Simulation of Thermal Stresses in Steelmaking Ladles

T. SIMARO; M. ROSSI ; D. JOHNSON ; A. GIMENEZ; S. LUCERO ; L. MARTORELLO; L. MUSANTE; P. GALLIANO

Rosario

Conferencia; 20º Steel Conference IAS 2014; 2014

IAS

A thermo-mechanical finite element model was developed by using FEA commercial software, in order to estimate thermal stress levels in a refractory lined steelmaking ladle shell. The model considers two refractory linings: an innerworking lining and a permanent one besides the external ladle shell. In this way, stresses on both refractory lining and metallic shell due to restricted lining thermal expansion were simulated. Stress-strain curves of refractory lining materials at different temperatures in the preheating range were obtainedthrough lab tests and then used for model optimization. Additionally, creep behavior in the steel shell under different tensile stresses and temperatures was also estimated taking into account previously obtained results from laboratory tests. In plant measurements were done by instrumenting the lower part of the ladle sidewall shell with high temperature strain gauges and thermocouples. Predicted stress evolution showed good agreement with results obtained from in plant measurements. From this work, criteria for ladle shell maintenance in Tenaris ladles based on expected mean life was optimized. Estimations of stresses in the refractory lining can be also obtained through this model and can be used for ladle design optimization in order to minimize damage risk