Electrochemical deoxidation of induction-stirred copper melts

Induction-stirred melts of copper contained in zirconia-base electrolyte crucibles were deoxidized by electrochemical pumping of oxygen. The rate-controlling step for the deoxidation reaction was found to be transport of oxygen in the electrolyte in the higher oxygen concentration ranges, and transport across a boundary layer in the melt at the melt/electrolyte interface for the lower concentration ranges. The mass transfer coefficient for transport of oxygen across the boundary layer at the melt/crucible interface was determined to be αco^u = 1.7 . exp (-12,900/äT) cm/s The optimization of the experimental parameters for this new deoxidation method are discussed.