Skip to main content
Article
Development of a Process to Continuously Melt, Refine and Cast High Quality Steel
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
  • Kent D. Peaslee, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Von Richards, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • D. G. C. Robertson, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Jeffrey D. Smith, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Abstract

The purpose of this project is to conduct research and development targeted at developing a design for a steel making process that will revolutionize the way steel is made in the 21st century. The process being developed will be less capital and energy intensive to both build and maintain, significantly more productive, safer, environmentally friendly and cost effective to operate, and will produce higher quality steel faster than traditional batch processes. This process will deliver high quality steel from scrap to the casting mold in one continuous process. In the continuous steelmaking process (see Figure), three continuous vessels directly connect the electric arc furnace with the continuous caster replacing current batch ladle operations. The vessels are designed for fast, near-equilibrium reactions to ensure a large degree of control, productivity, flexibility, and to reduce maintenance with oxidizing conditions in the first two vessels (EAF, Oxidizer) and reducing conditions in the Reducer and Finisher. A series of two vessels with similar near-equilibrium conditions allows for optimum refining and for the minimization of variations in fluid flow (residence time distributions) and composition (chemistry, inclusion), contributing to the reliability and flexibility of the process. The sequential refining and the near-equilibrium, steady-state operation of the continuous process allow for increased refining and reduced alloy and flux consumptions as compared to the current EAF-LMF steelmaking route.

Department(s)
Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsor(s)
United States. Department of Energy
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Publication Date
1-1-2006
Publication Date
01 Jan 2006
Citation Information
Kent D. Peaslee, Von Richards, D. G. C. Robertson and Jeffrey D. Smith. "Development of a Process to Continuously Melt, Refine and Cast High Quality Steel" (2006)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/d-robertson/19/