Theoretical analysis of the interfacial phenomena during the injection of carbon particles into EAF slags

A theoretical analysis of FeO reduction through the injection of carbon fin es in electric arc furnace slags, involving the interfacial phenomena at th e liquid-gas-solid interface, has been performed using basic principles of transport phenomena and physical chemistry of steelmaking. It was found tha t small angle contacts between slag and carbon favour FeO reduction. Moreov er, FeO in basic slags are more prone to be reduced because the interfacial liquid-gas interface has more free reaction places. In acid slags FeO redu ction is difficult because the gas-liquid interface is partially filled by polymeric silicates. When the particle size is smaller than 100 mum the inf luence of slag basicity is considerably decreased. Practical applications o f these results can be found in electric arc furnace shops aiming at the ma stering of slag foaming practices and energy saving.