The circulation period of RH vacuum refining was studied to promote the refining efficiency. The influences of the lift gas flow rate and submersion depth of snorkels on the circulation period, and the relationship between mixing time and circulation flow were discussed. The effects of the lift gas flow rate and submersion depth on the degassing rate in one circulation period were studied by water modeling. The results show that the circulation period is shortened by increasing the lift gas flow rate. The circulation period is the shortest when the submersion depth of snorkels is 560 mm. The whole ladle can be mixed thoroughly after three times of circulation. Increasing the lift gas flow rate can enhance the degassing rate of RH circulation.