Effect of Basicity and MgO/Al2O3 Ratio on Viscosity and Crystallization Behavior of HIsmelt Titanium‐Containing Slag

Abstract

Numerous challenges persist in the smelting of vanadium–titanium magnetite using the blast furnace process. These challenges can be overcome by adopting the HIsmelt process, without the need for additional ore or enhanced slag operations. In this study, the effects of basicity and the MgO/Al2O3 ratio on slag viscosity and crystallization behavior are investigated through thermodynamic calculations and experiments. In the results, a decrease in slag viscosity with an increase in basicity and MgO/Al2O3 ratio is demonstrated. Notably, MgO/Al2O3 ratios have a minor impact on the viscosity and break temperature of the slag. With a TiO2 content of 40 wt% in the slag, perovskite phases are identified as the main equilibrium solid precipitates during the crystallization process under various basicity and MgO/Al2O3 ratios. As the slag temperature decreases further, the liquid phase content in the slag progressively decreases, reaching complete crystallization at 1159.0 °C. For industrial production, it is advisable to maintain the binary basicity of the slag within the range of 1.0–1.1, with the MgO/Al2O3 ratio around 0.6. Herein, the research findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the viscosity and crystallization behavior of HIsmelt titanium‐containing slag.