The ladle arc refining furnace is a specialized furnace used for refining steel liquid after the initial refining process in a general steelmaking furnace. This furnace relies on arc heating in a vacuum as a means of refining. This technology was researched by Nippon Steel Corporation in 1971, based on the experience of other refining methods and equipment such as ASEA-SKF, refining furnace, VAD furnace, and VOD method, avoiding their difficulties and developing new methods.
| Insulation layer | Lightweight insulation |
| Permanent layer | Clay brick or high alumina brick |
| Working layer | Aluminum magnesia carbon brick Magnesia carbon brick High alumina brick |
| Drainage sand | Chrome ore |
The ladle arc refining furnace is a specialized technology used for refining steel in a vacuum using electric arc heating. This method is used to further refine steel that has already undergone initial refining in a standard steelmaking furnace and is performed in a dedicated ladle.
It refines steel liquid that has been initially refined in a general steelmaking furnace in a dedicated ladle. This technology was developed in 1971 by the Japanese company, Daido Steel Co., Ltd., based on the mature experience of other refining methods such as ASEA-SKF, refining furnaces, VAD furnaces, VOD methods, and refining equipment while avoiding their difficulties.
The ladle is situated on a ladle car, and the optimum ratio of the depth of the melt pool to the diameter of the pool surface is H/D = 1.0-1.4. The water-cooled flange ring for sealing is located outside the ladle mouth and is equipped with a water-cooled cover.
The bottom is equipped with a sliding LF water outlet for casting steel, and porous bricks for blowing argon are placed at a distance of r/2 to r/3 from the furnace wall (r is the radius of the furnace bottom). The argon gas flow rate during the refining process is determined according to different workstations and ladle capacity.
The argon gas flow rate can be as high as 200 L/min to achieve the purpose of stirring the steel liquid. During vacuum treatment, there is up to 1000mm of free space on the steel liquid surface inside the ladle. The ladle lining is made of magnesia carbon brick, magnesia chrome brick, high alumina brick, or zirconia chrome brick, depending on the process requirements for refining steel. A comprehensive bricklaying method is adopted.
The ladle arc refining furnace plays a crucial role in refining molten steel that is produced through initial refining methods such as arc furnaces, open hearth furnaces, and converters. It can not only adjust the temperature and composition of steel but also meet the requirements of continuous casting and rolling. The ladle arc refining furnace is a vital device used for refining outside the furnace.
The main functions of the ladle arc refining furnace include: providing heating and heat preservation for the steel liquid, stirring the steel liquid using argon gas, and carrying out vacuum degassing to remove impurities such as hydrogen and nitrogen from the steel liquid. Employing the ladle arc refining furnace can improve overall metallurgical production efficiency and accelerate production rates for enterprises. This furnace is widely used in industries such as steel, metallurgy, and others.
