Abstract
The study was made on the rate of decarburization of molten steel in the low carbon content range ([%C] ≤0.1 mass%) under reduced pressure to reveal the effects of sulfur content of molten steel, pressure and CO bubble formation in the metal bath. The chemical reaction rate constant at gas-metal interface was estimated. The value obtained was far greater than that of previously reported value by Harashima et al.using CO2-CO-Ar gas. The reaction model analysis was made on the assumption that agitation by the formation of CO bubbles increased the interfacial area of bath surface.
Three-step, i.e. mass transfer in metal and gas phases and chemical reaction at gas-metal interface were taken into consideration in the model.
