Use of a plasma reactor for smelting reduction studies

Abstract

Generally silicon carbide resistance furnace or induction melting furnace is employed for study of kinetics of reduction of FeO containing slags and their foaming behaviour. Some investigations reported in the literature used Tammann furnace. This paper describes some of the studies carried out using a plasma reactor which brings some unique features. The particle feed can be fine and high temperatures obtained easily give rise to high throughput. There is also operational flexibility. There are. however, some problems also and these are critically discussed. It is shown that even though there are some uncertainties as regards the experimental conditions, it is possible to employ the plasma reactor successfully in studies on reaction kinetics and foaming behaviour.