Use of Computational Thermodynamic Calculations in Studying the Slag/Steel Equilibrium during Vacuum Degassing

• The effectiveness of a ladle refining process for production of tool steel with focus on the top slag is studied using computational thermodynamic calculations. The theoretical assessment was based on compositional data of steel and slag samples collected during trials in a plant equipped with a 65-t EAF, a ladle furnace and a vacuum degasser The calculation of slag-metal equilibrium during ladle treatment was performed for top slag excluding (Case A) and including (Case B) slag carryover and deoxidation products. The predictions showed that slag carryover and deoxidation products in the ladle significantly affect the composition of the top slag. Thus, these conditions must be taken into consideration when predicting the actual top slag composition. It was also found that it is possible to predict the final aluminium and sulphur content in steel based on the same calculation approach.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Metallurgi och metalliska material (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Metallurgy and Metallic Materials (hsv//eng)

Keyword

ladle slag

computational thermodynamics

tool steel

ladle refining

synthetic slag

ladle glaze

slag carryover

SULFIDE CAPACITY

SLAG COMPOSITION

STEEL PRODUCTION

MOLTEN STEEL

METAL

DESULFURIZATION

Metallurgical process engineering

Metallurgisk processteknik

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)