Application of submerged gas-powder injection technology to steelmaking and ladle refining processes

Powder injection metallurgy can effectively improve the reaction efficiency, ameliorate the properties, and reduce the production cost of steel. This paper reviews recent innovations in submerged gas-powder injection technologies in the converter steelmaking, electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, and ladle refining processes. Using bottom-blowing O-2-lime powder converter steelmaking, the average weight of slag per ton of steel decreased by 11.2 kg and the average content of smelting end-point [P] decreased by 0.005% compared with conventional converter steelmaking because of the improved reaction efficiency. In side-blowing O-2 + CO2-lime/carbon powder EAF steelmaking, O-2 + CO2-carbon powder injection reduced the electrical energy consumption by 60 kWh/t, and the phosphorus content and losses of FeO and T.Fe were reduced by 0.0054%, 8.3%, and 5.7%, respectively. In the bottom-blowing Ar-lime powder refining ladle process, the desulfurization rates reached 69.33% and 68.97%-77.42% in laboratory experiments and industrial tests, respectively, by injecting lime powder. Based on the characteristics of metallurgy processes, by combining the endothermic and stirring-enhancing features of CO2 gas, a new recycling process for CO2 in steel enterprises is proposed and analyzed to extend the application of submerged gas-powder injection metallurgy. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

Powder injection metallurgy has shown significant improvements in converter steelmaking, electric arc furnace steelmaking, and ladle refining processes, leading to enhanced reaction efficiency, reduced production costs, and improved steel properties.