Studies were carried out on the oxygen gas blowing process of molten steel in an argon gas stirring ladle. It was aimed to increase the bath temperature rapidly and to improve the steel cleanliness by minimizing oxidation losses of silicon and manganese.
A mathematical model, describing oxidation behaviors of [Al], [Si] and [Mn], was developed by considering reaction and mixing zones, and was compared with the measurement.
Results obtained were as follows:
(1) The model can reasonablly explain the heating speed and oxidation behavior of solute elements in molten steel. All parameters used in the model can be determined from operating conditions.
(2) In order to minimize oxidation of [Si] and [Mn] and to promote oxidation of [Al], it is necessary to increase circulation rate of molten steel and velocity of oxygen gas blown to molten steel, and to shorten the distance between top blowing lance and surface of molten steel.
