiments using gallium-indium alloy and silicone oil were conducted, where weight change of a small sphere in liquid metal and upward velocity of a liquid droplet were measured. From the results of the experiments, the validity of irrotational Lorentz force will be shown even if the strong agitation exists due to the non-uniformity of the imposed electric current and imposed magnetic field.