The Effect of the MgO Content of Slag on its Penetrability into the Refractory Lining in a Ferrochrome Converter

12 Pages Posted: 22 Sep 2021

See all articles by Ville-Valtteri Visuri

Ville-Valtteri Visuri

Outokumpu Stainless Oy

Eetu-Pekka Heikkinen

University of Oulu

J Kaisto

Outokumpu Stainless Oy

A Harju

University of Oulu

R Mattila

University of Oulu

P Kupari

Outokumpu Stainless Oy

T Ikäheimonen

Outokumpu Stainless Oy

Timo Fabritius

University of Oulu- Process Metallurgy Research Unit

Date Written: September 12, 2021

Abstract

The refining of ferrochrome with a ferrochrome converter permits the use of molten ferrochrome in an integrated stainless steel mill. During this process, the carbon and silicon contents of the ferrochrome are reduced using oxygen-blowing. To keep the slag liquid and maintain its compatibility with the employed refractory lining, the composition of the slag needs to be modified by slag former additions to compensate for the formation of SiO2. The objective of this work was to study the effect of the MgO content of slag on the penetration of the slag into the refractory lining. The reactivity between the slag and the refractory lining was studied by comparing the reactivity in high-temperature crucible experiments. The MgO and CaO stabilized slag was compared to MgO saturated slag which wears the magnesia lining less. The results of the experiments suggest that the refractory wear can be reduced by increasing the MgO content of the slag. The reduced refractory wear was verified in an experimental campaign conducted at Outokumpu Stainless Oy in Tornio, Finland. Consequently, it is concluded that modifying slag with dolomite lime can lead to significant economic benefits.

Keywords: stainless steelmaking, ferrochrome converter, refractory lining, crucible experiments

Suggested Citation

Visuri, Ville-Valtteri and Heikkinen, Eetu-Pekka and Kaisto, J and Harju, A and Mattila, R and Kupari, P and Ikäheimonen, T and Fabritius, Timo, The Effect of the MgO Content of Slag on its Penetrability into the Refractory Lining in a Ferrochrome Converter (September 12, 2021). Proceedings of the 16th International Ferro-Alloys Congress (INFACON XVI) 2021, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3926727 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3926727

Ville-Valtteri Visuri (Contact Author)

Outokumpu Stainless Oy ( email )

Finland

Eetu-Pekka Heikkinen

University of Oulu ( email )

P.O. Box 4600
Oulu FIN-90014, 90570
Finland

J Kaisto

Outokumpu Stainless Oy ( email )

Finland

A Harju

University of Oulu ( email )

P.O. Box 4600
Oulu FIN-90014, 90570
Finland

R Mattila

University of Oulu ( email )

P.O. Box 4600
Oulu FIN-90014, 90570
Finland

P Kupari

Outokumpu Stainless Oy ( email )

Finland

T Ikäheimonen

Outokumpu Stainless Oy ( email )

Finland

Timo Fabritius

University of Oulu- Process Metallurgy Research Unit ( email )

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