Control of silicon in hot metal

Presently low silicon hot metal from blast furnace has gained tremendous importance due to more stringent requirements of BOF converter. Superior quality hot metal with low Si and S content is needed for production of quality steels through the LD-CC route. As far as production of low Si hot metal is concerned. it is essential to optimise the key operating parameters viz burden distribution, efficiency of gas utilisation,blowing condition, cohesive zone configuration, slag characteristics etc. The phenomena occurring in the lower part of furnace plays an important role. The present paper summarises the effect of aboveoperating parameters on hot metal silicon and discusses the established equations and graphs obtained by the previous investigators essentially under Indian conditions.