TY - JOUR

T1 - Thermodynamic Refractory Corrosion Model for Ferronickel Manufacturing

AU - Sagadin, Christoph

AU - Luidold, Stefan

AU - Wagner, Christoph

AU - Pichler, Christoph

AU - Kreuzer, Daniel

AU - Spanring, Alfred

AU - Antrekowitsch, Helmut

AU - Clarke, Amy

AU - Clarke, Kester

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021, The Author(s).

PY - 2021/2/24

Y1 - 2021/2/24

N2 - A thermodynamic model, based on SimuSage, was developed to simulate refractory corrosion between a magnesia-based refractory material and ferronickel (FeNi) slags. The model considers a theoretical cross-section of a refractory material to simulate a ferronickel smelter application. The current model is structured into 10 zones, which characterize different sectors in the brick (hot to cold side) perpendicular to the refractory surface with an underlying temperature gradient. In each zone, the model calculates the equilibrium between the slag and a specified amount of refractory material. The emerging liquid phases are transferred to subsequent zones. Meanwhile, all solids remain in the calculated zone. This computational process repeats until a steady state is reached in each zone. The simulation results show that when FeNi slag infiltrates into the refractory material, the melt dissolves the magnesia-based refractory and forms silicates (Mg,Fe,Ca)2SiO4 and Al spinel ((Mg,Fe)Al2O4). Furthermore, it was observed that iron oxide from the slag reacts with the refractory and generates magnesiowustite (Mg,Fe)O. Practical lab-scale tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) characterization confirmed the formation of these minerals. Finally, the refractory corrosion model (RCM) ultimately provides a pathway for improving refractory lifetimes and performance.

AB - A thermodynamic model, based on SimuSage, was developed to simulate refractory corrosion between a magnesia-based refractory material and ferronickel (FeNi) slags. The model considers a theoretical cross-section of a refractory material to simulate a ferronickel smelter application. The current model is structured into 10 zones, which characterize different sectors in the brick (hot to cold side) perpendicular to the refractory surface with an underlying temperature gradient. In each zone, the model calculates the equilibrium between the slag and a specified amount of refractory material. The emerging liquid phases are transferred to subsequent zones. Meanwhile, all solids remain in the calculated zone. This computational process repeats until a steady state is reached in each zone. The simulation results show that when FeNi slag infiltrates into the refractory material, the melt dissolves the magnesia-based refractory and forms silicates (Mg,Fe,Ca)2SiO4 and Al spinel ((Mg,Fe)Al2O4). Furthermore, it was observed that iron oxide from the slag reacts with the refractory and generates magnesiowustite (Mg,Fe)O. Practical lab-scale tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) characterization confirmed the formation of these minerals. Finally, the refractory corrosion model (RCM) ultimately provides a pathway for improving refractory lifetimes and performance.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85101516560&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s11663-021-02077-x

DO - 10.1007/s11663-021-02077-x

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85101516560

VL - 52.2021

SP - 1052

EP - 1060

JO - Metallurgical and materials transactions. B, Process metallurgy and materials processing science

JF - Metallurgical and materials transactions. B, Process metallurgy and materials processing science

SN - 1073-5615

IS - 2

ER -