Effects of Raw Material Contaminants on the Ferrosilicon Melting Process in the Submerged Arc Furnace

Based on the Minimum Gibbs Free Enthalpy algorithm (FEM) and a model of reaction zones located around electrode tips in the submerged arc furnace, an analysis of the raw material chemical composition influence on the ferrosilicon smelting process was carried out. A model of the ferrosilicon process in the submerged arc furnace is a system of two closed isothermal reactors: an upper one with a lower temperature T1, and a lower one with a higher temperature T2. Between the reactors and the environment as well as between the reactors inside the system, a periodical exchange of mass occurs at the moments when the equilibrium state is reached. Based on the model, sets of calculations were performed: for a Fe-Si-O-C system and, subsequently, for a more complex Fe-Si-O-C-Al-Ca-Mg-Ti system. For both systems, the energy and mass balance values were calculated and the effects of raw material contaminants on the efficiency of the ferrosilicon melting process were determined.