Effect of slag/metal interfacial tension on kinetics of dephosphorisation

The effect of interfacial tension on the kinetics of the dephosphorisation of iron has been investigated. X-ray monitoring of the shape of a molten ir on droplet in liquid slag showed that there was a marked reduction in the i nterfacial tension gamma(ms) during periods of rapid mass transfer and an i ncrease in gamma(ms) as the mass transfer process slowed down, similar to t hat observed for desulphurisation. The dephosphorisation kinetics was found to be first order with respect to phosphorus in the liquid iron and implie d that, for the system studied, mass transfer of phosphorus in the slag pha se is the Fate controlling step. I&S/1397.