CHROMIUM OXIDATION AND REDUCTION KINETICS IN THE PRODUCTION OF STAINLESS-STEEL IN ARGON-OXYGEN DECARBURIATION UNITS

The main kinetics characteristics (order of reaction, rate constant, a pparent activation energy, mass transfer coefficient. thickness of bou ndary diffusion layer) are established and rate controlling stages are found for chromium oxidation and reduction processes at different ste ps of blowing stainless steel in argon-oxygen decarburization units. W ide ranges of chromium content of steel (12.7 to 18.9%) and of chromiu m oxides in slag (0.20 to 31.7%) are covered. Oxidation of chromium is controlled by external mass transfer, whereas reduction is controlled by internal mass transfer.