**Hiroshi Mio 1,\*, Yoichi Narita 2, Kaoru Nakano <sup>1</sup> and Seiji Nomura <sup>1</sup>**


Received: 26 November 2019; Accepted: 17 December 2019; Published: 18 December 2019

**Abstract:** The objective of this paper was to develop a prediction tool for the burden distribution in a charging process of a bell-less-type blast furnace using the discrete element method (DEM). The particle behavior on the rotating chute and on the burden surface was modeled, and the burden distribution was analyzed. Furthermore, the measurements of the burden distribution in a 1/3-scale experimental blast furnace were performed to validate the simulated results. Particle size segregation occurred during conveying to the experimental blast furnace. The smaller particles were initially discharged followed by the larger ones later. This result was used as an input in the simulation. The burden profile simulated using DEM was similar to the experimental one. The terrace was found at the burden surface subsequent to ore-charging, and its simulated position simulated agreed with that of the experimental result. The surface angle of the ore layer was mostly similar. The simulated ore to coke mass ratio (O/C) distribution in the radial direction and the mean particle diameter distribution correlated with the experimental results very well. It can be concluded that this method of particle simulation of the bell-less charging process is highly reliable in the prediction of the burden distribution in a blast furnace.

**Keywords:** DEM; blast furnace; burden distribution; particle flow; validation
