Process to reduce steel furnace slag carry-over during tapping
A process for tapping a steel furnace with a reduced amount of entrained slag is disclosed. During tapping, particles of a slag foaming agent are added. The foaming agent may include calcium carbide and/or other chemicals. The agent foams the slag to decrease its density during tapping and/or to disrupt initial vortex formation at the tap.
1. A process for reducing the mass of slag from exiting a taphole in a steel making furnace, comprising the acts of:
Charging a steel making furnace;
Heating the contents of said furnace to form molten steel and slag on top of said steel;
Tapping said steel through a taphole to drain said molten steel from said furnace;
During said act of tapping, adding a foaming agent in the form of multiple particles into said slag in the furnace to form gaseous slag foam, wherein said particles are smaller than said taphole, wherein said foaming agent foams said slag providing for a reduction in the slag mass exiting through said taphole;
wherein said foaming agent is added prior to vortex formation and wherein gas bubbles formed by said agent disrupts vortex formation at said taphole.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein said foaming agent comprises an exothermic, slag conditioner that substantially does not alloy with steel.
3. The process of claim 2 wherein said foaming agent includes a steel desulfurizing agent.
4. The process of claim 3 wherein said foaming agent includes calcium carbide.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein at least some of said foaming agent particles are added near said taphole.
6. The process of claim 5 wherein at least some of said foaming agent particles are added after initial vortex formation.
7. The process of claim 6 wherein said particulate is added after at least half of the molten steel is tapped from said furnace, and wherein said foaming agent is added to provide a sustained foaming action in the slag during tapping to substantially reduce the density of slag near said taphole.
8. The process of claim 7 wherein said particulate has a density that is greater than the foamed slag and is less than the steel in the furnace.
9. The process of claim 8 wherein a foaming assistor is added with said foaming agents to enhance the ability of the slag to foam.
10. The process of claim 8 wherein a foaming assistor is added with said foaming agents to enhance the ability of the slag to foam.
11. The process of claim 1 wherein said foaming agent includes a steel desulfurizing agent.
12. The process of claim 1 wherein said foaming agent includes calcium carbide.
13. The process of claim 1 wherein at least some of said foaming agent particles are added near said taphole.
14. The process of claim 1 wherein at least some of said foaming agent particles are added after initial vortex formation.
15. The process of claim 1 wherein said particulate is added after at least half of the molten steel is tapped from said furnace, and wherein said foaming agent is added to provide a sustained foaming action in the slag during tapping to substantially reduce the density of slag near said taphole.
16. The process of claim 1 wherein said particulate has a density that is greater than the foamed slag and is less than the steel in the furnace.
17. The process of claim 2 wherein said foaming agent is added prior to vortex formation and wherein gas bubbles formed by said agent disrupts vortex formation at said taphole.
18. The process of claim 2 wherein said particulate is added after at least half of the molten steel is tapped from said furnace, and wherein said foaming agent is added to provide a sustained foaming action in the slag during tapping to substantially reduce the density of slag near said taphole.
19. The process of claim 12 wherein said particulate is added after at least half of the molten steel is tapped from said furnace, and wherein said foaming agent is added to provide a sustained foaming action in the slag during tapping to substantially reduce the density of slag near said taphole.
20. The process of claim 12 wherein said foaming agent is added prior to vortex formation and wherein said slag foam formed by said agent disrupts vortex formation at said taphole.
21. A process for reducing the mass of slag from exiting a taphole in a steel making furnace, comprising the acts of:
Charging a steel making furnace;
Heating the contents of said furnace to form molten steel and slag on top of said steel;
Tapping said steel through a taphole to drain said molten steel from said furnace;
During said act of tapping, adding calcium carbide into said slag in the furnace to form gaseous slag foam, wherein said calcium carbide foams said slag providing for a reduction in the slag mass exiting said taphole;
wherein said calcium carbide is added prior to vortex formation and wherein gas bubbles formed by said agent disrupts vortex formation at said taphole.
22. The process of claim 21 wherein said calcium carbide is added after at least half of the molten; steel is tapped from said furnace.
23. The process of claim 21 wherein said calcium carbide provides a sustained foaming action in the slag during tapping to substantially reduce the density of slag near said taphole.
24. The process of claim 21 wherein said calcium carbide provides a sustained foaming action in the slag during tapping to substantially reduce the density of slag near the taphole.
25. The process of claim 22 wherein at least some of said foaming agent particles are added after initial vortex formation.
26. The process of claim 23 wherein at least some of said foaming agent particles are added after initial vortex formation.
27. The process of claim 21 wherein a foaming assistor is added with said calcium carbide to enhance the ability of the slag to foam.