Effect of FeO in the slag and silicon in the metal on the desulfurization of hot metal

Work has been conducted to investigate the effects of FeO in the slag and silicon in the metal on hot metal desulfurization. Laboratory experimental results show that FeO decreases and silicon increases the rate of desulfurization. Silicon in the metal is consumed by the reduction of FeO and also by the desulfurization reaction. A mathematical kinetic model was developed to describe both the effects of silicon and FeO on desulfurization for the laboratory scale. The model predicts the sulfur and silicon content in the metal and the FeO and sulfur content in the slag as a function of time. It is based on four-component simultaneous mass transfer: sulfur and silicon in the metal and FeO and sulfur in the slag. Experimental results, the development of the kinetic model, and a comparison of the model and experimental results are presented.