Improving Acoustic-Based Slag Foam Control Systems in the BOF

The control of slag foaming is vital to optimizing BOF performance. Acoustics systems have been applied to BOF monitoring but there is limited information about their accuracy and reliability. Improved understanding of the fundamental behavior of sound in slag foam will help resolve issues pertaining to reliability. The present study is based on physical modelling experiments using scaled models and acrylic vessels. Foams heights were experimentally manipulated, and acoustic transmission was monitored by transmitting pure tone sine waves through the bottom of the foam and measuring acoustic response via microphones. The results showed that acoustic frequencies above 1000 Hz were more sensitive and had greater precision to varying foam heights. This highlights the importance of examining frequency bandwidths that optimize the sensitivity and reliability of the measurement. The prospective application of this knowledge to industrial systems aimed at improving their accuracy and reliability will be discussed.