Effects of internal parts on burden distribution and segregation in bell-less top blast furnace

As the key equipment connecting the feeding belt to the top of blast furnace, the structure of the hoppers directly affects the burden distribution in blast furnace throat. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the suitable structure of the hoppers to optimize the burden and gas distribution of the blast furnace and improve the gas utilization rate. A three-dimensional model of a 1:1 bell-less top blast furnace with serial-type hoppers was established based on the discrete element method, which simulates the entire movement process of the burden from the belt to each hopper and then to the throat. The effects of internal components, such as the distributor, guiding cone, and buffer platform, on particle size segregation in the upper hopper, the weighing hopper, and the throat of the blast furnace were investigated. The results indicate that removing the distributor can reduce the burden segregation during the discharge from the weighing hopper. The guiding cone significantly infiuences the radial particle size distribution within the weighing hopper and its discharge. Eliminating the buffer platform promotes a more uniform burden distribution both in the weighing hopper and the throat of the blast furnace. Among the conditions investigated, removing the distributor and the buffer platform yields the best distribution, with the segregation index improved by 92% compared to the base model, which is recommended for practical operations.