Dolomite as a flux for High-Alumina Blast Furnace Slags

BLAST FURNACE operators at Jamshedpur have to face a peculiar problem arising out of the high concentration of it alumina in the slag. The normal analyses are 37.3-37.8% CaO, 3.4-3.9% MgO,30.4-31.5% SiO2, 26.2-27.0% Al2O3, 0.69-0.78% FeO and 0.69-0.82% S. The actual level, i.e. 26 to 28% is much higher than that common elsewhere and brings into force a series of adverse effects. Briefly, these consist of the greater viscosity of the alumina slags, greater tendency towards silicon reduction, and less efficient desulphurisation. As a result, it becomes rather difficult consistently to produce low-sulphur hot metal without exceeding the silicon level normally specified for basic iron.