Steel refining with an electrochemical cell

Patent · Tue May 17 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7022116

Blander, M; Cook, G M

Apparatus is described for processing a metallic fluid containing iron oxide, container for a molten metal including an electrically conductive refractory disposed for contact with the molten metal which contains iron oxide, an electrolyte in the form of a basic slag on top of the molten metal, an electrode in the container in contact with the slag electrically separated from the refractory, and means for establishing a voltage across the refractory and the electrode to reduce iron oxide to iron at the surface of the refractory in contact with the iron oxide containing fluid. A process is disclosed for refining an iron product containing not more than about 10% by weight oxygen and not more than about 10% by weight sulfur, comprising providing an electrolyte of a slag containing one or more of calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, silica or alumina, providing a cathode of the iron product in contact with the electrolyte, providing an anode in contact with the electrolyte electrically separated from the cathode, and operating an electrochemical cell formed by the anode, the cathode and the electrolyte to separate oxygen or sulfur present in the iron product therefrom. 2 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 4744875; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-028989
• OSTI ID: 7022116
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320303* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DESIGN
DESULFURIZATION
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYSIS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
IRON
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON OXIDES
LIQUID METALS
LIQUIDS
LYSIS
METALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRODUCTION
REDUCTION
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS