Oxygen steelmaking

Over 95% of the world s DRI production is consumed in electric arc furnace steelmaking. The remaining 5% is spHt among blast furnaces, oxygen steelmaking, foundries, and ladle metallurgy (qv) faciUties. 

In oxygen steelmaking, 99.5% pure oxygen gas is mixed with hot metal, causiag the oxidation of the excess carbon and siHcon ia the hot metal and thereby produciag steel. In the United States, this process is called the basic-oxygen process (BOP) (4,9,10). The first U.S. commercial iastallation began operation in 1955. 

Fig. 4. Sketch of a basic-oxygen steelmaking furnace, where an oxygen lance is iaserted through the mouth of the furnace (1).

The BOS (Basic Oxygen Steelmaking) process is the major modem process for making bulk steels. Apart from special quality steels (such as stainless steel), all flat products, and long products over a certain size, are rolled from steel made by the BOS process. 

Ajax An oxygen steelmaking process in which the oxygen is injected into an open hearth furnace through water-cooled lances. Used at the Appleby-Frodingham steelworks, UK. 

EOF [Energy optimizing furnace] An oxygen steelmaking process in which part of the heat is provided by the combustion of carbon powder blown beneath the surface of the molten iron. Developed by the KORF group and being considered for use in India in 1987. 

Jackson, A., Oxygen Steelmaking for Steelmakers, Newnes-Butterworths, London, 1969, 165. Boltz, C. E., Materials Technology, Vol. 3, Longman, London, and J. H. de Bussy, Amsterdam, 1970, Chap. 3. 

Oxygen solubility, in aeration water treatment, 26 153-154 Oxygen sources, for fermentation, 44 25 Oxygen steelmaking, quicklime requirements for, 45 68 Oxygen steelmaking processes, 23 255-260 Oxygen transfer, 26 153... 

Basic Oxygen Steelmaking. New Technology Emerges Proceedings of the Conference, Metallurgical Society of London, 1979. Contains papers on refractories for conventional and new bottom-blown vessels. 

Jackson, A., Oxygen Steelmaking for Steelmakers, Newnes-Butterworths, London, 1969, 165. 

D. Ameling, Role and effects of oxygen steelmaking - Remarks [at] the... 4th European Oxygen Steelmaking Conference, Stahl Und Eisen 123(4), 41-44, Apr. 15 (2003). 

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