Bath mixing behaviour in top–bottom–side blown converter

Abstract

The influence of blowing process parameters on bath stirring was investigated in a model of a top–bottom–side blown converter using physical modelling experiments. It was shown that the side blowing gas flowrate has an important influence on bath mixing time which decreases as side tuyere gas flowrate increases up to a critical flowrate and then plateaus. Bottom gas injection is favourable for bath mixing for top–bottom–side blown converters; however, top lance height, top gas flowrate and bath level have little influence.     

Vanadium oxide solubility in CaO–SiO2–VOX system

The solubility of vanadium oxide in the SiO₂–CaO–VO_X system was investigated as a function of basicity (CaO/SiO₂) at a fixed temperature of 1600°C and oxygen partial pressure of 10^?10?atm. Formed phases and microstructures of saturated samples were identified with SEM–EDS analysis and XRD. Maximum solubility of vanadium oxide was between 15 and 20% independent of basicity. Pure karelianite (V₂O₃) was formed in all samples at saturation of vanadium oxide. The morphology of karelianite changed with the change in basicity in the slag, where needles or threads were formed for slags with basicity B2?=?0.54 and B2?=?0.67 and stars or dendritic patterns were formed with basicity B2?=?1.0 and B2?=?1.22. Wollastonite (CaSiO₃) was also formed in the slags with star or dendritic patterns.     

Phase Equilibria in Liquid Metal of the Cu–Al–Cr–O System

A thermodynamic analysis of phase equilibria in the Cu–Al–Cr–O system is carried out. Thermodynamic modeling of the liquidus surface of the Cu₂O–Al₂O₃–Cr₂O₃ oxide phase diagram is performed. To describe activities of an oxide melt, the approximation of the theory of subregular ionic solutions, the energy parameters of which were determined during modeling, is used. Melting characteristics of the CuCrO₂ compound are also evaluated in the course of the calculation. Coordinates of invariant equilibria points implemented in the Cu₂O–Al₂O₃–Cr₂O₃ ternary oxide system are established by the results of the calculation. Thermodynamic modeling of interaction processes in the Cu–Al–Cr–O system in occurrence conditions of a copper-based metal melt is also performed. The temperature dependence of the equilibrium constant of the reaction that characterizes the formation of the CuCrO₂ solid compound from components of the metal melt of the Cu–Al–Cr–O system is determined. The temperature dependence for the first-order interaction parameter (by Wagner) of chromium and oxygen dissolved in liquid copper is found. The results of thermodynamic modeling for the Cu–Al–Cr–O system are presented in the form of the solubility surface of components in metal, which makes it possible to attribute the quantitative variations in the metal melt concentration with qualitative variations in the composition of forming interaction products. It is determined by the results of modeling that particles of the |Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃|_sol.sln solid solution are formed at valuable aluminum and chromium concentrations in the copper melt of the Cu–Al–Cr–O system as the main interaction product. The results of the investigation can be interesting for improving the technology process of smelting of chromium bronzes.     

Thermodynamic description of the interaction processes in the Cu–Ce–O system in the temperature range 1100–1300°C

A thermodynamic simulation and an experimental study of the interaction between cerium and oxygen in liquid copper have been performed. The thermodynamic analysis of the interaction processes in the Cu–Ce–O system is carried out using the technique of constructing the surface of solubility of components in a metal in the temperature range 1100–1300°C. As a result of simulation, data on changes in the Gibbs energy ΔG _T ° and the equilibrium constants of formation of cerium oxides Ce₂O₃ and CeO₂ from the components of a copper-based metallic melt are obtained. The first-order interaction parameters (according to Wagner) of cerium and oxygen dissolved in liquid copper, namely, e _Ce ^Ce, e _O ^Ce, and e _Ce ^O, are evaluated. Experimental studies of the Cu–Ce–O system have been performed. The morphological features, the size, and the composition of nonmetallic inclusions formed as a result of interaction in the Cu–Ce–O system are studied using scanning electron microscopy and electron-probe microanalysis.     

Commencement of Ordering in Al–0.69Mg–0.31Si Alloy

Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals - Early stages of ordering in dilute Al–0.69(at.%)Mg–0.31(at.%)Si alloy, aged at 373 K for 120 h and 7200 h and...     

Thermodynamic Activities of Components in Homogeneous Ni–Fe–S Mattes at 1473–1673 K

Abstract

The hypothesis, put forward by Morris^(l), that electronic conduction is responsible for the observed loss of current efficiency in electrolysis of cryolite-alumina melts is examined both theoretically and experimentally. It is concluded theoretically that in a commercial cell the loss of efficiency would equal the transport number of electrons in the metal-saturated solution, and in a laboratory apparatus with a rotating disk anode the plateau on the current-emf curve would have a slope. Experimentally, the latter is not found to be so. The diffusion coefficient of dissolved metal is 2.8 ± 0.6 × 10^?4cm²s^?1 (std. deviation) at 1000°C; with the Nernst-Einstein equation this corresponds to a transport number of electrons of 0.013, at least a factor of 20 too low to account for observed losses in current efficiency. Measurements of O₂ evolution at 980°C from a Pt anode inside an Al₂O₃ tube with a small hole cut in its side to communicate with the Al-containing cathode compartment gave 99.9 ± 1.5% efficiency (std. deviation). One concludes that the electronic conduction hypothesis is not tenable.

Résumé

On examine théoriquement et expérimentalement l'hypothèse proposée par Morris, selon laquelle la conduction électronique est responsable des pertes de rendement faradaïque observées dans l' électrolyse de mélanges fondus cryolithealumine. La conclusion théorique est que dans une cellule commerciale la perte de rendement serait égale au nombre de transport des électrons dans la solution saturée en métal. Au laboratoire une anode à disque tournant montrerait une pente du plateau de la courbe courant-fern, ce qui n'est pas observée expérimentalement. Le coefficient de diffusion du métal dissous est de 2.8 ± 0.6 × 10^?14 cm²sec^?1 (déviation standard) à 1000°C; avec l' équation de Nernst-Einstein ceci correspond à un nombre de transport des électrons de 0.013, vingt fois trop faible pour pouvoir expliquer les pertes de rendement faradaïque. Des mesures de dégagement d'O₂ à 980 °C sur une anode de platine (placée dans un tube d' Al₂O₃ dans la paroi duquel un petit trou est ouvert afin de permettre une communication avec le compartiment contenant la cathode d'aluminium) donne un rendement de 99.9 ± 1.5% (déviation standard). On conclut donc que l'hypothèse de la conduction électronique ne peut plus se défendre.     

Solid-State Reactions of SiC–TiO2–MgO System and Phase Relations in SiC–SiO2–TiC–TiO2–MgO System

Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics - Preliminary experiments revealed solid-state reactions in the SiC–TiO2–MgO system that resulted in forming TiC compound, providing, thus, a new...     

Age-Induced Precipitating and Strengthening Behaviors in a Cu–Ni–Al Alloy

Microstructural response and variations in strength and electrical conductivity of a Cu−20 at. pct Ni–6.7 at. pct Al alloy during isothermal aging at temperatures from 723 K to 1023 K (450 °C to 750 °C) were investigated to discuss the age-induced precipitation behavior and strengthening mechanism. At all aging temperatures, fine spherical γ′-Ni₃Al particles were found to nucleate coherently with parent Cu grains by continuous precipitation and then grew gradually by Ostwald ripening. Domains with a high density of twins developed at grain boundaries during aging below 873 K (600 °C) followed by cellular components composed of fiber-shaped γ′-Ni₃Al and Cu solid solution phases at the domain boundaries later. Both the domains and cellular components were suppressed at aging above 923 K (650 °C). The age-induced strengthening principally resulted from fine dispersion of γ′-Ni₃Al coherent particles in the grains. The precipitation strengthening by the fine γ′-Ni₃Al coherent particles exhibited a maximum at an aging temperature of 873 K (600 °C), resulting in excellent mechanical properties such as a high hardness of 340 ± 7 HV and an ultimate tensile strength of 980 ± 14 MPa, which are comparable to those of other commercial age-hardened Cu–Be, Cu–Ni–Si, and Cu–Ti alloys.

     

Research on Nitrogen Solubility of Fe–Cr–Mn–V–N System Alloys in Liquid and Solid Phases

In this paper, the thermodynamic model of nitrogen solubility in vanadium nitrogen microalloyed high strength weathering steels of Fe–Cr–Mn–V–N system, according to Hillert’s model for Gibbs energy of its various phases, was established and validated. In the model, the effect of the nitrogen partial pressure on the activity coefficient and the lattice structure characteristics of the vanadium nitrogen precipitated phase were considered. It would be of guiding significance for the design and smelting of Fe–Cr–Mn–V–N system alloys. Based on the established model, the nitrogen contents in \(\delta\), \(\gamma\), \(\alpha\) phase and liquid were calculated as a function of the temperature for Fe–Cr–Mn–V–N system alloys. The results show that: first, the maximum solubility of nitrogen in the solidification process is obviously affected by the phase transition when there is a sudden change in the solubility of nitrogen at the phase transition point. The maximum nitrogen solubility of the molten steel in the delta phase region determines whether nitrogen bubbles are formed during the solidification process. The nitrogen solubility is lowest in the solid–liquid region (about 1673 K). Secondly, the increase of Cr and Mn content is beneficial to improve nitrogen solubility in liquid and solid phases. However, the increase of V content mainly affects the nitrogen solubility in the solid phase because the nitrogen in this temperature range is precipitated in the form of vanadium nitride, as the second phase plays a role in strengthening. In addition, the alloying element Mn has a significant effect on nitrogen solubility since the Mn element is the promoting element of austenitic formation. During the solidification process, the delta ferrite region gradually reduces and may disappear with increasing Mn content. Therefore, increasing the Mn content of the alloy system in the design of alloy composition, can reduce the precipitation trend of the nitrogen during the solidification process, which can effectively avoid bubble formation in high nitrogen weathering steels. Lastly, with the increase in the nitrogen partial pressure, the solubility of nitrogen increases during the liquid and solid phases.     

Interdiffusion Study in the Fe–Nb System

The diffusion characteristics of the Fe–Nb system were investigated using the diffusion couple technique. The average interdiffusion coefficient was calculated for the Fe₂Nb Laves and the FeNb μ phases. The possible diffusion mechanism was predicted by using the calculated values of the activation energy for diffusion. Kirkendall marker experiments were conducted to determine the relative mobilities of the species. Fe was found to have a faster diffusion rate than Nb in both phases.     

The Structure and Phase Composition Acquired by Fe–Ti–Ni–C Alloys in Thermal Synthesis

Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics - The structure and phase composition of Fe–Ti–Ni–C alloys produced in situ by thermal synthesis at 1200°C using TiH2, Fe, graphite, and...     

Oxygen Solubility in Fe–Co Melts Containing Carbon

In thermodynamic analysis of solutions of oxygen in Fe–Co melts containing carbon, the equilibrium constants of reactions between carbon and oxygen are determined, as well as the activity coefficients at infinite dilution and the interaction parameters in melts of different composition at 1873 K. The dependence of oxygen solubility in such melts on the cobalt and carbon content is calculated. In iron–cobalt melts, carbon has high oxygen affinity. The deoxidizing ability of carbon increase significantly with increase in cobalt content in the melt. In pure cobalt, it is more than an order of magnitude greater than in pure iron. Deoxidation by carbon produces gaseous oxides: carbon monoxide (CO) and dioxide (CO₂). The reaction of carbon and oxygen dissolved in the melt and hence the deoxidizing ability of carbon depend on the total gas pressure above the melt. Decrease in gas pressure significantly improves the reducing properties of carbon. The minimum oxygen concentration for alloys of the same composition is reduced by practically an order of magnitude with tenfold decrease in the total gas pressure. The gas composition above Fe–Co melts and the equilibrium carbon and oxygen concentrations in the melt are calculated with total gas pressures of 1.0, 0.1, and 0.01 atm. The optimal oxygen concentration (1–10 ppm) in Fe–Co melts is reached at carbon concentrations between 0.01 and 1% depending on the total gas pressure (0.01–1 atm). The solubility of oxygen in iron–cobalt melts containing carbon passes through a minimum, which is shifted to lower carbon content with increase in the melt’s cobalt content. Further additions of carbon increase the oxygen concentrations in the melt. With increase in cobalt content, this increase will be sharper.     

Material expenditures in deep desulfurization of steel in the ladle–furnace unit

The desulfurization of steel in a 160-t casting ladle is investigated. On that basis, a technology for reducing the sulfur content of low-carbon and low-alloy pipe steel to 0.001–0.003% is developed. The material expenditures in deep desulfurization of steel in a 160-t ladle–furnace unit are assessed.     

Kinetics and mechanism of smelting reduction of fluxed chromite Part 1 Carbon–chromite–flux composite pellets in Fe–Cr–C–Si melts

Abstract

Experimental studies on the smelting reduction of fluxed carbon–chromite composite pellets in Fe–Cr–C–Si alloys were carried out at 1520–1600°C. The reduction reaction was found to be favoured by high temperatures, a high lime addition in the pellets, a long pellet dissolution time, and a moderate melt Cr content. For a given CaO addition, however, the reduction rate initially slowed before increasing with an increasing silica addition to the pellets. A three stage reduction mechanism is proposed. The first stage is very likely to be controlled by solid state and/or gas diffusion with an apparent activation energy of 472 kJ mol^-1 for pellets fluxed with 15%CaO and 25%SiO₂ . The third stage proceeds via smelting mechanisms, with mass transfer in the slag phase possibly rate controlling.     

Kinetic Transition During Ferrite Growth Induced by Interfacial Solute Segregation in an Fe–C–Mn–Si Alloy

The kinetic transition of partitionless proeutectoid ferrite transformation from austenite, experimentally reported earlier in an Fe–C–Mn–Si alloy, is simulated incorporating interfacial segregation of carbon and alloy elements. The time-dependent diffusion equations of solutes are solved within the α/γ interface to evaluate the transient effects of solute accumulation on the migration of interface. The carbon concentration at the interface in the matrix decreased faster and the interface migration ceased, or the so-called stasis occurred, when the carbon concentration gradient in the immediate front of the interface turned to null or reversed. This can happen earlier than the partitionless-to-partitioned growth transition predicted from conventional theory in the absence of interfacial segregation, depending upon austenite grain size, i.e., the extent of soft impingement of carbon diffusion fields in the matrix in which a large carbon supersaturation remained. The subsequent transformation may be resumed accompanying the bulk partitioning of Mn (and probably Si) and/or nucleation of new ferrite crystals.

     

Simulation of tuyere–raceway system in blast furnace

Abstract

A uniform distribution of the blast is an important prerequisite of a balanced blast furnace operation, because the blast is the main source of the hot gases that are needed to preheat, reduce and melt iron ores. The supply of hot gas from the raceways is not necessarily uniform along the furnace periphery, but depends on flow resistances encountered on the individual bustle main tuyere–raceway–raceway boundary routes. A model for this system has been developed in order to study and analyse the effects of changes in tuyere parameters and boundary conditions. Variables such as the total blast volume, blast pressure, tuyere diameter and the combustion degree of injected reductants in the tuyeres can be studied. An online version of the model has also been developed to track how the conditions on the tuyere level change with time in operating blast furnaces.     

High-temperature phase equilibria of Cu–O–Al2O3 system in air

Phase equilibria of Cu–O–Al₂O₃ system were experimentally investigated in a temperature range of 1100–1400°C under 0.21?atm oxygen pressure. The experiments were conducted employing a high-temperature equilibration and quenching method. Microstructures of the quenched samples were observed with scanning electron microscope. The phase compositions in the samples were analysed with electron probe microanalysis technique. Measured solubility of Al₂O₃ into the molten oxide ranged from 0.0 to 1.8?wt-%. A small solubility of Cu₂O into Al₂O₃ was also observed ranging from 1.20 to 1.58?wt-%.