Finite element modeling of pyrometallurgical vessel shell-refractory interaction

摘要

This paper describes the use of finite element techniques in developing a better understanding of the structural interaction between the refractory brick lining and the cylindrical steel shell in converters, anode furnaces and similar vessels which are widely used in the nickel and copper smelting industries. We know from experience that the highest stresses in the steel shell are produced by the thermal expansion of the refractory lining. However, to predict accurately what this stress values might be has been a difficult task, due to the complexity of the problem, from a stress analysis point of view, an also because of the lack of getting useful physical data on refractory bricks under operating conditions. Nowadays, with the advent of powerful computers and general purpose finite element programs such as ANSYS~circleR, it is possible to get a better understanding of difficult stress analysis problems. The authors contend that this is now the case with the refractory/steel shell interaction problem encountered in furnaces operating at high temperature.