Removal of Phosphorous from Steel Produced by Melting Sponge Iron in Induction Furnace

In secondary route of steelmaking, production through induction melting furnace contributes about 31 % of India’s total steel production. The main raw materials used are steel scrap, cast iron and sponge iron. In India, majority of the induction furnaces are operated using acidic lining of silica based ramming mass to produce structural steel where basicity cannot be maintained to remove phosphorous and sulphur. In the present work, efforts are being made to generate the experimental data for refining of steel in 750 kg induction furnace. The basicity is maintained by addition of CaO and MgO in the form of flux. The slag is made oxidizing in nature by addition of sponge iron in the bath. Oxidation potential of the slag is fulfilled by presence of FeO in sponge iron. In every single heat, samples of slag and metal are collected. The degree of dephosphorization obtained is as high as 82 %.