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 fines in electric arc furnace slags, involving the interfacial phenomena at the liquid-gas-solid interface, has been performed using basic principles of transport phenomena and physical chemistry of steel-making. It was found that small angle contacts between slag and carbon favour FeO reduction. Moreover, 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 reduction is difficult because the gas-liquid interface is partially filled by polymeric silicates. When the particle size is smaller than 100 μm the influence of slag basicity is considerably decreased. Practical applications of these results can be found in electric arc furnace shops aiming at the mastering of slag foaming practices and energy saving.