Carbothermic Reduction of MgO by Microwave Irradiation

Abstract

A new method has been developed to produce magnesium vapor for deoxidation or desulfurization of molten iron. Microwave heating of magnesium oxide and graphite powder mixtures was carried in air or argon flowing atmosphere, utilizing a commercial microwave oven operated at 2.45 GHz. Progress of carbothermic reduction of MgO was observed, and the influences of morphology and carbon content of the samples on the heating behavior and the fractional reduction of MgO were investigated. Particularly, the initial graphite particle size was found as an important factor for heating and reduction behavior. Also, MgO–C brick was subjected to the microwave treatment and was found to be a candidate as Mg sources.