Silicon oxidation required oxidant fluxes

The open hearth proeess (Fig. 21.37) uses a dishlike container that holds 100 to 200 tons of molten iron. An external heat source is required to keep the iron molten, and a concave roof over the container reflects heat back toward the iron surface. A blast of air or oxygen is passed over the surface of the iron to react with impurities. Silicon and manganese are oxidized first and enter the slag, followed by oxidation of carbon to carbon monoxide, which causes agitation and foaming of the molten bath. The exothermic oxidation of carbon raises the temperature of the bath, causing the limestone flux to calcine ... 

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