Desulfurization puck
A method and composition for removing sulfur from molten ferrous material, particularly molten iron. The desulfurization agent includes one or more pucks or briquettes of deoxidizing and/or desulfurization agent. The pucks or briquettes of deoxidizing and/or desulfurization agent include at least one deoxidizing metal and at least one ferrous metal.
1. A method for removing oxygen, sulfur, or mixtures thereof from molten iron comprising:
(a) obtaining reclaimed ferrous scrap metal coated with oil,
wherein said ferrous metal includes carbon steel, stainless steel, or mixtures thereof;
(b) obtaining reclaimed deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal coated with oil,
wherein said deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal is magnesium metal, plus at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, and zirconium, and
wherein said magnesium metal is at least 5 weight percent of said deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal;
(c) combining and pressing said reclaimed ferrous scrap metal coated with oil and said reclaimed deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal coated with oil to form a plurality of pucks or plurality of briquettes,
wherein the pressing removes at least some of the oil coating on the ferrous scrap metal and deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal,
wherein the plurality of pucks or plurality of briquettes is characterized as follows:
average density of about 6.9-7.8 g/cm 3 ,
average weight of at least about 2 lbs.,
said ferrous scrap metal is over 80 weight percent of each puck or briquette,
said deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal is at least about 2 weight percent of said puck or briquette, wherein a weight ratio of said ferrous scrap metal to said deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal is about 6-20:1, and
said oil is 0.01 to about 5 weight percent of each puck or briquette;
(b) placing said plurality of pucks or briquettes into an iron trough or ladle;
(c) pouring molten iron into said iron trough or ladle after said plurality of pucks or briquettes were placed into an iron trough or ladle, such that said plurality of pucks or briquettes do not float to the surface of said molten iron after said molten iron is poured into said iron trough or ladle,
wherein the oil of said plurality of pucks or briquettes volatilizes on contact with the molten iron, and produces a gas that enhances the reaction between the deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal and the sulfur in the molten iron by at least partially mixing the deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal throughout the molten iron.
2. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including delaying said step of pouring molten iron into said iron trough or ladle after said bag with said plurality of pucks or briquettes are inserted into said iron trough or ladle by at least 0.1 minutes, so a) said bag burns prior to said molten iron being added to said iron trough or ladle and b) said oil in said plurality of pucks or briquettes burns or vaporizes prior to said molten iron being added to iron trough or ladle, or combinations thereof.
3. The method as defined in claim 1 , further including the step of adding additional desulfurization agents to said molten iron after said molten iron is added to said iron trough or ladle and after desulfurization by said plurality of pucks or briquettes is complete or substantially complete.
4. The method as defined in claim 2 , further including the step of adding additional desulfurization agents to said molten iron after said molten iron is added to said iron trough or ladle and after desulfurization by said plurality of pucks or briquettes is complete or substantially complete.
5. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein magnesium metal constituting over 50 weight percent of said deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal.
6. The method as defined in claim 4 , wherein magnesium metal constituting over 50 weight percent of said deoxidizing/desulfurizing scrap metal.
7. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pucks or briquettes includes a calcium compound in an amount of from about 0.5 to 10 weight percent.
8. The method as defined in claim 6 , wherein said plurality of pucks or briquettes includes a calcium compound in an amount of from about 0.5 to 10 weight percent.
9. The method as defined in claim 7 , wherein said calcium compound in said plurality of pucks or briquettes has an average particle size of 18-100 US Mesh.
10. The method as defined in claim 8 , wherein said calcium compound in said plurality of pucks or briquettes has an average particle size of 18-100 US Mesh.
11. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pucks or briquettes include by weight percent of said puck or briquette:
Mg Metal plus Al Metal:
5-15
wt %
(20-90% Mg Metal)
Carbon steel and/or stainless steel
85-95
wt %
Water and/or oil
0.1-5
wt %
Calcium Compound
up to 20
wt %
Average Density
6.95-7.65
g/cm 3 .
12. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein said plurality of pucks or briquettes include by weight percent of said puck or briquette:
Mg Metal plus Al Metal:
5-15
wt %
(20-90% Mg Metal)
Carbon steel and/or stainless steel
85-95
wt %
Water and/or oil
0.1-5
wt %
Calcium Compound
up to 20
wt %
Average Density
6.95-7.65
g/cm 3 .
13. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pucks or briquettes include by weight percent of said puck or briquette:
Mg Metal and Ti Metal:
5-25
wt %
(20-95% Mg Metal)
Carbon steel and/or stainless steel
85-95
wt %
Water and/or oil
0.1-5
wt %
Calcium Compound
up to 20
wt %
Average Density
6.95-7.75
g/cm 3 .
14. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein said plurality of pucks or briquettes include by weight percent of said puck or briquette:
Mg Metal and Ti Metal:
5-25
wt %
(20-95% Mg Metal)
Carbon steel and/or stainless steel
85-95
wt %
Water and/or oil
0.1-5
wt %
Calcium Compound
up to 20
wt %
Average Density
6.95-7.75
g/cm 3 .
15. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said plurality of pucks or briquettes include by weight percent of said puck or briquette:
Mg Metal and Zr Metal:
5-35
wt %
(20-90% Mg)
Carbon steel and/or stainless steel
65-95
wt %
Water and/or oil
0.1-5
wt %
Calcium Compound
up to 20
wt %
Average Density
6.95-7.85
g/cm 3 .
16. The method as defined in claim 10 , wherein said plurality of pucks or briquettes include by weight percent of said puck or briquette:
Mg Metal and Zr Metal:
5-35
wt %
(20-90% Mg)
Carbon steel and/or stainless steel
65-95
wt %
Water and/or oil
0.1-5
wt %
Calcium Compound
up to 20
wt %
Average Density
6.95-7.85
g/cm 3 .