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ABSTRACT
The furnace method was evaluated as a potential improvement on the mixing method for the production of low carbon ferrochrome. The furnace method can provide significant savings in the operating cost, primarily due to a saving of 29%–47% in the energy consumption. Hexavalent chromium formation is also expected to be lower due to the difference in furnace design and operating conditions. Thermochemical modeling showed a lime-fluxed slag with a basicity of between 1.8 and 1.9 to be the most desirable slag. A magnesia refractory lining is the most suitable material for this process. Smelting tests largely confirmed the modelling results.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the University of Pretoria for providing the facilities and funding for the test work. A particular word of thanks goes to Dr. Robert Cromarty, Mr. Carel Coetzee, and Mr. Bundjoko Kweto from the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering for their assistance with the smelting tests, SEM, and leaching tests, respectively.