This project is an investigation of the physical chemistry of metallurgical slags in iron and steel making processes. The first part of the study deals with the removal of tramp elements from liquid iron and the second part of the study deals with the influence of surface-active solutes on the surface tension of slag melts. These will be elaborated on briefly in that order in the following. The production of ultra-low C, S and P steels requires that ladle metallurgy be incorporated as an integral part of the steelmaking process. However, current ladle metallurgy practice does not provide for the removal of the so-called tramp elements which occur in recycled scrap steel charged to the Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF). These elements include Sn, Pb and Cu which cannot be removed from steel by selective oxidation into the slag. The increased production of continuously-cast steel has decreased the availability of in-house scrap, and hence has increased the extent to which external scrap must be used. In this project an experimental study will be made of the extent to which Sn, Pb and Cu can be removed from liquid iron by treatment with CaC2-containing slags. Surface tension is one of the major factors which influence the lives and stability of slag foams and the surface tension of metallurgical slags can be significantly decreased by the presence of small concentrations of surface-active solutes. In this project an experimental study will be made of the influence of oxygen pressure and the solutes P2O5, Cr2O3, CaF2 and alkali oxides on CaO-SiO2 and FeO-based melts. The results will provide a basis for understanding the phenomenon of slag foaming.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI)
Application #
8714601
Program Officer
George F. Keyser
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
1987-12-15
Budget End
1991-05-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
$211,449
Indirect Cost
Name
Purdue Research Foundation
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
West Lafayette
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47907