2020 Volume 60 Issue 4 Pages 691-698
In the steelmaking process, MgAl2O4 spinel inclusions diminish steel qualities and cause nozzle clogging based on the high melting point and low deformation of MgAl2O4. Typically, MgAl2O4 spinel inclusions are generated from Al2O3 inclusions with increasing MgO content, meaning ladle treatment does not represent an equilibrium state. However, complex reactions simultaneously occur between molten steel, slag, inclusions, refractory, and alloying elements during ladle treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a kinetic model to predict compositional changes in molten steel, slag, and the inclusions during ladle treatment. Such a kinetic model must be able to simulate the generation of MgAl2O4 spinel inclusions from Al2O3 to control such inclusions. Additionally, MgAl2O4 spinel inclusions can evolve into MgO-rich inclusions with gradually increasing MgO content in Mg–Al-based inclusions. In this study, we developed an enhanced kinetic model based on a coupled reaction model with the compositional changes in Mg–Al-based inclusions. We also investigated the influence of the CaO/SiO2 ratio in slag on the generation of spinel inclusions under industrial conditions for a 210-ton steel sample.