Corrosion Mechanism of Alumina-magnesia Dry Materials for Smelting Manganese/chromium Steel in Coreless Medium Frequency Induction Furnaces

Alumina-magnesia dry materials are widely used in induction furnace linings, but they show different kinds of damage when melting different kinds of alloy steel. In this paper, the chemical composition, phase composition, and microstructure of the post-use dry materials for the working liners melting different kinds of steel were evaluated. Furthermore, the corrosion mechanism of the steel on the furnace lining materials was comprehensively analyzed. The findings reveal a significant ability of the Mn element in the molten steel to diffuse and penetrate into the refractories. Mn oxidizes to form MnO at the steel-refractory interface, and then forms a liquid phase with Al_(2)O_(3). The Cr element is dissolved into corundum and spinel of the refractories, resulting in lattice defects and structural damage of the materials. TiO2reacts with Al_(2)O_(3) to form Al_(2)TiO_(5), which plays a crucial role in preventing crack formation and propagation. Part of Ti4+dissolves into magnesia-alumina(MA), densifying the materials. TiO2also slows down the reaction between the Cr element and refractory components, further improving the corrosion resistance of the materials.

Numerical analysis on Joule heating of double-loop channel induction furnaces

In order to investigate Joule heating power,a three-dimensional finite element model(FEM) was developed to predict Joule heating power in the channels of double-loop inductor. The simulated results were compared with experimental data from low load trials for a 400 kW inductor. The results,such as power factor and Joule heating power,show reasonable correlation with experimental data,and Joule heating rate reaches the maximum at the corners and the minimum at the centre of the cross-section area. With increasing relative permeability of iron core,length of coils,current frequency and resistivity of metal melt,the power factor and Joule heating power change. It is concluded that current frequency,the resistivity and length of the coil play a critical role in determining the power factor and Joule heating power,whereas relative permeability of the magnetic core shows no significant influence on them.

Influences of Binders on Properties of Highalumina Repairing Mix for Medium-frequency Induction Furnace

Three kinds of high-alumina repairing mixes for medium-frequency induction furnace were prepared by ramming method with sodium silicate, phosphoric acid and aluminium dihydrogen phosphate as binder, respectively. Physical properties of the specimens heat treated at different temperatures were tested and compared. The results show that the specimen bonded by sodium silicate behaves much higher strength after fired at 1 600 ℃ compared with the specimen, bonded by phosphoric acid or aluminium dihydrogen phosphate. Due to more liquid phase formation the properties of specimen bonded by sodium silicate are poor with a low strength and a large volume shrinkage at high temperatures. Meanwhile. the speeimen bonded by phosphoric acid and aluminium dihydrogen phosphate, respectively, show relatively high strengths and slight volume expansions at high temperatures because of in-situ mullite formation.

Improvement of the Structure and the Electromagnetic Characteristics of an Induction Ladle Furnace

Based on a numerical analysis of the alternating electromagnetic field in the process of Steel refining with an induction ladle furnace (ILF), the optimization of the structure of ILF and the electromagnetic field for melting is realized in the present work. The optimization of the ILF by outward extension of inner yokes can decrease the magnitic flux leakage obviously, reduce the eddy current energy loss dramatically and then, decrease the total power consumption.

Melting Time Prediction Model for Induction Furnace Melting Using Specific Thermal Consumption from Material Charge Approach

A system-level evaluation was used to analyze the induction furnace operation and process system in this study. This paper presents an investigation into the relationship between the instantaneous chemical composition of a molten bath and its energy consumption in steelmaking. This was evaluated using numerical modelling to solve for the estimated melting time prediction for the induction furnace operation. This work provides an insight into the lowering of energy consumption and estimated production time in steelmaking using material charge balancing approach. Enthalpy computation was implemented to develop an energy consumption model for the molten metal using a specific charge composition approach. Computational simulation program engine (CastMELT) was also developed in Java programming language with a MySQL database server for seamless specific charge composition analysis and testing. The model performance was established using real-time production data from a cast iron-based foundry with a 1 and 2-ton induction furnace capacity and a medium carbon-based foundry with a 10- and 15-ton induction furnace capacity. Using parameter fitting techniques on the measured operational data of the induction furnaces at different periods of melting, the results from the model predictions and real-time melting showed good correlation between 81% - 95%. A further analysis that compared the relationship between the mass composition of a current molten bath and melting, time showed that energy consumption can be reduced with effective material balancing and controlled charge. Melting time was obtained as a function of the elemental charge composition of the molten bath in relation to the overall scrap material charge. This validates the approach taken by this research using material charge and thermodynamic of melting to optimize and better control melting operation in foundry and reduce traditional waste during iron and steel making.

Simulation and Techno-Economic Performance of a Novel Charge Calculation and Melt Optimization Planning Model for Steel Making

Process algorithm, numerical model and techno-economic assessment of charge calculation and furnace bath optimization for target alloy for induction furnace-based steelmaking is presented in this study. The developed algorithm combines the make-to-order (MTO) and charge optimization planning (COP) of the steel melting shop in the production of target steel composition. Using a system-level approach, the unit operations involved in the melting process were analyzed with the purpose of initial charge calculation, prevailing alloy charge prediction and optimizing the sequence of melt chemistry modification. The model performance was established using real-time production data from a cast iron-based foundry with a 1- and 2-ton induction furnace capacity and a medium carbon-based foundry with a 10- and 15-ton induction furnace capacity. A simulation engine (CastMELT) was developed in Java IDE with a MySQL database for continuous interaction with changing process parameters to run the model for validation. The comparison between the model prediction and production results was analyzed for charge prediction, melt modification and ferroalloy optimization and possible cost savings. The model performance for elemental charge prediction and calculation purpose with respect to the charge input (at overall scrap meltdown) gave R-squared, Standard Error, Pearson correlation and Significance value of (0.934, 0.06, 0.97, 0.0003) for Carbon prediction, (0.962, 0.06, 0.98, 0.00009) for Silicon prediction, (0.999, 0.048, 0.999, 9E -11) for Manganese Prediction, and (0.997, 0.076, 0.999, 6E -7) for Chromium prediction respectively. Correlation analysis for melt modification (after charging of ferroalloy) using the model for after-alloying spark analysis compared with the target chemistry is at 99.82%. The results validate the suitability of the developed model as a functional system of induction furnace melting for combined charge calculation and melt optimization Techno-economic evaluation results showed that 0.98% - 0.25% ferroalloy saving per ton of melt is possible using the model. This brings about an annual production cost savings of 100,000 $/y in foundry A (medium carbon steel) and 20,000 $/y in foundry B (cast iron) on the use of different ferroalloy materials.

Physical Chemistry Basis of AODIF Process

The technology of AODIF (Argon-Oxygen Decarburization Induction Furnace) for small scale smeltingof special steels is introduced. The technology gives such refining capabilities as deep decarburization to commonnon-vacuum induction furnaces with effective control of temperature and chemical reactions respectively. After thedisscussion of the phiscal chemistry basis involing decarburizaton,oxygen supply and heating features of AODIF,ithas been found that altra-low carbon steels can be produced with precise control of smelting point by the reasonable and flexiable AODIF process, which permits both gas and solid oxygen supply.

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties According to Nb Content of High Strength Steel Manufactured in VIM

As the aircraft and aerospace industry and the automobile industry are developed, the demand of reliable materials with high strength and high toughness is steadily increased. The grain miniature method which improves the ductility and the toughness simultaneously under high strength is the miniature of the casting microstructure. In this paper, the Nb which affects the austenite grain miniature is added by 0.00%, 0.03% and 0.06% in this steel and the ingot is manufactured in a vacuum induction melting furnace （VIM）. The casting microstructure and the mechanical property of the maraging steel according to Nb contents are analyzed by conducting the solution annealing and the age hardening after hot rolling. In this result, a specimen containing 0.03% Nb is most miniature. When it does the long time age hardening, the precipitation estimated as the carbide is appeared. The mechanical properties are excellent if a specimen containing 0.06% Nb does the age hardening during 8 h in 482℃.

Influence of α-Al_2O_3 Micropowder Addition on Properties of Corundum Dry Ramming Mix

In order to improve the service life of corundum lin- ing.for induction Jitrnace, corundum dry ramming mix was prepared using brown corundum, fu.sed magnesia, and α-Al2O3 micropowder as main starting materials, mul the it!fluence of α-Al2O3 micropowder additions （0, 1% , 2%, and 3%, in mass） on properties of corundum dry ramming re.ix was investigated. The results show that after heat treating at 1 600 ~C , with the in-crease of α-Al2O3 addition, the permanent change in di- mensions on heating of the specimens decreases firstly and then increases, bulk density increases, apparent po- rosity decreases, and the crushing strength declines first- Iv and then enhances; when the addition of α-Al2O3 is 2 mass% , the termanent change in dimensions on heating of the specimens i.s relatively small and the crushing .strength decrease.s to 22.8 MPa. The XRD attd SEM reults show that after .firing at 1 600 for 3 h sin, all granular magnesium aluminate spinel form. and is welldistributed, which enhances the density.

Numerical Simulation of Electromagnetic Field and Temperature Field in Medium-Frequency Induction Furnace Melting Process

A mathematical model for describing the melting process in the medium-frequency induction furnace was developed.Finite difference method was applied to deal with coupling electromagnetic field and temperature field in the melting process.The magnetic induction,temperature distribution and the phase interface moving characteristic during melting of the furnace burden were calculated.The effects of the direct current and inductive heating frequency on the process were analyzed.The simulation results show that:In the direction of burden radius,magnetic induction decreases from the outside of the burden to the center.Solid/liquid interface moves gradually from the outside of the burden to the center.The movement speed increases when the burden begins to melt.In the direction of the burden height,the distribution of eddy current in the surface is accord with the edge effect of the coil.Solid/liquid interface moves gradually from the center to the two sides.The direct current has a greater effect on the electromagnetic field and temperature field than frequency.

Numerical Analysis and Experimental Verification of the Behaviour of Solid Inclusions in Induction Crucible Furnaces

The paper refers to the dynamics of solid inclusion in the turbulent flow of liquid metal in induction furnaces. The numerical analysis is carried out adopting LES-based Euler-Lagrange approach in the limit of dilute conditions.The admixing of carbon particles in induction crucible furnace from the open surface of a melt is simulated.The behaviour of the particles in the bulk of the flow is illustrated as well as compared with the industrial observation of the open surface of the alloy.The paper also contains the description of the novel experimental technique,which is proposed for the verification of the numerical model.The experiment deals with ferromagnetic particles in the flow of Wood's metal in the small induction crucible furnace.This experiment confirms the satisfactory agreement with the numerical results.

Boron Removal From Metallurgical Grade Silicon by Molten Slag Refining in Induction Furnace

The impurities Al,Ca,Ti,B,P etc in metallurgical grade silicon(MG-Si)can be effectively removed by refining using molten slag based CaO-SiO_2,and it is especially effective for boron removal.The experiments of boron removal were studied using CaO-SiO_2 binary slag in induction furnace.The results showed that the distribution coefficient of boron(L_B)between slag and silicon increased with more proportion of CaO/SiO_2(mass%).It was advantaged to boron removal for higher basicity of slag,so the boron in MG-Si was reduced from 18ppmw to 1.4ppmw with the addition of Li_2O and K_2O to CaO-SiO_2 slag.The proportion of SiO_2 in slag affected the oxidizing capacity of slag,which reduced the efficiency of boron removal.