Smelting Technologies for Ferrochromium Production - Recent Trends

The conventional process for producing high carbon ferrochromium by smelting chromite ore in a submerged arc furnace is reviewed and its limitations highlighted with regard to (a) product quality through impurity removal, and (b) high power consumption for a given raw materials
supply. The trends towards (i) utilization of medium grade ore fines by agglomeration, and (ii) pre-reduction of chromite ore prior to arc smelting are examined in terms of their effectiveness in accomplishing substantial
savings in power consumption. A technoeconomic evaluation of the conventional smelting practice in the Indian context makes obvious the need for adopting improved technologies for better cost-competitiveness
and survival in this era of economic liberalization.