According to similarity theory

the bubble behavior in single snorkel refining furnace has simulated by u- sing a scale 1 ：4 water model for an 80 t single snorkel refining furnace at steel works

and the effect of gas blowing rate (2~10 L/min) and plug diameter (15~30 mm) on bubble behavior and mixing time is analyzed. Water simulation results show that with increasing gas blowing rate the mixing time decreases

but as gas blowing rate >6 L/min

the mixing time has no obvious change ； at equal gas blowing rate

with increasing plug diameter the mixing time decreases. Based on water model experimental study

the pilot production of ultra-low carbon steel by an 80 t single snorkel refining furnace has been carried out. Results show that within decarburization time for 18 min in single snorkel refining furnace the carbo

n content in steel may decrease to 10 x 10

-6

at the condition of using 4 kg/t desulphurizing agent the sulphur content in finished steel is (20 - 30) x 10

-6

and the average desulphurizing rate is 49% ; the average argon blowing intensity is 4 L/(t • min) of a single snorkel refining furnace

it is 25% that of a RH unit with same capacity