Refractory–Slag–Metal–Inclusion Multiphase Reactions Modeling Using Computational Thermodynamics: Kinetic Model for Prediction of Inclusion Evolution in Molten Steel

TLDR: In this article, a multiphase reaction model was developed by integrating the refractory-slag, slag-metal, and metal-inclusion elementary reactions in order to predict the evolution of inclusions during secondary refining processes.

Abstract: The refractory–slag–metal–inclusion multiphase reaction model was developed by integrating the refractory–slag, slag–metal, and metal–inclusion elementary reactions in order to predict the evolution of inclusions during the secondary refining processes. The mass transfer coefficient in the metal and slag phase, and the mass transfer coefficient of MgO in the slag were employed in the present multiphase reactions modeling. The “Effective Equilibrium Reaction Zone (EERZ) Model” was basically employed. In this model, the reaction zone volume per unit step for metal and slag phase, which is dependent on the ‘effective reaction zone depth’ in each phase, should be defined. Thus, we evaluated the effective reaction zone depth from the mass transfer coefficient in metal and slag phase at 1873 K (1600 °C) for the desulfurization reaction which was measured in the present study. Because the dissolution rate of MgO from the refractory to slag phase is one of the key factors affecting the slag composition, the mass transfer coefficient of MgO in the ladle slag was also experimentally determined. The calculated results for the variation of the composition of slag and molten steel as a function of reaction time were in good agreement with the experimental results. The MgAl2O4 spinel inclusion was observed at the early to middle stage of the reaction, whereas the liquid oxide inclusion was mainly observed at the final stage of the refining reaction. The content of CaO sharply increased, and the SiO2 content increased mildly with the increasing reaction time, while the content of Al2O3 in the inclusion drastically decreased. Even though there is slight difference between the calculated and measured results, the refractory–slag–metal multiphase reaction model constructed in the present study exhibited a good predictability of the inclusion evolution during ladle refining process.