The Fundamentals of Micro-Particle Removal by Liquid Oxides

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The nature and quantity of the micro-particles formed in steel is critical in steelmaking, affecting both productivity due to clogging, and quality of the steel produced. Understanding and controlling how the micro-particles (inclusions) can be removed efficiently is crucial to optimizing the operating conditions of steel refining units and improving end product quality. There is a limited knowledge how fast the inclusions can be removed and what parameters are controlling the removability of inclusions from liquid steel. The primary aim of this research program is to use the dissolution rates of inclusions, as determined by high temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy, to quantitatively describe inclusion removal from liquid steel. This program particularly focuses on Ti containing inclusions of a range of compositions that are not currently being investigated, but which are of vital importance to the steel industry, particularly U.S. Steel Canada and ArcelorMittal Dofasco. In the longer term the experimental and modelling techniques established in this work will be employed to understand a broader range of inclusions-removal in the refining of steel. The proposed research program will establish a production technique for synthetic Ti-containing inclusions, which can be used in experiments to better understand and control the removal of Ti-containing inclusions by a protective slag. This work is essential in developing a modeling tool, based on process chemistry that will enable reliable prediction of dissolution rate of inclusions during steel refining. Understanding of inclusion removal developed in this research will assist steelmakers in optimizing their process parameters for inclusion control in ladle steelmaking processes in order to remain competitive in the high value end of the steel market. The proposed research provides excellent level of fundamental research training incorporating a state of the art confocal laser scanning microscope for graduate students. The students to be trained through this project (initially 2PhD and 2Masters) will have the opportunity, through the McMaster Steel Research Centre, to interact with a wide range of steel companies and will have excellent employment opportunities when their studies are finished. This project will extend of the research capabilities at McMaster University and contribute to a consequent improvement in the economic and environmental performance of the Canadian steel industry. The outcomes of this project will lead to improvements in productivity in the steel refining process and decreased energy consumption. Furthermore, it will complement and advance the capabilities of equipment within the McMaster Melt Processing Laboratory. High quality steel in higher added value is the target of most Canadian steel companies to be globally competitive and maintain market share. This is an essential pre-requisite for maintaining the profitability of the Canadian Steel Industry, which is worth $14 billion to the Canadian economy, generates 25,000 jobs in Canada directly and supports over 100,000 jobs indirectly.