Technological Suitability of Semi-Coke as a Carbon Reducer in Production of Manganese and Silicon Alloys

• Published in: Steel in translation 2020, Vol.50 (7), p.445-451
• Main Authors: Shubina, A. A., Zhuravleva, N. V., Korotkov, S. G., Lazarevskii, P. P., Romanenko, Yu. E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coke; Coke fired furnaces; Dust; Energy consumption; Ferrosilicon; Indicators; Manganese; Materials Science; Reducing agents; Silicon base alloys; Synergistic effect
• ISSN: 0967-0912; 1935-0988
• DOI: 10.3103/S096709122007013X

The paper presents results of testing semi-coke as a carbon reducing agent in the production of manganese and silicon alloys. The fundamental possibility of using semi-coke in the carbon part of the charge as a basic reducing agent to produce ferrosilicon manganese is established. It is noted that a new reducing agent in its pure form works worse than in a mixture with coal. The greatest synergistic effect in the production of ferrosilicon manganese was achieved during the interaction of semi-coke with coal, while the following indicators were obtained: maximum furnace productivity of 43 t/day, maximum extraction coefficient of 87.9%, and minimum specific dust formation of 49 kg/t of alloy. In the production of ferrosilicon, the use of a new reducing agent did not give a significant positive effect, due to its low structural strength. It was revealed that the structure and type of the reducing agent affect the furnace performance: when using a reducing agent with a higher reactivity in the charge, it is possible to obtain higher furnace performance. In the production of ferrosilicon, a change in the specific dust generation is closely related to the level of daily production and specific energy consumption and can serve as an indicator of furnace operation. The furnace performance, ceteris paribus, is determined by the amount of useful power input. With an excess of carbon in the charge an increase in useful power leads to a slight increase in the furnace performance, but at the same time, the energy consumption and specific dust formation significantly increase. It is shown that the influence of technological factors on the technical and economic indicators of melting is determined by the degree of electrode seating in the furnace.