Abstract
The SisAl process encompasses the production of silicon (Si) alloys by reducing silica in slags aluminothermically, using secondary aluminum (Al) raw materials as reductants. Along with the Si alloy, a CaO–Al2O3–(low)SiO2 slag is produced. Alumina-rich slag can be a source for production of High-Purity Alumina (HPA) and Metallurgical Grade Alumina (MGA) or as slag addition for refining of steel. The current research aims to explain key aspects of aluminothermic reduction using Al dross, to facilitate upscaling of the process and combining optimal Si- and Al2O3-yield. Three size fractions of Al dross or Al-heel with secondary alumina recycled from dross were reacted with a CaO–SiO2 slag at 1650–1750 °C in two separate induction furnaces with different size and atmosphere. The products' weights and compositions were determined to calculate the Si yield in the aluminothermic reduction process and back calculate the Al content in dross fractions. The present work shows that dross as reductant in the SisAl process led to varying Si alloys, CaO–Al2O3–(low)SiO2 slags and Si yields, enabling a circular economy perspective for these secondary streams.
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The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement N° 869268.
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Philipson, H., Solbakk, G.L., Wallin, M., Einarsrud, K.E., Tranell, G. (2022). Innovative Utilization of Aluminum-Based Secondary Materials for Production of Metallurgical Silicon and Alumina-Rich Slag. In: Eskin, D. (eds) Light Metals 2022. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92529-1_135
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92529-1_135
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