Characteristics of Metal Droplets in Slag Tapped from the Blast Furnace

Abstract

Slag samples, hot‐metal samples and hot‐metal temperatures were obtained during tapping of two blast furnaces. Sampling was carried out at different time points during tapping of three separate heats. The size distribution and composition of metal droplets found in the slag were determined using scanning electron microscopy. Only metal droplets above 0.75 μm could be counted and analysed. All droplets were below 8 μm in diameter and the great majority of these droplets were found to be between 0.75 and 2 μm. The size distribution did not differ significantly for different slag samples. Iron was the main droplet component. Electron probe microanalysis showed that the droplets contained small amounts of carbon. The percentage of the area in a studied cross‐section that was covered with metal droplets varied between 0.01 and 0.07%. Calculations based on Stoke's law showed that the distance droplets travel in the slag is in the micron range. Slag samples taken in the beginning of slag tapping contained more droplets than those taken in the middle of slag tapping, an indication that most droplets can be found in the area near the furnace wall. Some droplets were determined to have magnesium enrichment at the external surface.