Investigations on the Reduction of Chromite Ores at Low Temperatures

Ferro-chrome and charge chrome are produced in the submerged-arc furnace (SAF). Carbon is the reducing agent employed to reduce the oxides of chromium and iron. The heat required for the reduction reaction is supplied through electrical energy. Increasing cost of electrical power has led to efforts to reduce the oxide outside the SAF using cheaper sources of heat such as fossil fuels. Carbon is still used as the reducing agent. The 'pre-reduced' ore is charged into the SAF to produce ferro chrome.