Desulfurization in the Electro-Arc Furnace, Opportunity to Increase the Fe-Ni in Drenas

Ferronickel production from electric furnaces with increased concentrations of sulfur (S) and silicon (Si) and low concentration of carbon (C), has resulted in a relatively low Fe-Ni casting temperature and conditions, which have reduced the chances of desulfurization of metal outside the furnace as well as have reduced the Ni/Fe-Ni utilization coefficient. Thus, although less than 80% of sulfur is separated, the desulfurization process has resulted in a long stay of the metal in the converter with increased consumption of energy sources, high consumption of refractory materials, increased metal losses with scrap, and low utilization of production capacities. De-sulfuring and heating of metal in the electro-reduction furnace would allow better temperature control, injection of the lime combination with calcium carbonate, and the possibility of de-sulfuring grime removal. A shorter time of effective distention and standing of the metal in the converter will increase the the resistance of fire-proof material by up to 200%, compared with projected parameters and 240% compared with actual parameters, in addition, it will decrease oxygen expenses by up to 50% and amalgamation for more than 70%. The total refinement cycle, including the time in the electro-reduction stove in the boiler, will take approximately 167min, the effective distention time in the converter will be approximately 36 min, whereas the working coefficient of Ni will reach up to 0.9. Evaluation of operating conditions and parameters, as well as the composition of process products, through quantitative and qualitative methods and quality control through XRD analysis during the study has proven that with partial modifications of the refining process, the application of desulfurization in the electro-arc furnace would result in reducing normative resource costs, improving the metal utilization coefficient, reducing production costs, increasing the degree of safety and process control, and increasing the utilization rate of production capacities in converters and in the ferronickel plant in Drenas.