Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “SLAG”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17

Numerical Investigation of Desulfurization Kinetics in Gas-Stirred Ladles by a Quick Modeling Analysis Approach

A quick modeling analysis approach for predicting the slag-steel reaction and desulfurization kinetics in argon gas-stirred ladles has been developed in this study. The model consists of two uncoupled components: (i) a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for predicting the fluid flow and the characteristics of slag-steel interface, and (ii) a multicomponent reaction kinetics model for calculating the desulfurization evolution. The steel-slag interfacial area and mass transfer coefficients predicted by the CFD simulation are used as the processing data for the reaction model. Since the desulfurization predictions are uncoupled from the CFD simulation, the computational time of this uncoupled predictive approach is decreased by at least 100 times for each case study when compared with the CFD-reaction kinetics fully coupled model. The uncoupled modeling approach was validated by comparing the evolution of steel and slag compositions with the experimentally measured data during ladle metallurgical furnace (LMF) processing at Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa, Inc. Then, the validated approach was applied to investigate the effects of the initial steel and slag compositions, as well as different types of additions during the refining process on the desulfurization efficiency. The results revealed that the sulfur distribution ratio and the desulfurization reaction can be promoted by making Al and CaO additions during the refining process. It was also shown that by increasing the initial Al content in liquid steel, both Al oxidation and desulfurization rates rapidly increase. In addition, it was found that the variation of the initial Si content in steel has no significant influence on the desulfurization rate. Lastly, if the initial CaO content in slag is increased or the initial Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} content is decreased in the fluid-slag compositional range, the desulfurization rate can be improved significantly during the LMF process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Iodine speciation in cementitious environments

Iodine-129 is a key risk driver in most low-level waste cementitious waste repositories. Objectives of this study were to determine iodine speciation in cementitious materials with slag (Grout +slag ) and without slag (Grout –slag ) and its impact on iodine immobilization. Irrespective of which iodine species was amended to the aqueous phase, there were no significant differences in uptake-K d values (~3 L/kg). However, when the various iodine species were hydrated with the grout, the release-K d values (6.1–121.8 L/kg) were significantly greater than the uptake-K d values, and the amended iodine speciation (I – << org-I ≤ IO 3 – ) and grout formulation (Grout –slag < Grout +slag ) had a significant impact on release-Kd values. In grout samples amended with I – and IO 3 – , org-I was formed and comprised a majority of the iodine in the leachate after 28 days of equilibration. The formed org-I originated from organic carbon (C) in the grout material (~1200 mg/kg C). For the first time, these studies demonstrate that multiple iodine species can co-exist simultaneously in grout porewater, the iodine species initially added to the grout can greatly affect iodine immobilization, and the addition of slag to the grout formulation increased iodine immobilization. Furthermore, these results may have important implications on radioiodine waste disposal.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Silver-iodine secondary waste stabilization: multi-scale evaluation

Iodine-129 is a key risk driver in most low-level waste cementitious waste repositories. The objectives of this study were to determine iodine speciation in cementitious materials with slag (Grout+slag) and without slag (Grout–slag) and its impact on iodine immobilization. Additional studies were conducted to determine if grout was compatibility as a waste form for the most common adsorbent used to remove aqueous and gaseous radioiodine, silver-impregnated granular activated carbon (Ag-GAC). Rankings of iodine species by their tendency to bind to grout were: iodide << organo-iodine ≤ iodate. Similarly, ranking of grout formulations by their tendency to immobilize iodine were: Grout +slag < Grout -slag . Organo-iodine comprised >40% of the leachate solution from grout samples initially hydrated (cured) with iodide. The origin of the organic ligand comprising the organo-iodine was organic carbon in the grout material (~1200 mg/kg). Iodine in the solid phase, as determined by K-edge X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Spectroscopy, and aqueous phases were not in equilibrium and essentially no iodine speciation transformations occurred within the grout after one month of curing, irrespective of which iodine species was initially added to the mix. For the first time, these studies demonstrate that multiple iodine species can co-exist simultaneously in grout porewater, the iodine species initially added to the grout can greatly affect immobilization, and that Ag-GAC can be safely disposed in grout formulation, but not in the presence of slag. These results help explain previous data and reduce uncertainty associated with the disposal of nuclear waste.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Three-Dimensional Mathematical Model of Oxygen Transport Behavior in Electroslag Remelting Process

A transient three-dimensional model has been proposed to investigate the oxygen transport behavior in electroslag remelting process. The electromagnetism, heat transfer, multiphase flow, and species transport were calculated simultaneously by finite volume method. The volume of fluid approach was adopted to trace the metal–slag–air three-phase flow. Based on the necessary thermodynamics of oxygen transport behavior, a kinetic model was established to predict the mass source terms in species transport equation. The kinetic correction factor was proposed to account for the effect of the oxide scale formed on the electrode on the FeO content in slag. Finally, the effect of applied current on the oxygen transfer was studied. The predicted result agrees well with the measured data when the kinetic correction factor is set to be 0.5. The temperature distribution that affects the thermodynamics differs at the interfaces. The oxygen in air is absorbed into slag due to the oxidation at the slag/air interface. The Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} in slag and the oxide scale contribute to the increase of FeO content in slag, and the latter one plays the leading role. The oxygen transfer from slag to metal mainly occurs during the formation of the droplet at the slag/metal droplet interface. With the current increasing from 1200 to 1800 A, the oxygen content increases from 76.4 to 89.8 ppm, and then slightly declines to 89.2 ppm when the current increases to 2100 A.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Development of a Reliable Kinetic Model for Ladle Refining

Kinetic modeling of ladle refining can be used by steel plants to improve steelmaking and to produce cleaner steels. It can also help researchers to understand the process better. There have been several recent attempts to develop a kinetic model that can predict changes in steel, slag, and inclusion compositions with time. Often the models require parameters that can be difficult to measure under plant conditions, and model limitations have not been discussed in detail. In this study, a two-parameter kinetic model has been developed to predict changes in steel, slag, and inclusion compositions during ladle refining; the two parameters are the mass-transfer coefficient in steel and the inclusion flotation rate constant. The model was based on FactSage macro-processing. Examples of results show that the model can be used to diagnose effects of steel and slag sampling practices and to estimate alloy dissolution time. The model results demonstrate that the presence of solids in slag can significantly reduce the rate of steel–slag reaction while maintaining a high inclusion flotation rate. Some limitations of the model are discussed: the overprediction of calcium transfer to alumina inclusions and the absence of information on inclusions originating from entrained slag.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Intrinsic differences in atomic ordering of calcium (alumino)silicate hydrates in conventional and alkali-activated cements

The atomic structures of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H) and calcium (–sodium) aluminosilicate hydrate (C–(N)–A–S–H) gels, and their presence in conventional and blended cement systems, have been the topic of significant debate over recent decades. Previous investigations have revealed that synthetic C–S–H gel is nanocrystalline and due to the chemical similarities between ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-based systems and low-CO{sub 2} alkali-activated slags, researchers have inferred that the atomic ordering in alkali-activated slag is the same as in OPC–slag cements. Here, X-ray total scattering is used to determine the local bonding environment and nanostructure of C(–A)–S–H gels present in hydrated tricalcium silicate (C{sub 3}S), blended C{sub 3}S–slag and alkali-activated slag, revealing the large intrinsic differences in the extent of nanoscale ordering between C–S–H derived from C{sub 3}S and alkali-activated slag systems, which may have a significant influence on thermodynamic stability, and material properties at higher length scales, including long term durability of alkali-activated cements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Development of a sintering process for recycling oil shale fly ash and municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash into glass ceramic composite

Highlights: • Glass ceramic composite is prepared from oil shale fly ash and MSWI bottom ash. • A novel method for the production of glass ceramic composite is presented. • It provides simple route and lower energy consumption in terms of recycling waste. • The vitrified slag can promote the sintering densification process of glass ceramic. • The performances of products decrease with the increase of oil shale fly ash content. - Abstract: Oil shale fly ash and municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash are industrial and municipal by-products that require further treatment before disposal to avoid polluting the environment. In the study, they were mixed and vitrified into the slag by the melt-quench process. The obtained vitrified slag was then mixed with various percentages of oil shale fly ash and converted into glass ceramic composites by the subsequent sintering process. Differential thermal analysis was used to study the thermal characteristics and determine the sintering temperatures. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to analyze the crystalline phase compositions. Sintering shrinkage, weight loss on ignition, density and compressive strength were tested to determine the optimum preparation condition and study the co-sintering mechanism of vitrified amorphous slag and oil shale fly ash. The results showed the product performances increased with the increase of sintering temperatures and the proportion of vitrified slag to oil shale fly ash. Glass ceramic composite (vitrified slag content of 80%, oil shale fly ash content of 20%, sintering temperature of 1000 °C and sintering time of 2 h) showed the properties of density of 1.92 ± 0.05 g/cm{sup 3}, weight loss on ignition of 6.14 ± 0.18%, sintering shrinkage of 22.06 ± 0.6% and compressive strength of 67 ± 14 MPa. The results indicated that it was a comparable waste-based material compared to previous researches. In particular, the energy consumption in the production process was reduced compared to conventional vitrification and sintering method. Chemical resistance and heavy metals leaching results of glass ceramic composites further confirmed the possibility of its engineering applications.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Precious Metal Distributions in Direct Nickel Matte Smelting with Low-Cu Mattes

Base metal (Cu, Fe, and Ni) and trace element (Ag, Au, Co, Pd, and Pt) distributions between low-iron nickel mattes with [Ni]:[Cu] = 4 (w/w) have been studied at 1623 K to 1723 K (1350 °C to 1450 °C). We equilibrated small slag–matte samples with CO–CO{sub 2}–SO{sub 2}–Ar atmospheres in pre-selected P{sub S{sub 2}}–P{sub O{sub 2}} points, maintaining silica saturation by fused silica crucibles. The slags studied contained about 0 to 8.5 wt pct MgO. The matte–slag distribution coefficients L{sup m/s}[Me] were obtained from assays by electron probe X-ray microanalysis for the matte and by laser ablation-ICP-mass spectrometry for the slag. The measured L{sup m/s}[Me] values were clearly dependent on iron concentration of the matte and on MgO concentration of the slag, with values on the order of 10{sup 4}, 10{sup 5}, and 10{sup 4} for gold, platinum, and palladium, respectively, in the 5 wt pct iron in matte experiments. The obtained data for silver were scattered, due to volatilization, resulting in depletion of most silver and its escape from matte to gas phase during the 3-hour equilibration period. The matte-to-slag distribution coefficient for silver was estimated to be L{sup m/s}[Ag] = 100 to 400. We also measured the distributions of the base metals Cu and Ni in the same conditions as the trace elements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modeling of Liquid Steel/Slag/Argon Gas Multiphase Flow During Tundish Open Eye Formation in a Two-Strand Tundish

Multiphase flows are frequently encountered in metallurgical operations. One of the most effective ways to understand these processes is by flow modeling. The process of tundish open eye (TOE) formation involves three-phase interaction between liquid steel, slag, and argon gas. The two-phase interaction involving argon gas bubbles and liquid steel can be modeled relatively easily using the discrete phase modeling technique. However, the effect of an upper slag layer cannot be captured using this approach. The presence of an upper buoyant phase can have a major effect on the behavior of TOEs. Hence, a multiphase model, including three phases, viz. liquid steel, slag, and argon gas, in a two-strand slab caster tundish, was developed to study the formation and evolution of TOEs. The volume of fluid model was used to track the interphase between liquid steel and slag phases, while the discrete phase model was used to trace the movement of the argon gas bubbles in liquid steel. The variation in the TOE areas with different amounts of aspirated argon gas was examined in the presence of an overlying slag phase. The mathematical model predictions were compared against steel plant measurements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of Nozzle Radial Position, Separation Angle, and Gas Flow Partitioning on the Mixing, Eye Area, and Wall Shear Stress in Ladles Fitted with Dual Plugs

Mixing time, slag eye area, and wall shear stress in a ladle fitted with dual plugs have been studied as a function of operating variables, namely, gas flow rate, radial nozzle position, separation angle between nozzles and flow rate partitioning. While the mixing time and slag eye area have been experimentally investigated in a scaled water model (with and without a top slag layer), the shear stress on the vessel wall has been studied computationally via a RANS-based turbulent, three-dimensional coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (VOF-DPM), multiphase flow model. Experimental and computational results have indicated that the mixing, eye area, and wall shear stress depend on the gas flow rate, i.e., while mixing efficiency increases with the increasing gas flow rate, the slag eye area, and wall shear stress, in contrast, become more pronounced with the increasing gas flow, leading to an undesirable operating regime. The radial nozzle position, separation angle between the nozzles and flow rate partitioning at any given flow rate also influence the ladle process performance, influencing the mixing, eye area, and wall shear stress, albeit to a varied degree. Within the range of operating conditions studied, an expected inverse correspondence between mixing time and shear behavior was observed. Experimental and computational results in conjunction have indicated that the best arrangement of porous plugs or gas injection nozzles for superior ladle process performance is dependent on the gas flow rate and is specific to the desired objective (i.e., decreasing the mixing time, or slag eye area and wall shear stress). Hence, a unique gas injection practice cannot and should not be suggested as the optimum for ladle metallurgy in steelmaking. Nevertheless, if the mixing time is the parameter of primary interest, a nozzle configuration with equal flow partitioning (1:1) between the nozzles and identical nozzle radial positions (0.7R/0.7R, 45 deg) should suffice for both low and high gas flow rates. In contrast, a nonidentical nozzle radial position (0.7R/0.5R, 90 deg) and an unequal gas flow rate per nozzle (1:3) appear preferable if both ladle eye and shear stresses, rather than mixing, are the issues of concern.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

High-Temperature Interactions Between Vanadium-Titanium Magnetite Carbon Composite Hot Briquettes and Pellets Under Simulated Blast Furnace Conditions

The high-temperature interactions between vanadium-titanium magnetite carbon composite hot briquettes (VTM-CCBs) and pellets were systematically investigated under simulated blast furnace conditions with respect to the reduction behavior, softening–melting–dripping characteristics, gas permeability, and Ti(C, N) precipitation mechanisms. The results showed that VTM-CCB charging can promote the reduction of the pellet in the packed bed and decrease the compressive strength of the pellet after reduction. The compressive strength of the VTM-CCB after reduction decreased with increasing temperature when the FC/O ratio (the ratio of the fixed carbon mol(C) in coal to the reducible oxygen mol(O) in iron oxides) was higher than 1.0. With an FC/O ratio lower than 1.0, the compressive strength of the VTM-CCB initially decreased and then increased. The FC/O ratio has a significant influence on the softening–melting interaction mechanism between the VTM-CCB and the pellet. With an FC/O ratio of 0.8, the bonding layer at the interface between the pellet and the VTM-CCB (consisting of molten fayalitic slag) can promote the softening process, thereby decreasing the softening start and end temperatures. By increasing the FC/O ratio to 1.4, a dense metallic iron shell with relatively high strength formed at the interface and restricted the collapse of the packed bed, thereby increasing the softening start and end temperatures and ensuring the transport of the reduction gas through the packed bed. The melting point of the primary slag phase increased with increasing FC/O ratio due to a decrease in the FeO content, which resulted in an increase in the melting start temperature from 1273 °C to 1294 °C (1546 K to 1567 K). The gas permeability in the cohesive zone increased with an increasing FC/O ratio of the VTM-CCB due to a combination of the skeletal role performed by the residual VTM-CCB and the decrease in the liquid slag proportion. In addition, as the FC/O ratio increased to 1.4, unconsumed carbon promoted the precipitation of Ti(C, N) at the slag–carbon and slag–metal interfaces, which resulted in a substantial increase in the dripping temperature and deterioration of the dripping behavior of the packed bed. Therefore, to suppress the precipitation of Ti(C, N) and improve the dripping behavior of the packed bed, the FC/O ratio of the charged VTM-CCB should be controlled within an appropriate range.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Behavior of Ga, In, Sn, and Te in Copper Matte Smelting

The distributions of Ga, In, Sn, and Te between copper-iron mattes and silica-saturated iron silicate slags over a wide range of matte grades 55 to 75 pct Cu were determined at 1300 °C using a gas-phase equilibration-quenching technique and direct phase composition analysis by Electron Probe X-ray Microanalysis and Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Alumina from aluminum, a typical minor element of electric and electronic copper scrap, and lime were adopted as slag modifiers for increasing the trace element recoveries. Gallium and tin were distributed predominantly in the slag, indium preferred sulfide matte at low matte grades and slag at high, whereas tellurium strongly favored the sulfide matte in particular in high matte grades. The slag modifiers alumina and lime had a minor impact on the distribution coefficients of gallium and tin, but for indium and tellurium the distribution coefficients were more strongly affected by the basic oxides. The strong tendencies of tin and tellurium to vaporize at the experimental temperature were confirmed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Development of iron phosphate ceramic waste form to immobilize radioactive waste solution

The objective of this research was to develop an iron phosphate ceramic (IPC) waste form using converter slag obtained as a by-product of the steel industry as a source of iron instead of conventional iron oxide. Both synthetic off-gas scrubber solution containing technetium-99 (or Re as a surrogate) and LiCl-KCl eutectic salt, a final waste solution from pyrochemical processing of spent nuclear fuel, were used as radioactive waste streams. The IPC waste form was characterized for compressive strength, reduction capacity, chemical durability, and contaminant leachability. Compressive strengths of the IPC waste form prepared with different types of waste solutions were 16 MPa and 19 MPa for LiCl-KCl eutectic salt and the off-gas scrubber simulant, respectively, which meet the minimum compressive strength of 3.45 MPa (500 psi) for waste forms to be accepted into the radioactive waste repository. The reduction capacity of converter slag, a main dry ingredient used to prepare the IPC waste form, was 4,136 meq/kg by the Ce(IV) method, which is much higher than those of the conventional Fe oxides used for the IPC waste form and the blast furnace slag materials. Average leachability indexes of Tc, Li, and K for the IPC waste form were higher than 6.0, and the IPC waste form demonstrated stable durability even after 63-day leaching. In addition, the Toxicity Characteristic Leach Procedure measurements of converter slag and the IPC waste form with LiCl-KCl eutectic salt met the universal treatment standard of the leachability limit for metals regulated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. This study confirms the possibility of development of the IPC waste form using converter slag, showing its immobilization capability for radionuclides in both LiCl-KCl eutectic salt and off-gas scrubber solutions with significant cost savings.

converter slag↗

The historical contribution of solid rocket motors to the one centimeter debris population

The measured small particle population in earth orbit contains cm-sized objects that are not accounted for by breakup fragments. It was proposed that slag ejection during solid rocket motor burn is a contributor to this population. The direct evidence for such slag ejection follows from: observations of the exhausts of vehicles in flight, and engineering data from static firings. A source model is presented to account for the contribution of slag expulsion from solid rocket motors to the debris population. The mass and velocity distribution of the slag effluents are taken into account and used as a source term in the debris environment model. The model is based on the available observation data and on models for slag development and ejection.

Jackson, Albert↗

A Gibbs Energy Minimization Approach for Modeling of Chemical Reactions in a Basic Oxygen Furnace

In modern steelmaking, the decarburization of hot metal is converted into steel primarily in converter processes, such as the basic oxygen furnace. The objective of this work was to develop a new mathematical model for top blown steel converter, which accounts for the complex reaction equilibria in the impact zone, also known as the hot spot, as well as the associated mass and heat transport. An in-house computer code of the model has been developed in Matlab. The main assumption of the model is that all reactions take place in a specified reaction zone. The mass transfer between the reaction volume, bulk slag, and metal determine the reaction rates for the species. The thermodynamic equilibrium is calculated using the partitioning of Gibbs energy (PGE) method. The activity model for the liquid metal is the unified interaction parameter model and for the liquid slag the modified quasichemical model (MQM). The MQM was validated by calculating iso-activity lines for the liquid slag components. The PGE method together with the MQM was validated by calculating liquidus lines for solid components. The results were compared with measurements from literature. The full chemical reaction model was validated by comparing the metal and slag compositions to measurements from industrial scale converter. The predictions were found to be in good agreement with the measured values. Furthermore, the accuracy of the model was found to compare favorably with the models proposed in the literature. The real-time capability of the proposed model was confirmed in test calculations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Investigation of Origin of Attached Cu-Ag Droplets to Solid Particles During High-Temperature Slag/Copper/Spinel Interactions

This study investigates the origin of mechanically entrained metal droplets in liquid slag due to their interaction with solid spinel particles. Two possible mechanisms were proposed previously: separately formed droplets and spinel particles get attached to each other due to agitation of the slag and metal phases; or the spinel particles form by a chemical reaction together with a new droplet or alongside a droplet that was already present in the system. In this study, an inert tracer element was added to the metallic phase in adapted sessile drop experiments. For this purpose, Cu-Ag alloys, with various Ag-contents, were produced. The results showed that the small entrained metal droplets within the slag droplet contained Ag, but in very low amounts with respect to the amount of Ag in the Cu-Ag alloy. This indicates that the entrained metal droplets are formed due to a sequential combination of the two origins: first, very small metal droplets are dispersed in the slag drop, due to the emulsification process. Then, these metal droplets are nucleation sites for the Cu-spinel reactive formation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Study of a Single-Power Two-Circuit ESR Process with Current-Carrying Mold: Mathematical Simulation of the Process and Experimental Verification

A novel single-power two-circuit ESR process (ESR-STCCM) with current-carrying mold has been investigated via numerical simulation and experimental research in this paper. A 2D quasi-steady-state mathematical model is developed to describe ESR-STCCM. The electromagnetic field, flow field, slag pool temperature distribution, and the shape of a molten steel pool in ESR-STCCM have been investigated by FLUENT software as well as user-defined functions (UDF). The results indicate that ESR-STCCM is different from the conventional ESR process. The maximum electromagnetic force, current density, Joule heat, and slag pool flow velocity are located in the lower part of the conductor in the ESR-STCCM process. The direction of the maximum electromagnetic force inclines upward. There are two distinct vortices in the slag pool. The larger swirl rotates counterclockwise near the conductor, with a value of 0.0263 m s{sup −1} due to the interaction of the electromagnetic force and gravity. The maximum temperature of the slag pool is 2070 K (1797 °C) and is located in the center of the swirl with a filling ratio of 0.6 and a 20 mm electrode immersion depth. The depth of a molten steel pool is shallower, which is conducive to improving solidification quality. In addition, the filling ratio of 0.6 is conducive to controlling steel solidification quality. Some experiments have been done, and the numerical model is confirmed by experimental results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

An Assessment of the General Applicability of the Relationship Between Nucleation of CO Bubbles and Mass Transfer of Phosphorus in Liquid Iron Alloys

The current paper seeks to demonstrate the general applicability of the authors’ recently developed treatment of surface renewal during decarburization of Fe-C-S alloys and its effect on the mass transport of phosphorus in the metal phase. The proposed model employs a quantitative model of CO bubble nucleation in the metal to predict the rate of surface renewal, which can then in turn be used to predict the mass-transfer coefficient for phosphorus. A model of mixed transport control in the slag and metal phases was employed to investigate the dephosphorization kinetics between a liquid iron alloy and oxidizing slag. Based on previous studies of the mass-transfer coefficient of FeO in the slag, it was possible to separate the mass transfer coefficient of phosphorus in metal phase, k m , from the overall mass-transfer coefficient k o . Using this approach, k m was investigated under a wide range of conditions and shown to be represented reasonably by the mechanism proposed. The mass-transfer model was tested against results from the literature over a wide range of conditions. The analysis showed that the FeO content in the slag, silicon in the metal and the experimental temperature have strong impact on, k m , almost entirely because of their effect on decarburization behavior.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗