Multicomponent silicon chromium alloys as an innovative metallurgical reducer

This publication presents the results of modelling physicochemical processes in a submerged arc furnace for melting silicon-iron-chromium alloys characterized by a Cr/Fe ratio of at least 2.0. The refining of these alloys by metallurgical decarburization is also discussed, reducing the C content to a maximum of 0.02 % by weight. These alloys are used as new chromium ore reducers in the production of low-carbon ferrochrome. A physicochemical model developed before trial production of the alloys enabled the determination of key parameters of the technological process and the definition of their allowable ranges of variability. The developed model was verified through its implementation into metallurgical practice at the ReAlloys sp. z o.o. ferroalloys plant. It was determined that, provided appropriate technological procedures were maintained, the deviations between the parameters calculated in the model and those obtained during production did not exceed 3 %.