How To Select Ladle Refining Furnace Scientifically?

 

The ladle refining furnace is a core metallurgical equipment that integrates steelmaking, refining, temperature adjustment and buffering functions.

The smelting furnace receives the primary molten steel from the primary refining furnace (arc furnace, converter, open hearth furnace, etc.), implements secondary refining processes such as alloy composition fine-tuning, temperature precision control, and inclusion removal, and provides high-quality molten steel for the continuous casting process. It is an indispensable key equipment for refining outside the furnace in the modern steel production process.

LRF Refining Furnace Function

1. Intelligent temperature control system

The refining furnace adopts arc submerged arc heating technology, and realizes precise temperature increase (temperature control accuracy ±5℃) and constant temperature maintenance of molten steel through three-phase electrode regulation. The system supports:

- Precise proportion of alloy elements (error < 0.02%)

- Add slag-making materials as needed

- Accurately achieve the target temperature of continuous casting (typical pouring temperature 1540-1650℃)

2. Argon stirring system

LRF implements inert gas stirring through the bottom multi-layer composite breathable bricks (service life > 200 furnaces) to form:

- Circulation speed of molten steel 0.3-0.8m/s

- Composition uniformity is improved by more than 40%

- Promote the floating removal of inclusions (removal rate > 85%)

3. Vacuum treatment system

The ladle refining furnace adopts a multi-stage steam jet pump group (exhaust capacity ≥ 600Pa·m³/s), combined with dynamic sealing technology, to achieve:

- Ultimate vacuum ≤ 133Pa

- Hydrogen content is reduced to < 2ppm

- Oxygen and sulfur content are reduced by 60% and 75% respectively

- Total oxygen content is controlled in the range of 15-30ppm

Scientific Selection Factors For Ladle Refining Furnace

1. Matching process requirements

- Product positioning: bearing steel needs to be equipped with RH vacuum tank, pipeline steel should choose CAS-OB system

- Capacity matching: processing cycle and continuous casting rhythm are coordinated (typical processing time 45-90min)

- Steel type coverage: stainless steel needs to be equipped with oxygen lance system, ultra-pure steel requires vacuum degree ≤50Pa

2. Refractory material configuration

- Working layer: magnesia carbon brick (w(C)≥8%) corrosion resistant layer + high aluminum castable insulation layer

- Impact zone: zirconium composite patch (life increased by 30%)

- Bottom permeable element: corundum seat brick + chrome corundum permeable core brick

3. Equipment technical indicators

- Transformer capacity: 6-12MVA/ton steel

- Electrode adjustment speed: lifting>3m/min, rotation±360°

- Vacuum system exhaust capacity: ≥800Pa·m³/t steel

- Automation level: Level 3 computer control system (setting accuracy ±1℃)

The scientific selection of ladle refining furnace should follow the principle of "process adaptation, technological foresight, and economic rationality", and achieve the optimal match between refining process and production demand by building a decision matrix including steel grade structure, production capacity scale, quality requirements, and investment return.

E-mail: alice@srfurnace.com  / Tel: +86 15686041999 (Alice)

E-mail: anna@srfurnace.com  / Whatsapp: +86 159 2955 5868 (Anna)

Website: www.srfurnace.com / www.srmeltingfurnace.com / 

Xi'an Sanrui Electric Furnace