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Effect of MgO on Vacuum Carbothermal Reduction Mechanism of Ca3(PO4)2 in SiO2–C–Ca3(PO4)2–MgO-Based System

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Abstract

Phosphate rocks mainly contain Ca3(PO4)2, SiO2, and MgO. The vacuum carbothermal reduction of Ca3(PO4)2 with different MgO contents was investigated to determine the maximum volatilization rate of P2 and the transformation of phases in a SiO2–C–Ca3(PO4)2–MgO-based system. The application of reduced slag in the dephosphorization of a converter was discussed. The carbon excess coefficient (CEC), reduction temperature, and equilibrium phase were calculated using FactSage 8.1. The quinoline phosphomolybdate weight method, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize the volatilization rate of P2, phases, and micromorphology of the reduced slag. The volatilization rate of P2 first increased and then decreased, with the highest volatilization rate of 93.77% obtained at n(MgO/CaO) = 0.50. The reduced slag phase changed from CaSiO3 to 2CaO·SiO2·MgO·SiO2, CaO·SiO2·MgO·SiO2, and 3CaO·P2O5·2CaO·SiO2 solid solutions with increasing MgO content. The diffusion of graphite was hindered by an excessive MgO solid phase when n(MgO/CaO) > 0.50, resulting in the reaction of unreacted Ca3(PO4)2 with 2CaO·SiO2·MgO·SiO2 to form 2CaO·SiO2·3CaO·P2O5 (C2S–C3P2) during the holding process, thus reducing the reduction rate of Ca3(PO4)2. Reduced slag with a small amount of phosphorus can be used in converter smelting to achieve low-temperature dephosphorization.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are especially grateful for financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52064010), Outstanding Young Scientists and Technologists Program of Guizhou Province, China (Grant No. [2021]5644), the Key Nurturing Projects of Guizhou University (Grant No. [2019]07), and the Natural Science Research Project of Guizhou Provincial Department of Education ([2022]041).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Miao Li, Renlin Zhu, Run Huang, Xianfen Li, Xiaodong Lv, Jing Yang, Xue Deng & Xianze Long

  2. Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Metallurgical Engineering and Energy Process Saving, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Miao Li, Renlin Zhu, Run Huang, Xianfen Li, Xiaodong Lv, Jing Yang, Xue Deng & Xianze Long

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Correspondence to Run Huang.

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Li, M., Zhu, R., Huang, R. et al. Effect of MgO on Vacuum Carbothermal Reduction Mechanism of Ca3(PO4)2 in SiO2–C–Ca3(PO4)2–MgO-Based System. J. Sustain. Metall. 9, 1429–1443 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-023-00735-9

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