In Situ Observation of Dissolution of Ox

This study investigates the dissolution of Al2O3 and Al2TiO5 oxide inclusions in liquid CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 slags during the steelmaking process, which is crucial for improving steel cleanliness. The objective is to quantify the dissolution rates of these inclusions at high temperatures, specifically at 1550 °C, using high-temperature confocal scanning laser microscopy (HT-CSLM). A detailed methodology was employed to measure the changes in inclusion radius over time and to model the dissolution kinetics as a function of mass transfer in the slag. Results show that Al2O3 inclusions dissolve more slowly than Al2TiO5 inclusions under the given conditions, highlighting distinct differences in their dissolution rates. Furthermore, the investigation identifies mass transfer as the rate-limiting step in the dissolution process for both types of inclusions at the experimental temperature. These findings not only enhance understanding of the chemical interactions occurring during steel refining but also provide insights that can lead to improved operational efficiency in steel production processes.