The Rate of the Phosphorous Reaction Between Liquid Iron and Slag

In the current study, the rates of dephosphorization and rephosphorization of liquid iron with simulated steelmaking slags were investigated at 1873 K (1600° C). The experiments were conducted in an induction furnace with supplemental heating to maintain a consistent temperature within both the metal and slag phases. An integrated form of the rate equation was used to evaluate the results, assuming mass transfer in both the slag and metal was rate controlling. The results of the current and previous studies indicate that the mass transfer parameter, the slag-metal surface area, and the overall mass transfer coefficient (A*k ₀), decreased as the reaction proceeded. It is proposed that initially when the rate and oxygen flux are high, the interfacial energy decreases, and the interfacial fluid velocity increases causing disruption of the slag metal interface. The consequent increases in interfacial area and interfacial fluid flow cause A*k ₀ to be high initially and then decrease as the oxygen flux decreases.