Konzipierung eines EERZ-Modells für den EAF-Prozess mittels computergestützter Thermodynamik

In the context of the ongoing decarburization of the steel industry, alternatives to the CO2-intensive integrated route are rapidly gaining relevance. Examples include crude steel production via the electric arc furnace (EAF) process from steel scrap and/or from direct reduced iron. As a highly flexible furnace with up to 100% solid input material, the EAF is a crucial factor in the shaping of future steelmaking in Austria and throughout Europe. Specific process parameters may vary depending on the location, the operating company and other conditions. Optimizing these parameters through test series on the actual unit is generally risky and costly. A suitable alternative is provided by process simulations, which reproduce the metallurgical process in a realistic digital form and are capable of predicting temperatures, compositions, and amounts over the course of the process. In the field of liquid-phase metallurgy, Effective Equilibrium Reaction Zone models (EERZ) are particularly useful. Based on well-established thermodynamic databases, these models allow for realistic simulations of metallurgical processes while providing a relatively simple implementation and brief computation times. As part of the present thesis, a recently developed EERZ model from the literature was replicated and its applicability for the prediction of temperature, amount and composition of off-gas was investigated. Additionally, the model was tested using process data. Furthermore, parameter studies were used to determine the effect of oxygen allocation to different reaction zones on the slagging behavior of alloying elements.