Kinetics of Oxygen Refining Process for Ferromanganese Alloys

High carbon ferromanganese is an essential alloy used in steelmaking, characterized by its composition of 7.5 mass% C, 74 to 82 mass% Mn, and up to 1.2 mass% Si. This study aims to enhance the understanding of the kinetics involved in the oxygen refining process, particularly focusing on decarburization and manganese loss mechanisms. Experimental analyses were conducted following the methods outlined by Yamamoto et al., which included the examination of the impact of several oxygen blowing configurations on a high carbon ferromanganese alloy melt. The experimental setup entailed monitoring the contents of carbon and manganese, alongside melt temperature, at three-minute intervals. Results revealed significant manganese loss, driven primarily by vapor diffusion through a boundary layer, compounded by MnO mist formation. This loss, characterized as Mn3O4, also correlates with an increase in melt temperature. The findings underscore the importance of considering manganese oxidation in gas phases, indicating that previous interpretations may have overlooked critical aspects of the melt's behavior under varying conditions. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for refining processes and improving alloy quality in industrial applications.