The core principle of the oxygen-enriched side-blowing furnace is to blow oxygen-enriched gas directly into the metal molten pool in the furnace through the side-blowing pipe. Oxygen reacts with the high-temperature metal in the furnace. Oxygen can promote combustion and oxidize impurities in the charge, such as carbon, sulfur, phosphorus, etc., which helps to remove impurities and improve the quality of the metal.
In the oxygen-enriched side-blowing furnace, oxygen reacts chemically with the charge at a higher oxygen concentration (usually above 21%, up to 80-90%), which improves the thermal efficiency and reaction rate during the smelting process. Oxygen not only accelerates the oxidation reaction, but also reduces the introduction of nitrogen during blowing, thereby avoiding nitrogen pollution.
Application of oxygen-enriched side-blowing furnace
Steel smelting
Converter steelmaking: Oxygen-enriched side-blowing technology is widely used in converter steelmaking, especially for the production of high-carbon steel, low-alloy steel and high-quality steel. Through oxygen-enriched blowing, the furnace temperature can be effectively increased, the smelting process can be accelerated, the steelmaking time can be shortened, and oxidation losses can be reduced.
Electric arc furnace steelmaking: In the process of electric arc furnace steelmaking, oxygen-enriched side blowing can improve the oxidation reaction in the furnace, improve the melting efficiency of scrap steel and the effect of removing impurities. By controlling the amount of oxygen blown in, the temperature and atmosphere in the furnace can be accurately adjusted to obtain higher quality molten steel.
Cast iron smelting: In the smelting process of cast iron, oxygen-enriched blowing helps to remove harmful elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, and carbon in the molten iron, thereby improving the composition and properties of cast iron.
Improve combustion efficiency: In steelmaking furnaces and electric furnaces, oxygen-enriched gas not only accelerates the process of oxidation reaction, but also improves combustion efficiency. Since oxygen is more reactive than nitrogen in the air, the use of oxygen-enriched technology can increase the temperature in the furnace, reduce energy consumption, and thus reduce production costs.
Optimize the smelting process: Oxygen-enriched side-blowing furnaces can achieve more precise temperature and atmosphere control during the smelting process, thereby obtaining higher metal purity and lower impurity content. Especially in the production of high-end alloy steel and special steel, oxygen-enriched side-blowing furnace technology can effectively improve the quality of molten steel.
Increase the melting rate of the charge: By increasing the oxygen concentration, the oxygen-enriched side-blowing furnace can increase the heat release in the furnace, accelerate the melting of the charge, and shorten the smelting cycle. This plays an important role in improving production efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and increasing overall production capacity.
Energy saving and emission reduction: Oxygen-enriched blowing can increase the temperature and reaction rate of the smelting process, reduce the demand for traditional fuels, and thus achieve energy saving and reduce exhaust gas emissions. By reducing oxidation losses and improving the utilization rate of charge, the oxygen-enriched side-blowing furnace can significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
Aluminum smelting and copper smelting: In addition to steel smelting, oxygen-enriched blowing can also be used in the smelting process of non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum and copper. In the production process of these metals, oxygen-enriched technology can improve smelting efficiency and reduce energy consumption.