Exergy Analysis and Optimization of Ladle Furnace Refining Process

• Published in: Journal of iron and steel research, international Vol. 17; no. 11; pp. 24 - 28
• Main Authors: Min, Yi, Jiang, Mao-fa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Singapore 01.11.2010
• Subjects: Applied and Technical Physics; Arc heating; Engineering; Exergy; Iron and steel industry; Iron and steel making; Ladle furnaces; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials Engineering; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Optimization; Physical Chemistry; Processes; Refining; Steels; 升温速率; 埋弧加热; 工业性试验; 工艺优化; 火用分析; 炼钢过程; 钢包炉精炼; 钢包精炼炉; LF; submerged are heating; exergy loss; exergy analysis
• ISSN: 1006-706X; 2210-3988
• DOI: 10.1016/S1006-706X(10)60165-3

To decrease energy consumption of ladle furnace, exergy analysis and optimization were conducted based on the ladle furnace refining process of modern clean steelmaking. Exergy analysis results showed that exergy loss induced by unavailable electric energy is the largest, and the electric energy efficiency is 46.20%. To cut down the unavailable electric energy, industrial experiments of submerged arc heating were carried out combined with slag composition modification. Results showed that submerged arc heating can be achieved within most heating period, average heating rate increased by 0. 5 ℃/min, unavailable electric energy decreased by 21. 730 MJ per ton steel, and electric energy efficiency was enhanced by 14.84 %. As the refining cycle was shortened, the exergy loss induced by heat elimination decreased from 19. 455 MJ per ton steel to 11. 066 MJ per ton steel.