SPL as a Carbon Injection Source in an EAF: A Process Study

Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking requires the addition of carbon for a variety of reasons including reducing oxides (including iron) in the slag, acting as a combustible fuel source and adjusting the carbon content of the final steel product, and consequently liquidus of the steel and quality of the finished product. Ideal carbon sources for the EAF require high carbon content and low sulfur content. Spent pot lining (SPL) from the electrolysis of aluminum meets this requirement with the carbon content varying on its initial position in the Hall-Heroult electrolytic cell. SPL also contains significant amounts of silica and alumina, which are also common in steelmaking slags. SPL as a whole could both provide the necessary carbon for the process, as well as potentially replenishing the slag with flux. The present study will investigate the potential of using SPL as an EAF flux and the effect of varying parameters of SPL addition will be reported.