Physical modelling of the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) was undertaken with the object of developing an overall flow pattern within the vessel as a function of fluid flow dynamics-vessel geometry interaction. The study was initiated as the result of localised refractory wear occurring in the knuckle region of a BOF vessel. The occurrence of the wear coincided with a change in lance tip design. This preferential wear limited the campaign life of the vessel. Modelling the fluid dynamics of the system was carried out to examine any possible relationship between fluid fow patterns and this refractory wear pattern. The fourfold symmetry of the newer lance tip allowed the application of a quadrant sector model of the bath. This simplified the flow to the effect of an individual nozzle. A scale of one-sixth was chosen on the basis of the bath depth and flowrates required. Results from this work indicate that waves may have a role in this localised wear. The multiphase system of the BOF involving supersonic gas jets, molten iron, and slag, and the interaction between these, ensure that there is no single model in which all facets of similarity may be satisfied simultaneously. This is the major problem in modelling the BOF.
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