Operation-test of a 2 ton ladle Refining Apparatus

Abstract

A new 2 ton ladle refining apparatus with heating and stirring-function by a unique method was constructed. This ladle refining apparatus was cooperated with a 2 ton arc furnace (maximum tapping weight 2.8 tons).Features of this apparatus are as follows:(1) In an airtight vessel, molten steel in an 18-8 stainless steel-ladle is heated by means of DC two electrodes. and simultaneously stirred by electro-magnetic force.(2) This apparatus permits deoxidation, desulphurization by slag-metal reaction, control of chemical composition and control of pouring temperature of molten steel in a ladle.(3) And, molten steel is cast directly into moulds, through a sliding nozzle.(4) Thus, the ladle serves as the tapping ladle, refining ladle and teeming ladle.After the apparatus was ready to operation, test operations of about 100 heats containing low alloy steel, tool alloy steel, 13 Cr stainless steel, 18-8 stainless steel etc, was investigated, and the following results were obtained:(1) It was very eassy to reduce some part of oxidizing period and full time of reducing period of the arc furnace steel making process by tapping the melt to the ladle immediately after oxygen blow. Thus, the utilization of an arc furnace could be substantially increased.(2) By this ladle refining process, better quality of steel was obtained compared with that of normal arc furnace steel making process under atomsphere.