Influence of Bottom Bubbling Rate on Formation of Metal Emulsion in Al-Cu Alloy and Molten Salt System

Song, Duk-Yong and Maruoka, Nobuhiro and Gupta, Govind Sharan and Shibata, Hiroyuki and Kitamura, Shin-ya and Sasaki, Naoto and Ogawa, Yuji and Matsuo, Michitaka (2012) Influence of Bottom Bubbling Rate on Formation of Metal Emulsion in Al-Cu Alloy and Molten Salt System. In: ISIJ International, 52 (6). pp. 1018-1025.

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Abstract

In steel refining process, an increase of interfacial area between the metal and slag through the metal droplets emulsified into the slag, so-called ``metal emulsion'', is one prevailing view for improving the reaction rate. The formation of metal emulsion was experimentally evaluated using Al-Cu alloy as metal phase and chloride salt as slag phase under the bottom bubbling condition. Samples were collected from the center of the salt phase in the container. Large number of metal droplets were separated from the salt by dissolving it into water. The number, surface area, and weight of the droplets increased with the gas flow rate and have local maximum values. The formation and sedimentation rates of metal droplets were estimated using a mathematical model. The formation rate increased with the gas flow rate and has a local maximum value as a function of gas flow rate, while the sedimentation rate is independent of the gas flow rate under the bottom bubbling condition. Three types of formation mode of metal emulsion, which occurred by the rupture of metal film around the bubble, were observed using high speed camera. During the process, an elongated column covered with metal film was observed with the increasing gas flow rate. This elongated column sometimes reached to the top surface of the salt phase. In this case, it is considered that fine droplets were not formed and in consequence, the weight of metal emulsion decreased at higher gas flow rate.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	ISIJ International
Publisher:	Japan Science and Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to the Japan Science and Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic.
Keywords:	metal emulsion;interfacial area;steelmaking;formation rate; sedimentation rate;formation mechanism of metal droplet
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Materials Engineering (formerly Metallurgy)
Date Deposited:	23 Jul 2012 12:45
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2012 12:45
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/44844

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