Mathematical modelling and plant trial on slagging regime in a ladle furnace for high-efficiency desulphurization

Intelligent iron/steel manufacturing has been drawing increasing attention in recent years. Slagging is of importance for clean steel production in the ladle furnace (LF) refining process. In this study, a calculation model of slag-making materials was established based on the actual LF refining conditions, the metallurgical mechanism model and the production data model of the sulphur distribution ratio. In order to test the slag-making model, the data of 50 heats from historical production were examined by using the model; as a result, 49 heats successfully reached the target sulphur content when the error of the lime weight is within the range of +/- 40 kg. Meanwhile, plant trials were carried out to validate the slag-making model; the results demonstrated that 45 out of 48 tested heats successfully reached the required level of desulphurization by adding slag-making materials at one time.