Phase field modelling of the attachment of metallic droplets to solid particles in liquid slags: Influence of particle characteristics

Abstract Metallic droplets can be attached to solids in slags, resulting in insufficient decantation and eventually production losses in several metal producing industries. Experiments and previous simulations indicate that interfacial energies play an important role in this interaction. In the present work, a recently developed phase field model is used to evaluate the influence of the morphology and fraction of the solid particles on the attachment behaviour of metallic droplets to solid particles. When the metallic droplets wet the solid particle partly or fully, the size, shape and proximity of the solid particles influence the size and number of attached droplets. The perimeter per area only influences the amount of attached metal at high wettability. Moreover, the space available around the particle, determined by the shape and proximity of other particles, can restrict the amount of attached metal. The simulations reveal that, in practice, fewer but larger solid particles close to each other would give rise to less attached metal and thus the chance for metal losses by mechanical entrainment decreases.