Effects of MnO on the smelting process of vanadium titanomagnetite pre-reduced pellets in an electric furnace

Abstract

MnO is proven as an effective fluxing additive for high-temperature pyrometallurgy processes. The effects of MnO on the electric furnace smelting of vanadium titanomagnetite pre-reduced pellets were systematically studied in this study. The results indicated that MnO addition could reduce the titanium slag viscosity. The activities of titania and silica in the slag decreased with the increasing MnO content. The external views of slag-iron separation showed that the addition of MnO was beneficial for the separation of iron from the slag. The EPMA results indicated that the reduction degree of vanadium oxides was improved with the MnO additions of 1 wt% and 2 wt%, but mitigated with the further increase of MnO. Moreover, the reduction of titanium oxides was suppressed with the increasing MnO content. Finally, it was concluded that the suitable addition of MnO was 2 wt% under the present smelting conditions.