| Abstract Scope |
In ferrochrome (FeCr) production, the tap-hole refractory represents the highest wear area. As a case in point, In June 2017 during an annual maintenance shutdown of two 63 MVA submerged arc furnaces (SAFs), based in South Africa, wear of the primary carbon tap-hole refractory was observed to be so pronounced that little to no tapblock refractory remained. Preliminary desktop FactSage modelling work indicates that both alloy and slag had the potential to chemically wear the refractory material. The current study seeks to build on the modelling work, by performing laboratory-scale experiments aimed at validating the modelling outcome, as well as provide further insights into the chemical wear mechanism. Additional tests are conducted using alternative, industrially available, carbon refractory material to evaluate the same concepts. |