3D numerical simulation on the flow field of single tuyere blast furnaces: A case study of the Shuiquangou iron smelting site dated from the 9th to 13th century in China

Two round and two square blast furnaces used for cast iron smelting were excavated at the Shuiquangou smelting site near Beijing that was dated from the 9th to 13th century. On the basis of the data from 3D laser scanning and a comparison with other smelting sites, both the round and square furnaces were reconstructed. Based on two limit data groups and one median data group, the flow fields in the furnaces were simulated by applying the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. A special flow field with vortex was qualitatively indicted to be caused by the construction of a single slant tuyere. This single slant tuyere was beneficial to the flow transportation, reactions and gas distribution in the furnaces. This construction was common in furnaces in the Central Plains during the same period. Compared with the square furnace, the round furnace was more complicated and advanced. The square furnace followed the furnace profile and blast design from North-eastern China. The CFD method was found to be helpful in the research on the history of iron smelting.