Securing heat source to lower hot metal ratio in basic oxygen steelmaking process

The most important factor affecting the mitigation of CO 2 emissions in the oxygen steelmaking process is the heat source of a basic oxygen furnace (BOF). With sufficient heat, it is possible to lower the hot metal ratio (HMR). However, when the heat source in the BOF is insufficient and the HMR is relatively low, the end-point oxygen content in molten steel increases due to the over-oxidation of iron. This results in a decrease in the cleanliness and yield of molten steel. The present study describes a technical breakthrough in securing heat sources and quantitative figures for reducing CO 2 emissions in a BOF. It involves manipulating the six operational parameters of torpedo ladle car (TLC) one-to-one matching, a TLC insulation board, the Kanbara reactor treatment time, BOF refractory slag coating, BOF operation (double-slag process), and a BOF post-combustion lance. The HMR reduction for the six parameters was 4.5%p.