Abstract
In ferrochrome (FeCr) production, the tap-hole refractory represents the highest wear area. Preliminary desktop FactSage modelling work conducted by Steenkamp (J South Afr Inst Min Metall 119(8):537–544, 2019) indicated that both alloy and slag had the potential to chemically wear the carbon-based tap-hole refractory material. The current study sought to build on the modelling work, by performing laboratory-scale experiments aimed at validating the modelling outcomes. Experimental work was conducted using a cup test approach, in an induction furnace, at 1450–1650 °C for the alloy-refractory, and 1550–1700 °C for the slag-refractory. Experimental results confirmed the potential for both FeCr alloy and slag to chemically wear the refractory. Tapping temperature was also found to have a marked effect on the extent of the wear.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Gasik M (2013) Handbook of ferroalloys: theory and technology. Elsevier, Amsterdam
Coetzee C et al (2010) No taphole—no furnace. Paper presented at the refractory 2010 conference, Muldersdrift, Johannesburg, 16–17 March 2010
O’Shaughnessy P et al (2014) Tap-hole repair: the UCAR®V repair solution. Paper presented at the furnace tapping 2014, Muldersdrift, Johannesburg, 27–29 May 2014
Steenkamp JD (2019) Wear analysis of tap-holes at two ferrochromium production furnaces. J South Afr Inst Min Metall 119(8):537–544
Deo B (2017) Wear and dissolution of MgO–C refractory lining in belly and top cone regions of BOF vessel. Trans Indian Inst Metals 70(8):1965–1971. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12666-016-1018-1
Nolet I (2016) Tapping of PGM-Ni Mattes: an industry survey. J South Afr Inst Min Metall 116(1):11–16. https://doi.org/10.17159/2411-9717/2016/v116n1a2
George-Kennedy D et al (2005) Flash converting after 10 years. Paper presented at the 11th international flash smelting congress, Bulgaria/Spain, October 2005
Steenkamp JD (2014) Chemical wear of carbon-based refractory materials in a silicomanganese furnace tap-hole. PhD thesis, University of Pretoria
Thethwayo BM (2019) Interaction of carbon based refractories with liquid PGM-furnace melt. PhD thesis, University of Pretoria
Schacht C (2004) Refractories handbook. CRC Press, Boca Raton
Steenkamp JD, Pistorius PC, Tangstad M (2015) Wear mechanisms of carbon-based refractory materials in SiMn tap-holes—Part II: in situ observation of chemical reactions. Metall Mater Trans B 46(2):668–679. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-014-0276-8
Acknowledgements
The work is presented with permission from Mintek.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society
About this paper
Cite this paper
Sitefane, M.B., Steenkamp, J.D. (2022). The Evaluation of Chemical Wear of Carbon-Based Tap-Hole Refractories in Ferrochrome Production. In: Steenkamp, J.D., Gregurek, D., Reynolds, Q.G., Alvear Flores, G., Joubert, H., Mackey, P.J. (eds) Furnace Tapping 2022. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92544-4_22
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92544-4_22
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-92543-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-92544-4
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)