Basic Physical–Chemical Processes in Liquid Bath: Process Mechanisms

Abstract

Today’s general ideas of processes in the bath required when evaluating of innovations.

Hydrodynamics of oxygen blowing as a factor, which defines the running of processes. Oxygen jets as practically the only source of oxygen under current conditions. Reaction zones. Mechanisms of oxygen spreading from the reaction zones throughout the volume of the bath

Two-stage scheme of carbon oxidation to CO in the bath: at first, oxidation of iron; then, oxidation of carbon by the ferrous oxides spreading throughout the bath.

Three stages of melting scrap lumps in the melt: freezing of the melt; diffusive melting due to enriching the surface layer of scrap lumps with carbon; and intensive melting at the bath temperature significantly exceeding the scrap melting point. In modern EAFs the two first stages are slightly expressed. To shorten the melting duration it is necessary to intensify the heating of the bath.

Both non-uniformity of distribution over the surface of the bath and extremely high density of heat flux from the arcs. The key role of the stirring intensiveness in processes of uniform bath heating, its decarburization, and melting of scrap lumps submerged into liquid metal.