Carbon and oxygen behavior in the RH degasser with carbon powder addition

For ultra-low-carbon(ULC)steel production,the higher oxygen content before Ruhrstahl-Heraeus(RH)decarburization(de-C)treatment could shorten the de-C time in the RH degasser.However,this would lead to oxidation rates being exceeded by molten steel production,affecting ULC steel surface quality.In this work,a carbon powder addition(CPA)process was proposed to reduce the dissolved oxygen content at the end of RH de-C through addition of carbon powder to molten steel in the vacuum vessel.Carbon and oxygen behavior during the CPA and conventional process was then studied.The results demonstrated that the de-C rate with CPA was lower compared to the conventional process,but the carbon content at the end of de-C presented no difference.The de-C reaction for CPA process took place in the four reaction sites:(1)within the bulk steel where the spontaneous CO bubbles form;(2)splashing area on the liquid steel surface;(3)Ar bubble surface;(4)molten steel surface.The CPA process could significantly reduce the dissolved oxygen content at the end of de-C,the sum content of FeO and MnO in the slag,the aluminum consumption,and the defect rate of rolled products.This was beneficial in improving ULC steel cleanliness.

Development and Application of Chrome-free Refractory Materials for RH Degasser

The research progress and industrial application of chrome-free refractories for RH degasser were introduced in the paper.It is proved that unburned magnesia-spinel refractories used for RH throat and snorkel in Baosteel have longer service life compared with traditional direct bonded fused magnesia-chrome materials.The new developed chrome-free unburned magnesia-spinel composite can fully meet the present demand for RH operation and can be applied extensively for RH processing.At present,instead of chrome-containing materials,chrome-free refractories have been applied widely for RH in Baosteel.Super low carbon MgO-C material with high mechanical properties at mild and high temperatures can be an alternative chrome-free material for RH.

Nitrogen Injection in Molten Aluminum in a Tank Degasser

The injection of nitrogen in molten aluminum through a static impeller in a tank degassing unit is studied. Using basic principles of fluid mechanics, it is analyzed the influence of the nozzle diameter on the bubble diameter and the mean residence time of the bubbles in the molten aluminum. By means of transient isothermal 2D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, the influence of the nitrogen volumetric flow rate on the phase distributions and the tank degasser dynamics is studied. Finally, an adiabatic CFD simulation is carried out in order to elucidate the changes in the molten aluminum temperature due to the injection of nitrogen at ambient temperature. This simulation shows that molten aluminum does not suffer drastic temperature reductions given that, in spite?that?the nitrogen is fed at ambient temperature, the mass of nitrogen is relatively small compared with the mass of aluminum.

Prediction of liquid circulation flow rate in RH degasser:improvement of decarburization at low atmospheric pressure

The two-fluid model coupled with population balance model was used for simulating the gas-liquid flow in the Ruhrstahl-Heraeus(RH)degasser.The predicted circulation flow rate was compared with that measured from a water model experiment to validate the mathematical model.Then,influence of snorkel immersion depth on liquid circulation flow rate was numerically investigated under an atmospheric pressure of 101 and 84 kPa,respectively.Predicted result indicates that the circulation flow rate of the RH degasser in the high-altitude area was severely reduced because of the decrease in atmospheric pressure.However,increasing the snorkel immersion depth from 0.5 to 0.7 m can compensate for the decrease in atmospheric pressure.Industrial test result indicates that decarburization rate is significantly enhanced by increasing the snorkel immersion depth.Through optimization,the percentage of heats with a final carbon content less than 0.002 wt.%is significantly increased from 22.0%to 96.4%.

Powder transport behavior in RH degasser with powder injection through up snorkel: a transient numerical model

A transient numerical model was established to predict the dispersion,distribution,and circulation behavior of the powder injected through the up snorkel in a Ruhrstahl–Heraeus(RH)degasser.The effects of the powder diameter,the lifting gas flow rate,and the powder injection rate on the powder transport were investigated.Local powder concentration was measured by a cold model.The results showed that the predicted powder concentration agreed well with the measured.The powder injection process is divided into three periods,named dispersion period,aggregation and circulation period,and dynamically stable period according to the powder transport behavior.The powder diameter has a great effect on the particle dispersion.When the particles size changes from 30 to 500μm,the powder dispersion characteristic index changes from 0.110 to 0.741,and the ladle top zone powder mass ratio changes from 0.118 to 0.685.The powder circulation mass flow rate increases to 101.0 kg min^(-1)(150μm)and then decreases to 46.6 kg min^(-1)(500μm).Powders with a diameter of more than 220μm can change the steel flow mode in the RH degasser.Increasing the lifting gas flow could slightly improve the powder dispersion.Variation in the powder injection rate has almost no effect on the powder dispersion.

Modelling Effect of Circulation Flow Rate on Inclusion Removal in RH Degasser

Based on the similarity principles, a 1 ： 7 scale physical model was established to study the behavior of molten steel flow and inclusion removal in a 145 t Rheinsahl-Heraeus （RH） degasser. On the basis of the quantitative measurements of the circulation flow rate and inclusion removal under various lifting gas flow rates, the effect of circulation flow rate on inclusion removal was investigated in the RH degasser. The inclusion removal rate shows the trend of first increase and then decrease twice with increasing the circulation flow rate when the circulation flow rates are smaller than 104.7 L/min. Whereas, the inclusion removal rate increases again with the further increase in circu- lation flow rate when the circulation flow rate is larger than 104.7 L/min. At lower circulation flow rates, inclusions are mainly removed by Stokes flotation to the slag/steel interface after inclusions are transferred near the slag/steel interface by the circulation flow. At higher circulation flow rates, the collision and aggregation of inclusions improves the inclusion removal efficiency. With the further increase in the circulation flow rate, inclusions are mainly removed by following the turbulent fluctuation （turbulent diffusion） to the slag/steel interface after inclusions are transferred near the slag/steel interface by the circulation flow.

Flow Structure in RH Vacuum Degasser Using Rotating Electromagnetic Field

An innovative steelmaking process is suggested using an electromagnetic driven swirling flow in the up-leg of an RH vacuum degasser.A physical and a mathematical model based on 300t RH vacuum degasser are developed to understand the effect of rotating electromagnetic field on the circulation flow rate and the two phases flow behavior of RH system.Both water model experiments and numerical simulation show the flow pattern and distribution of gas bubbles. The gas bubbles move towards the centre of up-leg under the effect of rotating electromagnetic field,and the accumulation of gas bubbles depends on the magnetic intensity.An optimization value of magnetic intensity was suggested in this paper.

Cretaceous Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) Affect Sedimentary Processing: Jordan, Arabian Plate;NW Germany, Central Europe

Both the NE Gondwana Platform (Jordan) and the Carpathian/NW Europe Seaway towards the N Atlantic expose comparable sequence analytical patterns as i.e. the Maximum Flooding Surface (MSF), relating to the Arabian Shelf, throughout one of the warmest Phanerozoic Epochs. Supervolcanic Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs), (explosive island arc andesitic volcanism), Mid-Oceanic Rift Basalts (MORB), (S/N Atlantic, Arctic) and kimberlitic volcanism (W Gondwana) provided striking conditions for an immense influence (tuff, degassing, T) on the sedimentary processing throughout the Cretaceous, mainly verified by K-montmorillonite , dozens of tuff beds (predominantly in NW Germany), zeolite, cristobalite, extremely high chert occurrences as well as the reconfirming of the global anoxic event around the Cenomanian/Turonian b. (94 Ma) by a positive ∂13C-maximum (~0.5%). Thus the lithofacies spectrum (carbonate rocks, chalk, chert, porcellanite, shale) was affected by pH, Eh, T, photosynthesis, and greenhouse gases—change during varying positive/negative climate forcing. While acid sturzrain events caused the transformation of arkosic/subarkosic sediments of the hinterlands to quartz arenite cycles deposited on the Jordanian Platform during early Cretaceous, the other patterns mentioned, led to a rapid change of lithofacies through Late Cretaceous. The southward directed Neotethys transgression can be reconstructed during the Early Cretaceous by glauconite-aged tidalites that give hint on transpressional tectonics during the Upper Cenomanian east of the Dead Sea. The Cretaceous/Paleogene (K-Pg) transitional zone evidences a zone of several cumulative events (island arc-volcanism) and the Chicxulub impact, indicated by at least two extinctions phases. The southward obduction of the Palmyrides, Syria and related transtensional/transpressional strike slip tectonics (partially pull-apart structures) left a fast facies change on the Jordanian Platform.

Thermal Evolution of Al-containing Magnesia Refractories for RH Snorkels

Resin-bonded, Al-containing magnesia refractories have been an alternative of rebonded fused-grains magchrome bricks to be used as inner lining in the snorkels and lower vessel of RH degassers, having the advantages of being chrome-free and energy-saving(without burning), with a comparable performance. Microstructural investigations indicate that metal Al powder remains independent in the matrix after heating at 700 ℃ and 900 ℃, and Al_4C_3, Al_2OC and Al_4O_4C crystalline whiskers start forming from 1 100 ℃. The whiskers grow and connect into a network matrix with increasing temperatures,remaining up to 1 600 ℃. Comparison of used bricks from different snorkels indicates a strong whisker networks formation in the brick achieving long service life and superior performance, which is attributed to flexible network structure of stable and interwoven whiskers. On contrary, there is a strongly-oxidized layer on the hot face and almost no whisker found anywhere in the brick with the short service life. It is vital to form the bonding phase of whiskers at high temperatures,generating overall properties of high hot strength, high erosion resistance and thermal shock resistance, which are essential in the working conditions of RH snorkels.

钢液VD真空处理脱氮数学模型

根据钢液VD真空处理过程氮溶解热力学和脱氮动力学理论,建立了高碳钢VD真空处理过程脱氮的数学模型。采用该模型结合VD处理过程的工艺条件,可实现钢液VD真空处理过程脱氮预测。

Effect of ultrasonic field treatment on degassing of 2024 alloy

The 2024 aluminum alloy was prepared with different ultrasonic processes.Effects of ultrasonic treatment parameters including ultrasonic power,treatment time,treatment temperature,and frequency resonance,as well as C_(2)Cl_(6) degasser on degassing of the 2024 aluminum alloy were investigated.Results indicate that increasing ultrasonic power at the same ultrasonic treatment time can improve the degassing effect.The optimum degassing efficiency can be obtained under the resonant ultrasound condition.With the combination of 1%C_(2)Cl_(6) addition and 150 W ultrasonic treatment for 40 s,the hydrogen content of the alloy is decreased by 52.9%.At the same time,the tensile strength and elongation are increased by 28.3%and 92.3%,respectively,and the yield strength is slightly increased by 6.7%.The degassing mechanism is also discussed.

Slag Corrosion Resistance of MgO-ZrO_2 Refractories

Slag corrosion resistance of MgO -ZrO2 refractories was inrestigated ill this work. The resuhs indicate that in a non-oriented electric steel slag systenl with a high ratio of ealci^t to silica, the slag resistance of MgO - ZrO, refractories can be described as flllows ： ZrO2 reacts with GtO .forming calcium zireonate compound which strengthens the material and blocks the channel of the slag infihration ; however, in an oriented electric steel slag system with a high concentration of silica and the low ratio of calcia to silica, the slag corrosion resistance ofM gO-ZrO： refractories is different ; ZrO2 reaets with CaO forming the ealcium zirconate and simultaneously one more product C2S as well; C2S cam improve corro- sion resistance by blinding pore and enhancing slag viscosity; therefore, it is expected to be the major reason for the enham＇ed corrosion resistance observed for MgO-ZrO2 refractories.

Development of RH refining technology at Baosteel

With the strong demand for the development of automobile sheets, tin plates, household appliances, silicon steel, pipeline steel and other products as well as for the quality improvement of steel products, remarkable progress has been made in RH refining technology and equipment design since Baosteel began production more than 20 years ago. The vacuum degassing ratio of Baosteel has jumped from 35% in the initial stage when Baosteel began production, to the current ratio of approximately 60%, and will soon reach 75% in the near future. The independent innovations in RH refming technology in Baosteel, such as RH equipment optimization, vacuum decarburization, inclusion control, deoxidation, desulfurization, rhythm adjustment between primary steelmaking and continuous casting, the high efficiency of the RH refining process, and other aspects of RH technology, have all effectively met the requirements of developing new steel products, quality improvement and logistical control. Complete sets of RH equipment and refining technology have been successfully exported to the domestic steel plants. In the future, Baosteel will make further efforts to improve efficiency, stabilize production and quality, and realize special line production, so that the RH degasser will play a greater role in Baosteel.

Application and study in aluminum melt degassing technologies

The classification, characteristics and current situation of aluminum melt hydrogen-removal methods and technologies have been summarized. The latest studies and research results of aluminum melt degassing technology have been summed up. The tendency and prospect of aluminum degassing technology was discussed.

Degassing of primordial hydrogen and helium as the major energy source for internal terrestrial processes

Examples of the mightiest energy releases by great earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and hypotheses providing explanations for them are analyzed along with the results of some recently pub- lished researches and visualizations. The emerging conclusions are that the mechanism of the strong earthquake is a chemical explosion; that volcanic eruption is a special type of earthquake wherein the hypocenter rises to the earth-surface; and that there is an association between the seismic-volcanic processes and mantle ＂fluids＂ and the lack of energy for mantle plumes. A conceptual system of hypoth- eses is put forward to explain the conservation of energy during Earth＇s accretion, its quasi-stable release by primordial H- and He-degassing and of the crucial role of the energy of degassing-eomprising- reactions in endogenic processes. Specific mechanisms and chemical processes are proposed for the gas-liquid mantle plumes melting through the solid mantle using heat-energy released in reactions of their metamorphic and chemical transformation under gradual decrease of pressure and temperature; volcanic gases are put forward as energy carriers. 3He performance as a unique measuring transformer correlative to the internal heat flow was used for calculation of energy release by degassing; it equals to 5.12 × 1020 J/yr, an amount of energy five-fold greater than the entire energy loss involved in earthquake and volcanic activity. The hypotheses proposed are objectively testable.

Effect of ultrasonic melt treatment on degassing of Mg-6Zn-1Ca alloy

The effect of ultrasonic power and treatment time on degassing of Mg-6Zn-1Ca alloy was studied in this paper. The degassing effect was characterized by measuring densities of ingots. The results show that proper ultrasonic treatment can remove hydrogen from the melt of the Mg-6Zn-1Ca alloy. The ultrasonic degassing effect is closely related to the ultrasonic power density and treatment time. The degassing efficiency increases with an increase in ultrasonic power density when the melt is treated at 690 °C for 120 s, reaching its highest value at 1.2 W·cm-3. When the power density is 1.2 W·cm-3, with an increase in ultrasonic treatment time, the degassing efficiency increases at first, reaches its peak value at 120 s, then decreases as the ultrasonic treatment is further prolonged. In this experiment, the optimum degassing effect with an efficiency of 67.5 % is obtained by ultrasonic treatment with the power density of 1.2 W·cm-3 for 120 s. The maximum density of ingot can be increased from 1.8069 g·cm-3 to 1.8146 g·cm-3(increased by 0.43%).

Mantle-derived CO_(2) in Hot Springs of the Rehai Geothermal Field,Tengchong,China

Gas concentrations and isotopic compositions of He and CO2 were determined on free gas samples from ten hot springs of the Rehai geothermal field, Tengchong, China. The results showed that hot-spring CO2 gas, together with He, was derived mainly from the mantle, indicating the accumulation of mantle-derived volatiles beneath the survey area. The δ 13C values of CO2, higher than those of the typical mantle-derived carbon and the isotopic composition of hot-spring-free CO2 in unequilibrium with dissolved CO2, are recognized only in the Rehai geothermal field, suggesting that there seems to be a still-degassing magmatic intrusion at depths, which provides mantle-derived volatiles to the hydrothermal system above. The accumulation of those volatiles has probably played an important role in triggering earthquakes in this region. In addition, the isotopic characteristics of He and C also indicate that the magmatic intrusion seems to have been derived from the MORB source, and could be contaminated by crustal materials during its upwelling through the continental crust.

Study on Desorbing Sulfur Dioxide from Citrate Solution by Ultrasonlficatlon

Using a sonochemical reactor designed by the authors,the process of removing sulfur dioxide from cit- rate solution simulating the flue gas desulfurization was studied.The influence of ultrasonic frequency,ultrasonic power,reaction temperature,stirring speed,inert gases,initial concentration of sulfur dioxide and concentration of citrate on the efficiency of sulfur dioxide desorption,the stability of citrate solution and the concentration of sulfate radical was examined systematically.By comparing the desorption of sulfur dioxide with and without ultrasonifica- tion,it was concluded that(1)lower ultrasonic frequency results in a better degassing efficiency;(2)the use of ul- trasonification in desorbing sulfur dioxide from citrate solution improves the desorbing efficiency in some condi- tions,without changing the essence of chemical reactions;(3)sparging inert gas into the liquid can lower the vis- cosity of solution and the cavitating threshold,and raise the desorption efficiency.These results demonstrate a technical way for deep desorption of sulfur dioxide and provide the fundamental data for future industrial disposal of sulfur dioxide.

Decarburization rate of RH refining for ultra low carbon steel

The decarburization behaviors of ultra low carbon steel in a 210-t RH vacuum degasser were investigated under practical operat- ing conditions. According to the apparent decarburization rate constant （Kc） calculated by the carbon content in the samples taken from the hot melt in a ladle at an interval of 1-2 min, it is observed that the total decarburization reaction period in RH can be divided into the quick decarburization period and the stagnant decarburization period, which is quite different from the traditional one with three stages. In this study, the average apparent decarburization rate constant during the quick decarburization period is 0.306 min^-1, and that of the stagnant period is 0.072 min^-1. Increasing the initial carbon content and enhancing the exhausting capacity can increase the apparent decarburization rate constant in the quick decarburization period. The decarburization reaction comes into the stagnant decarburization period when the carbon content in molten steel is less than 14× 10^-6 after 10 min of decarburization.

Degassing effect of ultrasonic vibration in molten melt and semi-solid slurry of Al-Si alloys

In the process of semi-solid slurry preparation with direct ultrasonic vibration (UV) by dipping the horn into the melt, one of the questions is whether the gas content in the melt would be increased or not by the cavitation effect of ultrasonic vibration. By application of quantitative gas content measurement technique, this paper investigated the effect of the ultrasonic vibration on the gas content of both the melt and the semi-solid slurry of Al-Si alloys, and the variations of the gas contents in two kinds of aluminum alloys, i.e., A356 alloy and Al-20Si-2Cu-1Ni-0.6RE alloy (Al-20Si for short). The results show that ultrasonic vibration has an obvious degassing effect on the molten melt, especially on the semi-solid slurry of Al-Si alloy which is below the liquidus temperature by less than 20 ℃. The ultrasonic degassing efficiency of the A356 alloy decreases with the reduction of the initial gas content in the melt, and it is nearly unchanged for the Al-20Si alloy. The gas content of both alloys decreases when the ultrasonic vibration time is increased. The best vibration time for Al-20Si alloy at the liquid temperature of 710 ℃ and semi-solid temperature of 680 ℃ is 60 s and 90 s, respectively; and the degassing efficiency is 48% and 35%, respectively. The mechanism of ultrasonic degassing effect is discussed.