A mathematical model for the dynamic desulfurization process of ultra-low-sulfur steel in the LF refining process

¹ State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
e-mail: ustbchenyanan@gmail.com
² School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
³ National Engineering Research Center of Flat Rolling Equipment, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, P.R. China

Received: 7 October 2013
Accepted: 27 January 2014

Abstract

In order to obtain the dynamic variation rule of the sulfur content of liquid steel in the LF refining process, a complete mathematical model including a desulfurization kinetic model and temperature model in the deep desulfurization process is presented, based on the practical production and reaction mechanism of ultra-low-sulfur steel in a LF. The results show that the calculated values of the sulfur content in liquid steel using the model fit the experimental values well, and the relative error is less than 8%. The effects of refining slag on the desulfurization process are analyzed in this paper, which shows that slag basicity is most important at the early and middle stages of the process, while slag weight is most important at the middle and late stages. The effect of the above factors on the final sulfur content of liquid steel is further analyzed quantitatively. The simulated results provide a theoretical basis to segment control the refining process in order to achieve the maximum effect, improving efficiency, saving energy and reducing consumption.