EAF REFRACTORY PERFORMANCE AT PACIFIC STEEL

NEW ZEALAND

Don Sanford
Product Manager Refractories
Chemiplas, New Zealand Ltd
Level 2, 42 Upper Queen Street
Auckland, New Zealand
DonS@chemiplas.co.nz

Brian Garside
Steel Plant Manager
Pacific Steel
259 James Fletcher Drive
Otahuhu, New Zealand
BrianCa@fcsw.co.nz

Chris Schonewille
Steel Plant Operations Manager
Pacific Steel
259 James Fletcher Drive
Otahuhu, New Zealand
ChrisSc@fcsw.co.nz

and

Tom Miller, Asia Technical Manager

LWB Refractories, Australia
232 East Market Street
York, Pennsylvania
U.S.A

Keywords: Foaming, Slag, Models

ABSTRACT

This paper deals with the practical application of Isothermal Stability Diagrams to foaming slag practice in the
Electric Arc Furnace at Fletcher Industries, Pacific Steel, Auckland, New Zealand. Refractory life in the
furnace increased from the range of 800 heats to more than 2500 heats as a direct result of applying the new
foaming slag practice. With further optimization of the practice, associated operational cost savings in
increased yield and lower power consumption, was realized.

1
 INTRODUCTION

The Steel Plant at Pacific Steel (Fletcher Building – New Zealand) has increased their EAF refractory sidewall
campaigns life from 800 heats to 2614 heats within 18 months, by adopting a “foamy slag practice’.
This was achieved by a joint effort between:
• Pacific Steel
• Chemiplas (installation/management of refractories at Pacific Steel)
• LWB Refractories Applied Technology (formerly Baker Refractories).

PLANT BACKGROUND

Pacific Steel was founded in 1962, its purpose initially to develop Ironsand processing and to recycle the scrap
iron and steel to provide finished steel products for the New Zealand economy. The plant consisted of a low
power EAF, which cast into ingots. Pacific Steel upgraded their facilities significantly over the next 10 years by
upgrading their EAF transformers, installing water-cooled panels on the EAF sidewalls, the installation of a
Ladle Furnace and an in-line H&K Bar Mill.

The steel plant is equipped with 1 (one) 35 MVA, 50 ton Krupp Electric Arc Furnace with one (1) side mounted
Moore oxygen and carbon injection lance. The typical oxygen consumption is 23Nm³ per tonne. Tap to tap time
is 74 minutes average. The EAF has a side mounted slidegate system.

Secondary refining is via a Krupp Ladle Furnace. The ladle furnace feeds a three strand 120 – 150mm Rokop
Billet Caster, which typically casts at a speed of 1.5m/min. The alloy and flux additions are added during tap.
Argon for ladle stirring is via a porous plug, which is used at tap and at the ladle furnace. The ladle furnace is
equipped to add alloys and fluxes from a hopper system above the refining station and with an Obermath wire
injection feeder to feed Ca wire to the heat during refining and before sending it to the caster.

Application include reinforcing bar, rebar coil, rounds, bar, angles, un-equal angles, flat, channels and wire rod.

FURNACE HISTORY

As mentioned previously, the electric arc furnace has had several enhancements to improve its performance,
such as:
• Water-cooled panels above the sidewall slag line.
• Modified roof design to include water-cooled panels, leaving only a refractory delta section.
• Oxy-fuel burner technology to enhance the melting process.
• Foaming slag coupled with a hot heel practice that speeds up the melting phase of the operation.
• Side mounted slide gate system for virtually slag free tapping.

The EAF refractory lining has not changed much over the past 6 years (Figure 1). The bricks for the entire
furnace are supplied by LWB Refractories. The sidewall brick is a magnesia-carbon with 96% MgO with 13 %
retained carbon. The mast wall has a higher carbon content of 17%.

Sidewall campaign life was consistently around 800 – 840 heats, until the foaming slag practice was adopted
from LWB Applied Technology.
 Sidewall bricks: Taphole surround blocks:
mag-carbon mag-carbon

Taphole sleeve gunning:

magnesite

Sub-hearth bricks: Hearth ramming:

mag-carbon magnesite

Taphole sleeve:
mag-carbon

Steel Shell Hearth safety bricks:

magnesite

Fig. 1. EAF design at Pacific Steel

ISOTHERMAL STABILITY DIAGRAMS

The Isothermal stability diagram (ISD) shown in Figure 2 is an example of the primary tool used by LWB
Refractories to characterize EAF slags. As can be seen, the figure shows the phases present in EAF slags by
plotting %MgO versus %FeO+%MnO at 1600°C and a specific basicity ratio (B3 of 1.6 in the example). B3 is
defined by the ratio of lime over alumina plus silica in the slag. Indications on the diagram are the MgO and
CaO saturation levels of the slag as well as the point of dual CaO/MgO saturation. These charts are generated
according to a specific temperature and basicity for each operation as well as for specific grades of steel being
made.

The dotted lines in Figure 2 are the inferred areas for optimum foaming. Slags with chemistries falling in the
MW+L (Magnesia Wustite) phase area and close to the dotted line will not only foam well with carbon injection
but will also be fully compatible with Magnesia-Carbon refractories. Good foaming is also possible in the
region of the dotted line in the C2S + L area but excellent control of the FeO levels in the slag would be
required to maintain the foaming. Slags falling in the C2S + L liquid area are vulnerable to increases in FeO
content since it could move the slag composition from a good foamy condition to the all-liquid region for only a
small increase in FeO content. Slags falling into the all-liquid area of the chart will not have the correct
viscosity to form a good sustained foamy slag. Targeting slags in the MW + L area not only ensures refractory
compatibility but it also create slags that can absorb significant amounts of FeO while maintaining good
foaming properties.

3
 Dual Saturation
MgO Saturation

CaO Saturation

Fig. 2: Isothermal Stability Diagram (ISD) at a constant basicity of 1.6 and a temperature of 1600°C

The theory behind the construction of the ISD diagrams is fully discussed in various references (1,2,3). This
paper deals with the application of the technology specifically to the EAF at Fletcher's Pacific Steel in
Auckland, New Zealand. With close cooperation between Chemiplas, LWB and Pacific Steel, huge gains were
made in refractory performance as well as specific operational advantages.

FOAMY SLAG MODEL

A Foamy Slag Model developed by LWB Refractories was used to evaluate the EAF slags at Pacific Steel.
Figure 3 is a captured screen shot of program and it shows that the model is very flexible in the number of
options available for building EAF slags. It allows for the use of either Dolomite or Magnesia as a source of
MgO. The typical chemistries of the flux materials for the slags are also input. The horizontal sloped line
calculated in the program and plotted in the ISD, represents the evolution of the slag over increasing amounts of
FeO. The program will then make a recommendation for a new slag chemistry based on the original B3 basicity
ratio by adjusting the amounts of lime and MgO, as shown in the bottom right of the program. The program
also makes it possible to change the basicity of the recommended slag or the level of MgO super saturation and
then calculates where it would fall on the diagram.

The timing of slag foaming, either later or earlier in the heat, may be controlled by the basicity of the slag. A
higher basicity slag will foam later in the heat (higher FeO) than a lower basicity slag. This would prove to be
very useful in heats making low carbon steels where high amounts of oxygen are blown and larger amounts of
FeO are generated.

4
In the above example, the final slag falls into the liquid area of the chart and therefore will not be foaming at the
end of the heat. From the evolution of the slag, there was a period of good foaming when the total FeO reached
about 18% and continued till the FeO exceeded 23%. To have this slag in the good foamy area during the final
stages of the heat, it is recommended to add sufficient MgO, 405kg, to bring the MgO level to 1.5% above
saturation, or 11.9%.

Figure 3. Screen capture of the interface of the ISD Foamy Slag Program

The ISD in Figure 3 also shows an almost ideal situation with the recommended 405kg of MgO added to the
slag (dashed line). The slag will start foaming early in the heat, once the FeO levels exceed 10% and will
continue foaming till around 30%, when the heat is finished. This type of slag will also allow for good foaming
beyond the 30% FeO, till nearly 38% FeO.

ACTUAL EXPERIENCE AT PACIFIC STEEL

Table 1 is a collection of slag samples taken during the "Old Practice" before any changes were made. One
noteworthy feature in this table is the wide range of FeO levels in the slag ranging from 19 to 48% FeO as well
as the variation in the B3 basicity of the slags (1.5 to 3.0)

5
 Table I. Slag analyses of samples taken during the "Old Practice"

CaO MgO B3
Heat # FeO CaO SiO2 TiO2 Al2O3 MgO P2O5 V2O3 MnO Cr2O3 Added Added Ratio
87503 27.38 35.70 13.40 0.56 5.93 8.68 1.01 0.12 5.25 1.36 1200 160 1.85
87513 40.20 27.40 12.30 0.58 5.47 6.70 0.82 0.12 5.33 1.61 1200 160 1.54
87490 28.28 35.10 14.70 0.73 5.14 7.74 1.05 0.19 5.80 1.19 1200 160 1.77
87481 40.76 27.80 12.10 0.48 5.18 6.41 0.72 0.13 5.43 1.25 1200 160 1.61
87319 45.38 30.70 8.18 0.45 3.33 5.88 0.43 0.06 4.69 1.05 1200 160 2.67
87309 38.70 36.10 8.67 0.39 3.25 7.34 0.45 0.07 4.61 1.17 1200 160 3.03
87325 42.30 29.00 9.98 0.44 3.63 5.48 0.47 0.07 5.98 1.12 1200 160 2.13
87333 39.73 27.00 13.00 0.54 4.77 5.82 0.62 0.09 7.34 1.55 1200 160 1.52
87295 42.80 31.60 8.71 0.42 3.63 6.89 0.44 0.06 4.77 1.21 1200 160 2.56
87287 47.44 29.10 8.81 0.38 3.12 6.20 0.41 0.06 4.84 1.16 1200 160 2.44
87741 48.47 22.30 9.00 0.94 3.81 11.10 0.42 0.07 4.26 1.01 1200 160 1.74
87759 27.64 35.40 16.20 1.19 6.54 5.28 0.90 0.14 6.84 1.15 1200 160 1.56
87767 21.86 37.90 19.10 0.78 6.55 5.79 1.44 0.17 6.39 0.88 1200 160 1.48
88658 28.67 37.40 14.30 0.47 4.50 8.38 0.40 0.13 5.59 1.27 1200 160 1.99
88666 19.67 41.50 17.00 0.40 5.33 7.59 0.41 0.10 5.96 1.42 1200 160 1.86
88623 20.18 40.50 14.80 0.51 6.72 9.23 0.53 0.12 6.26 1.45 1200 160 1.88
88640 28.00 39.50 12.30 0.41 5.19 6.70 0.50 0.12 5.63 1.44 1200 160 2.26
88631 21.60 38.70 16.70 0.41 5.91 10.20 0.35 0.10 5.37 1.19 1200 160 1.71
Average 33.84 33.48 12.74 0.56 4.89 7.30 0.63 0.11 5.57 1.25 1.98

The ISD in Figure 4 is based on slags taken during heats made with the old practice, prior to good foaming.
The average chemistry slag input is based on samples taken during 1998 when the practice was to add 1200kg
of lime and 160kg of MgO per heat (Table I). As can be seen in the ISD, the slag crossed the MgO saturation
line around 25% FeO and therefore tended to go liquid during the refining period. Although some foaming
occurred early in the process, it was not an ideal situation. Also, because of the relatively high refractory
consumption in the EAF, a portion of the MgO in the slag was being contributed by the monolithic hearth,
gunning material and refractory brick lining in the furnace.

Figure 4. ISD of the averaged slag composition for the "Old Practice"

6
 INITIAL FOAMY SLAG PRACTICE

After evaluating the slags with the Foamy Slag Program it was clear that the slags were MgO-deficient and it
was decided to be fairly conservative and change the flux practice to add 1400kg of lime and 400kg of MgO per
heat. The slag analyses in Table II are a small example of this initial foaming slag practice. This practice
produced a very good and consistent foaming slag, as shown on the ISD in Figure 5.

Table II. Slag compositions of early trials with 1400 kg lime 400 kg MgO additions

Heat No FeO CaO SiO2 TiO2 Al2O3 MgO P2O5 V2O3 MnO Cr2O3 B3
Ratio
14412 39.70 27.80 6.00 0.99 4.50 11.54 0.23 0.50 4.69 1.01 2.42
14433 30.95 32.53 9.00 1.10 6.70 10.55 0.58 0.53 5.80 1.66 1.94
14593 52.15 22.67 4.70 0.97 3.74 8.93 0.33 0.98 4.80 1.16 2.41
Average 40.93 27.67 6.57 1.02 4.98 10.34 0.38 0.67 5.10 1.28 2.20

Figure 5. ISD of the average slag composition of early trials with 1400 kg lime 400 kg MgO additions

OPTIMIZATION OF FOAMY SLAGS

In July of 2001, it was realized further gains could be made in the efficiency of the EAF by optimization of the
foamy slag practice. It was observed during the process that large volumes of slag were lost over the sill. This
lost slag represented unnecessary energy used to melt it and a lost yield in scrap due to the lost FeO. In order to
decrease the amount of slag in the furnace, the basicity of the slag was decreased by adding less lime, but still
sufficient MgO to ensure MgO saturation. Through trials, it was found that 800 kg of lime produced a volume
of slag that could be retained in the furnace. Through the use of the Foamy Slag model, 300 kg of MgO was
found to be optimal for this charge of lime. While the basicity of the slag of the "Optimized Foamy Practice"
(B3 = 1.6) was lower than the initial trials (B3 = 2.2) and the "Old Practice" (B3 = 2.0), it did not constitute in a
phosphorous problem. For the grades of steel produced, the basicity of the slag was adequate to remove
sufficient phosphorous to be well within the phosphorous specifications of the grades of steel produced.

7
 Table III. Slag compositions representative of the optimized foamy slag practice

H Heat FeO CaO SiO2 TiO2 Al2O3 MgO P2O5 V2O3 MnO Cr2O3 CaO MgO B3 Ratio
Added Added
21222 29.73 32.81 11.63 0.72 6.16 11.88 0.44 0.25 6.54 1.21 800 300 1.77
21246 26.17 32.61 12.68 0.91 7.72 12.76 0.49 0.26 8.88 1.14 800 300 1.53
21251 20.67 33.93 14.79 0.93 6.57 12.49 0.43 0.26 9.23 1.17 800 300 1.52
21296 29.90 29.10 12.98 0.94 7.47 10.72 0.43 0.22 7.00 1.23 800 300 1.36
21357 25.20 34.53 13.23 0.86 7.29 11.08 0.56 0.24 9.12 1.26 800 300 1.62
21638 24.90 32.78 12.67 0.94 8.19 11.73 0.61 0.22 7.20 1.47 800 300 1.50
21654 19.46 35.24 13.54 1.47 7.24 13.86 0.44 0.40 8.10 0.98 800 300 1.58
21716 22.68 35.44 12.90 0.90 7.13 11.93 0.45 0.19 7.26 1.32 800 300 1.69
21738 37.63 28.07 11.25 0.73 4.68 7.17 0.50 0.30 9.15 1.15 800 300 1.68
21759 32.76 28.54 11.50 0.87 5.71 12.00 0.55 0.29 9.20 1.39 800 300 1.58
21750 20.41 33.50 12.74 0.98 7.19 11.00 0.40 0.29 9.07 1.52 800 300 1.60
21779 36.11 27.50 11.07 0.83 4.88 9.04 0.48 0.40 9.20 1.17 800 300 1.64
21793 29.56 32.40 10.97 0.78 4.96 11.83 0.47 0.20 5.85 1.00 800 300 1.94
Average 27.32 32.03 12.46 0.91 6.55 11.35 0.48 0.27 8.14 1.23 1.61

The above table is an example of typical slags run during the optimization period of foaming slag practice. As
can be seen, the level of MgO was decreased during this time from 400kg to 300 kg on average and the CaO
was decreased from 1400 kg to 800 kg on average. This resulted in excellent foaming slags throughout all the
subsequent heats, even though there were variations in scrap composition.

Figure 6 is the ISD plot of the average slag typical for the optimization period of foaming. As can be seen, the
evolution of slag during the heat stays well above the 1% super saturation of MgO and allows for a wide range
of FeO levels. In fact, with this slag, foaming is possible from the beginning till the end of the heat. This
practice was started in July of 2001 and is continued till present.

Figure 6. ISD of the average slag composition of the optimized practice

8
 RESULTS OF THE FOAMY SLAG PRACTICE

EAF Refractory Performance

The following graph (Figure 7) shows the evolution of the performance of the EAF refractory.

EAF Sidewall Campaigns

(date campaign ended)

12/22/2001
2500

2000

06/10/2001
01/21/2001
Number of Heats

1500

09/24/2000
04/16/2000
05/06/1999

07/02/2000
10/10/1999

12/19/1999
07/25/1999
10/25/1997
04/05/1997

09/26/1998
06/28/1997

07/18/1998
01/03/1998

03/07/1998

05/09/1998

1000
08/16/1997

01/07/1999
02/03/1999

500

0
Mar-97

Jun-97

Sep-97

Dec-97

Mar-98

Jun-98

Sep-98

Dec-98

Mar-99

Jun-99

Sep-99

Dec-99

Mar-00

Jun-00

Sep-00

Dec-00

Mar-01

Jun-01

Sep-01

Dec-01
Figure 7. Refractory Performance in the EAF from 1997 to 2001

From the above figure, it is easy to see the increase in the sidewall performance of the EAF. As was stated, the
initial foaming slag practice was started just after mid-year 2000. The first lining after the foaming slag practice
was scheduled for removal just above a typical number of heats at 1046. A very significant percentage of the
original 400mm thick lining was remaining. As the plant personnel became more confident in the performance
of the lining, the total number of heats allowed increased dramatically till the last lining performed 2614 heats.

Not only have the refractory lining performed better, but consumption of monolithics and gunning materials has
also decreased. These improvements are graphically shown in Figure 8. During the time period of 1999 before
slag foaming, the lowest total refractory consumption/cost was 3.59 kg/ton or USD2.40/t. The last campaign
refractory consumption/cost was 2.25 kg/ton or USD1.90/t.

9
 EAF Sidewall Campaign - Material Rate (kgs/mt)

8.67
7
6.39

5.28

5
4.64 4.56

3.95
Rate (kgs/mt)

4
3.59 3.62
3.75
3.01 3.10 2.93
3 2.77
2.84 2.30 2.25
2.01 2.11
1.96 1.87
2
1.47
1.85

0
1999-1 1999-2 1999-3 1999-4 1999-5 2000-1 2000-2 2000-3 2000-4 2001-1 2001-2
Campaign

total maintenance reline tapholes sill

Figure 8. Improvement in the consumption of refractories for the period Jan 1999 through Feb 2001

Cost Benefits of the new foamy practice

The cost benefit of the new foamy slag practice is summarized in Table IV.

Table IV. Cost benefit of the new foamy slag practice (shown in NZ$)

Material "Old Practice" New Practice Change Annual $

Savings
Lime (kg) 1200 800 400 259875
Magnesite (kg) 160 300 140 -184669
Metallic Yield (%) 89 91.9 2.9 1118124
Electrode (kg/tonne) 2.6 2.4 0.2 90720
Electricity (kWh/t) 465 454 11 114345
Refractory Brick (kg/tonne) 3.59 2.25 1.34 151200
Total Savings 1549595

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The plant was skeptical in the early stages of slag foaming as the MgO usage increased, adding extra dollars to
the operating cost. The cost savings are not evident immediately and true results take several months to surface.
Pacific Steel have had an increase of yield by 2.9%, electrode consumption and kWh/tonne reduced.

The overall savings to the plant is in the excess of NZ$1.5 million and as the plant continues to develop and use
the slag models supplied by LWB Refractories, the savings will be far greater. The currently EAF campaign
will way exceed the previous campaign of 2614 heats.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper highlights what can be achieved when applying the thermodynamic and slag engineering principles.
The steelmaker has to have a willingness to try new ideas, which may possibility increase their cost on some
items but the overall cost savings in adopting these principles will clearly be evident in a short period.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Authors are grateful to Pacific Steel for permission to publish this paper. We would especially like to thank
Eugene Pretorius for reviewing the paper.

REFERENCES

1. E.B. Pretorius and R.C. Carlisle, "Foamy slag fundamentals and their practical application to electric
furnace steelmaking," 56 th Electric Furnace Conference, 1998.
2. E.B. Pretorius and R. Marr, "The effect of slag modeling to improve steelmaking processes," 53 rd
Electric Furnace Conference, 1995.
3. E.B. Pretorius and R. Marr, "Computer modeling of Refractory/Slag/Metal interactions," 5 th
International Conference on Molten Slags, Fluxes and Salts. Australia, 1997.

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