SLAG FOAMING IN SMELTING REDUCTION AND ITS CONTROL WITH CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS

In the smelting reduction process of the thick slag layer type, it is important to keep slag height stably without abnormal slag foaming. This study investigated the mechanism of slag foaming control with carbonaceous materials by experiments using a 1-ton smelting reduction furnace and by X-ray fluoroscopic observation of phenomena occurring in a small graphite crucible. As the carbonaceous material was not wettable with slag, small bubbles coalesced on its surface. Because the large bubbles due to the coalescence of small bubbles rise through the foaming slag layer at a relatively high speed, the foaming of slag may be restrained. It was found that the smaller the size of the carbonaceous material was, the more effective was the carbonaceous material in controlling the foaming of slag. A certain extent of relative motion between carbonaceous material and slag was necessary to promote the coalescence of small bubbles. It was experimentally confirmed that the smelting reduction in 100-ton scale furnace can stably operate under the condition that the carbonaceous material is present in a sufficient amount in the slag.