Thermodynamic Modeling to Improve Foamy Slag Practice in the EAF

摘要

In order to improve operational efficiency, reduce production costs, and decrease carbon dioxide emissions, V & M Star embarked on a major energy optimization project for its electric arc furnace at the Youngstown, Ohio plant. All aspects of the operation of the furnace were carefully evaluated for opportunities to reduce the energy consumed for each ton of steel produced. One of the areas targeted for improvement was the foamy slag practice. Thermodynamic simulation of the slag evolution was identified as an ideal tool for optimizing slag chemistries and furnace practices for robust slag foaming. As part of the project, an industrial trial of varying carbon injection rates was performed which can be compared with the simulations. This paper provides an overview of the use of computational thermodynamic tools and identifies operational improvements that can result from the use of this tool.