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Process metallurgical evaluation and application of very fine bubbling technology
Author(s) -
Catana Cosmin,
Gotsis Vassilios S.,
Dourdounis Efthimios,
Angelopoulos George N.,
Papamantellos Demetrios C.,
Mavrommatis Konstantinos
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
steel research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1869-344X
pISSN - 0177-4832
DOI - 10.1002/srin.200200021
Subject(s) - metallurgy , process (computing) , process engineering , manufacturing engineering , engineering , materials science , mechanical engineering , computer science , operating system
The potential of VFB( v ery f ine b ubbling)‐technology in steelmaking, developed for the production of super clean steels, was investigated. Recent R&D work has proven that with very fine argon bubbling through a developed special porous plug (SPP) at low flow rates, the total oxygen content of low carbon steel grades can be lowered to a level of 6 ppm under industrial vacuum conditions [1; 2] and to a level of 10 ppm under argon protective atmosphere [2]. The perspective of industrial application of the VFB technology to a 56‐t ladle furnace of Helliniki Halyvourgia S.A., Greece, in order to improve steel cleanliness, requires additional R&D efforts. It is important to define the limits of VFB technology in respect of alloys dissolution, mixing time and homogenisation of steel and slag/metal reactions. In this work, a gas driven bubble aqueous reactor model simulating the bottom gas stirred ladle by means of gas injection through a SPP and a conventional porous plug was studied. Various operating conditions as well as different positions for the porous plug with and without a top oil layer were simulated. Tests concerning mixing time, solid‐liquid mass transfer and critical gas flow rate, liquid/liquid mass transfer, using the SPP and a conventional porous plug have been performed. The evaluation of experimental results delivered important information for the design and operation of steel ladles, applying VFB‐technology. Experimental results with SPP bubbles’ agitated steel (1600 °C) in laboratory and technical scale experiments in IF and VIF are presented and discussed.