1.

Slag Metal Reaction

2. Modified Converter
Steelmaking
 Si oxidation
[Si] + 2[O] = (SiO2)

=
Reduction in temperature enhances
KSi
=

= -11.4, = -11.25

S. C. Koria, Module 1: Steelmaking Fundamentals, Lecture 6: Steel Making Reactions: Oxidation of Iron and
Silicon, NPTEL.
Si oxidation
Low Si in liquid steel

1. Reduced temperature.

2. Low activity of SiO2 in slag.

3. Basic slag.

4. Input Si in liquid metal in basic steelmaking process should be low to

minimize lime consumption.
 Mn oxidation
[Mn] + [O] = (MnO) Oxygen dissolved in liquid steel
[Mn] + (FeO) = (MnO) + Fe Slag/metal reaction

=,

= Reduction in temperature enhances

KMn

= = -3.17,

S. C. Koria, Module 1: Steelmaking Fundamentals, Lecture 7: Oxidation of Manganese and Carbon, NPTEL
Mn oxidation
Low Mn in liquid steel

1. Reduced temperature.

2. High FeO activity in slag (oxidizing slag).

3. Low Mn content in the charge.

4. Partly or complete removal of slag

5. Semibasic slag (CaO/SiO2) < 2.2

S Removal
Boiling point of Sulphur : 444.6 °C, Intense interaction with Iron

[FeS] + (CaO) = (CaS) + (FeO)

Reduction of Sulphur in ladle or torpedo car after
tapping from blast furnace.
K=
1. Lime
2. Mg +Lime
= K. 3. Calcium Carbide (CaC2)

Problems with temperature drop of hot metal

is the desulphurization index and increased cost.
S Removal
Condition of S removal

1. High basicity of slag

2. Low FeO content in slag

3. Low dissolved oxygen in metal.

4. High temperature

5. Mixing of slag metal : bath agitation

LDAC PROCESS/OLP PROCESS
• Design for treating high Phosphorous liquid iron (P> 0.40%).

• Commercial production at ARBED-dulange works in Luxembourg.(LDAC:

Linz-Donawitz-Arbed-Center). IRSID (France) : OLP Process

• Oxygen Lime process (Firstly 1/3rd of lime is

injected in solid chunk and rest in fine powder form
(1-2 mm).

• Height to bath diameter 1.3-1.5.

• Bath volume is 20% extra as compared to LD to accommodate extra slag

formation.

• Two tap hole in diametrically opposite positions.

LDAC PROCESS/OLP PROCESS

Lime Intermediate slag removal is required to prevent

increased slag volume in the process.
Oxygen

The tap to Tap time is 55-60 min.

The nitrogen content is 0.001 to 0.002% with 99.5%

Oxygen.
LDAC PROCESS/OLP PROCESS
(1) Increased reaction rate of lime by virtue of the very large
surface area as compared with lump lime;

(2) Direct introduction of lime into the reaction zone;

(3) Increased momentum of the jet at the bath surface;

(4) The powdered lime provides nucleation centers for continuous

carbon monoxide degassing of the bath;

(5) Assists in foam generation; and

(6) Allows continuous control of slag chemistry more particularly

slag basicity.

Jones et al. AUGUST 1963, JOURNAL OF METALS

LDAC PROCESS/OLP PROCESS
• Add scrap +1/3rd of lime+ liquid metal and blowing
1 commences
• After 5 min of blow add rest lime in powder form (1-2
2 mm)
• After 15 min, blowing stops till the C is 1.5-1.7% and P
3 is 0.2%.

• First basic oxidizing slag is removed.

4

• Blowing starts again with fresh addition of lime for 5-7

min to achieving desired P level. If ultra low P is needed
5
then 2-3 slag practice has to be adopted.

6 • Final C could be 0.08% and P: 0.02%

 Slag in LDAC process
Slag types %CaO %P2O5 %SiO2 %Fe
Intermediate Slag 45-50 18-20 5-8 10-11
Final Slag 50 2-4 10 20-25

• In both intermediate and final slag MnO and MgO content is few %.

• The intermediate slag can be used as fertilizer

• The final slag is basic and oxidizing and therefore used in the next heat in the converter .
Catch Carbon Technique
• High Carbon steel : Rail steel (0.65-0.74% C, 0.6-1.0%Mn, 0.27-0.30% Si),
Ball bearing steel (1.0% C, 1.2%Cr) are produced by Catch Carbon
technique in LD converter.
• Carbon can be controlled in these steel by :
(a) producing low carbon steel and recarburize the bath : Easy process
(b) Catch carbon method (controlled) : Low P and controlled Carbon
content : Final Slag high in FeO content.

• Enhanced dephosphorization prior to decarburization.

 • Conventional oxygen blowing (0.7%C)
• Deslagging of high P liquid metal
1
• Oxidizing slag (basic, FeO rich slag, fluid)
• High lance distance from metal bath
• Low oxygen flow
2

• Slag Neutralizing
• Low distance of lance from metal bath
• Enhanced Oxygen flow
3 •
•
Enhanced lime addition
Regulated slag metal reaction

• Control of carbon content after

4 sample analysis from stage 3

Trentini, B., Vayssiere, P. & Roederer, C. Technology and Metallurgy of the Olp Process. JOM 14, 579–583 (1962)
KALDO PROCESS
ROTOR PROCESS