Kinetic Model of Decarburization and Denitrogenation in Vacuum Oxygen Decarburization Process for Ferritic Stainless Steel

The characteristics and classification of decarburization and denitrogenation in the vacuum vessel for stainless steel production are analyzed. Based on the analysis of movements of the liquid steel and bubbles, the kinetics of decarburization and denitrogenation in the vacuum oxygen decarburization (VOD) process has been studied. A kinetic model of decarburization and denitrogenation has been developed to simulate the VOD process, considering each reaction zone as oxygen blowing crater, bottom blowing plume, steel/slag interface, and plume eye. As a result, it is possible to quantify the contribution of each reaction zone in decarburization and denitrogenation rate at a different stage in the VOD process. Specific trials at a vacuum induction furnace were performed to refine stainless steel in vacuum carbon deoxidation (VCD) and VOD style, respectively. The trial results are in good agreement with the model calculation. Combining the trials and the model calculation and the influence of temperature control, critical carbon content selection on the terminal total [C] + [N] content can be discussed further to provide a reasonable proposal for high-quality ferritic stainless steel production.