Recycling MgO-C Refractory in the EAF of IMEXSA

R. G. Lule, A.N.Conejo, F. Lopz and R. Rodriguez

Process Engineering Department Steelmaking Shop

ruben.lule@mittalsteel.com

Head of the refractories department

Lzaro Crdenas City, Mxico. Tel: + (753) 53 32527

Professor. Metallurgy Department. Morelia Technological Institute

Morelia, Mxico. Tel + (443) 3125449 ext 298
aconejo@itmorelia.edu.mx
Key words: Refractory recycling, MgO saturation limits, foaming

ABSTRACT
MgO-C refractory recycling from electric arc furnaces and ladle furnaces has been carried out during the melting of DRI.
Metallurgical trials to define the effects of refractory recycling on energy consumption, melting time, flux consumption and refractory
consumption are reported in this work. The method of preparation as well as the method of injection is also included in this study.
Based on the current results, the practice of recycling spent refractory is highly recommended. Visual inspection indicates the potential
benefits in slag foaming since the beginning of the heat which allows the use of full power transformer and in turn leading to faster
melting rates.
INTRODUCTION
Ispat Mexicana (IMEXSA) produced 4.03 million tons of steel in 2004. The steel shop has four-Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) with a
nominal capacity of 220 tons of liquid steel and two-Ladle Metallurgy Facilities (LMF). Almost 100% of the refractory is made of
MgO-C. The current life of the refractory lining for EAFs is approximately 480 heats with partial patching in hot spots 1 & 2 and
breast, and of 165 heats for ladles, with partial patching at 80 heats in the slag line and bottom.
Due to new refractory campaigns, the steelshop generates more than 5000 tons/year of spent refractor (1200 and 3800 tons/year from
furnaces and ladles, respectively). The previous amount corresponds to approximately 420 ton/month of spent refractory which can be
increased up to 500 ton/month if the quality of DRI decreases with a corresponding decrease in refractory life.
The purpose of this work is to describe the benefits obtained with the recycling of spent refractory back into the EAFs, not only
economical and environmental but also the resulting improved slag foaming properties and how this in turn can affect the
consumption of electrical energy as well as flux and refractory consumption.
BENEFITS OF RECYCLING MGO-C REFRACTORY
The practice of recycling spent refractories has been carried out in the past for a long time in many steel plants, this practice, however,
has been made, in general, on empirical grounds. Today, with the availability of a large amount of information regarding to the
solubility of MgO in slags, slag foaming technology and the acquisition of data through computers, it is possible to contribute with a
more detailed analysis. One initial purpose in recycling MgO-C spent refractory is to decrease the amount of fluxes and improve the
foaming conditions.
MgO saturation limits:
MgO refractories are severely attacked by slags non-saturated in MgO. The MgO saturation limit is related to the concentration of
other oxide components and the process temperature. The saturation limit is specific for each slag, changes with slag composition and
temperature, as follows.

Decreases as the basicity of the slag increases.

Decreases as the FeO concentration of the slag increases.

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Decreases as the Al2O3 concentration of the slag increases (up to 25% at 1600C).
Increases as the SiO2 concentration of the slag increases.
Increases as the temperature of the slag increases.

The saturation limits for the CaO-SiO2-FeO-(MgO) system is shown in Figure 1. It is clear from this figure how the saturation limit is
decreased when FeO is increased. The effect of basicity and temperature is shown in Figure 2. As the binary basicity ratio is
increased, the saturation limit decreases but most importantly, if the basicity is lower than 2, then, a decrease in basicity increases the
saturation limit to large values as compared when the basicity is above 2. In order to keep the saturation limit as low as possible a
basicity higher than 2 is always recommended.

Figure 1. Saturation limits of MgO in the CaO-SiO2-FeO

system. After Chipman.

Figure 2. Effect of basicity and temperature

on MgO saturation limits. After Ban Ya.

Pretorius1) developed new maps to represent the saturation limits of MgO for CaO-SiO2-FeO-MgO-Al2O3 slags, as a function of MgO
and FeO content at a constant basicity and temperature, called Isothermal Saturation (Solubility) Diagrams (ISD).
In this type of diagrams the basicity index is defined as follows.

B3 =

CaO
SiO 2 + Al2 O3

Figure 3 shows the MgO saturation boundaries as a function of iron oxide content for a B3 ratio of 1.5. In this diagram C2S
corresponds to calcium di-silicate and MW to magnesio wstite.The shaded region represents the ideal region recommended to
saturate the slag in MgO with the largest possible metallic yield and obtain a small concentration of undissolved particles to increase
the viscosity of slags. Below the saturation line the slags present low viscosities. Figure 4 represents the case for a B3 ratio of 2.0. The
increase in basicity decreases the MgO saturation limit as indicated by the values reported in Table 1.
Table 1. MgO saturation limit as a function of FeO and basicity
B3 = 1.5
B3 = 2
30% FeO
11.6
8.9
40% FeO
12.0
8.3

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18
16
ideal region

14
MW +
C2S+ Liq

12
MgO, wt%

B3 = 1.5
1600C

MW + Liq

MgO satu
ration lin
e

10

Poor foaming ("watery" slags)

8
6
C2S+ Liq

Liquid

2
0
0

10

15

20

25
30
FeO, wt%

35

40

45

50

55

Figure 3. MgO saturation limits for a B3 ratio of 1.5 and 1600C

18
B3 = 2
1600C

16
14

MW + Liq

MgO, wt%

12
10
MW +C2S+ Liq

MgO satu
ration line

Poor foaming ("watery" slags)

6
4

C2S+ Liq
Liquid

2
0
0

10

15

20

25
30
FeO, wt%

35

40

45

50

55

Figure 4. MgO saturation limits for a B3 ratio of 2.0 and 1600C

Slag foaming: Foaming is a fundamental technique to improve heat transfer and get faster rates of melting. A fundamental model
applied for industrial conditions has been reported elsewhere2). This kinetic model defines a dynamic foaming index based on slag
properties and the generation rate of CO. The final effect of improving foaming results in a decrease in energy consumption.
One requisite in slag properties is a good viscosity. By injecting particles of spent refractory into the slag the effective viscosity is
increased, according with the following equation.

e =

(1 k)2.5

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where: represents the fraction of precipitated solid phases and k is a constant, which, according to Roscoes formula is equal to 0.35
and according to the modified Einsteins equation is equal to 1.
One reason to select the ideal region in Figure 3 is based on the effect of second phase particles on slag viscosity. It is convenient to
operate slightly above the saturation line for MgO.
Refractory consumption: Because the injection of MgO-C spent refractory will increase the concentration of MgO and the gradient to
reach the saturation limit can be decreases or even eliminated, the corrosiveness of slag towards the refractory can be drastically
reduced and a longer life of the refractory can be expected.
Practice to increase MgO without increasing the amount of fluxes: There are two ways to increase the concentration of MgO in the
slag, one way consists of increasing the amount of dolomitic lime, however, in this way the larger amount of fluxes will increase both
costs and electrical energy, the second way is to decrease the concentration of FeO while keeping a good basicity. This task can be
accomplished by a proper technique of oxygen injection aiming at low levels of FeO, in the order of 30%.
EXPERIMENTAL WORK
The steel shop is divided in two modules. One module corresponds to EAFs # 3 and # 4. Both furnaces are supplied with the same
raw materials. EAF # 3 was selected to carry out the evaluation of recycling spent refractory and then compare the results with EAF #
4 which is working under normal conditions.
Selection, crushing and packing:
Most of the spent refractory is MgO-C with the exception of the bottom of the ladles which is made of Al2O3-C. This refractory must
be separated but is not easy to distinguish from MgO-C. Three features assist to separate this material; it has a lower density, grayish
color and is covered with a rust due to oxidation. The main reason to separate the alumina is the low basicity of EAF slags and with an
addition of this oxide the basicity can be lowered even more.
The spent refractory is classified by size, if the size is larger than 8-9 inches is re-used in the free-board of the teeming ladles. The rest
is crushed.
Crushing is an important operation to achieve an efficient recycling process. The particle size after crushing should be less than 3
mm3). This particle size is recommended in order to complete its melting. There are no significant problems associated with losses by
the fume extraction system because charging is conducted in the same stream as for DRI, thus, DRI forces the refractory to penetrate
into the slag.
After crushing the material, it is packed in jumbo bags of 2 ton. and then transported to the handling materials system. The material is
discharged in a bin, through a belt conveyor system. From the bin is discharged continuously into the EAF.
Table 1 shows the chemical composition of both new and spent MgO-C refractory. It is reported a MgO content in the order of 75%.

New
used

Table 1. Composition of magnesia-carbon refractories

%MgO
%CaO
%SiO2
%Al2O3 %Fe2O3
90.7
1.70
0.68
0.78
0.68
74.21
2.83
1.27
1.61
0.45

%C
18.21
17.20

Injection flowrate:
The spent refractory was discharged continuously together with the addition of DRI, coke and lime at the beginning of the heat with a
feeding rate of 150 kg/min. The lowest feeding rate capacity is 100 kg/min.
The maximum amount of spent refractory tested in this work was 1 ton per heat.
Trials: Three types of trials were carried out, from small scale to large scale to full scale trials. The small scale trials consisted of a
preliminary work with 10 heats to define the practice of addition of spent refractory and get a first estimation of the general response.
The second set of trials was conducted with 70 heats and the final set of trials consisted of regular additions during three months in
one furnace.
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
Current levels of MgO in the slag: The current practice of flux additions considers approximately 35% metallurgical lime and 65%
dolomitic lime. The current specific consumption is shown in Figure 5. On average the amount of fluxes added to the furnace is 12
ton/heat, the MgO in the slag contains on average 8.5 1.0%. The binary basicity ratio (B2) is 1.6 to 1.8 and a B3 ratio of 1.3. Based
on a mass balance4), the amount of fluxes required to saturate the slag with 14% MgO, assuming a FeO content of 40%, is in the order
of 20 tons per heat. This amount is not recommended because of its negative impact on both energy consumption and melting time.

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The acid components in the ores employed to produce DRI contains on average 2.7% and 3.1% for the HYL and MIDREX processes,
respectively. The larger the amount of acid components will result in lower basicities and then more MgO needed to saturate the slag.
Previous to 1992, IMEXSA was working with an erroneous practice5). Metallurgical lime was the only one fluxing agent. This
practice provided a maximum concentration of 4% MgO, this concentration is far below the MgO saturation limit and thus an
estimated refractory consumption of 6-12 kg/ton was reported. Ever since, a mixture of dolomitic and metallurgical lime has been
employed to guarantee, both, basicity and MgO.
14

MgO, wt%

12

10

6
October 2004
EAF 1,2,4
EAF 3

4
4

12
16
Fluxes, ton/heat

20

24

Figure 5. Effect of flux addition practice on MgO in the slag

Small scale trials: 10 heats were analyzed, in this set of heats the injection flowrate and amount of spent refractory was defined. Slag
sampling was carried out at 70, 160 and 220 ton. The average composition of fluxes and DRI supplied is shown in Tables 2 and 3. An
average of 31% MgO was reported for dolomitic lime, this is, roughly, 50% less than the content in the spent MgO-C refractory. A
comparison in consumption factors between EAF # 3 and the rest of the furnaces is given in Table 4.
Table 2. Chemical composition of fluxes employed during the small scale trials
%MgO
%CaO
%SiO2
%R2O3
%LOI
Metallurgical lime
3.30
86.1
1.68
1.27
7.65
Dolomitic lime
31.16
54.39
1.02
1.11
12.32
Table 3. Average chemical composition of DRI employed during the small scale trials
% Fet
% Fe
% Met
%C
%S
Midrex
90.3
82.0
90.8
1.97
0.0013
HyLIII
90.4
83.5
92.3
2.16
0.0030
Table 4. Comparison of consumption factors
Concept
Unit
Average
Average
EAF # 3
EAF # 1,2,4
DRI
Ton
221.2
226.1
Scrap
Ton
50.3
17.4
O2
Nm3
4621
4246
Dolomitic Lime
ton
6.870
7.800
Metallurgical Lime
ton
4.700
3.800
Total fluxes
ton
11.570
11.600
Coke
Kg
530
600
Graphite
Kg
263
421.8

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Refractory MgO-C
Energy
Power On
ton/Heat

Kg
kwh/ton
minutes
Ton

1000
592.3
56.9
207.5

0
613.2
59.4
204.7

The previous table indicates a lower consumption of electrical energy in EAF # 3 as compared to the other furnaces, in the order of 20
kwh/ton and faster melting times. The heat weight is taken based on the turrets weight from continuous casting.
It was also observed that the spent MgO-C refractory increased the viscosity of the slag, promoting a creamy slag instead of a
watery slag in the major part of the melting step. The spent refractory is added in the first 7 minutes of the heat. The slag generated,
with a higher viscosity, is more adequate to promote slag foaming. In order to take full advantage of the potential of this type of slag
the breast of the slag door was increased, thus, retaining the slag inside of the furnace for a longer period of time. The early injection
would result in a progressive decrease in MgO throughout the heat. Table 5 shows some results of the change in MgO throughout the
heat. It can be observed a decrease of MgO content in some heats but in others the MgO content remains almost constant, which is an
indication that the early addition is convenient to complete the melting of the refractory particles and also to keep a high level of MgO
throughout the heat. An additional advantage of the early addition is the dilution effect over the highly oxidized slag that remains from
the previous heat, which in the conventional case it would take longer time to get conditions for foaming. With the addition of
refractory particles foaming is achieved immediately at the beginning of the heat. The arc distortion value is lower than 8. This in turn
allows operating almost immediately to full transformer capacity (133 MW) and remain so throughout the heat, which results in faster
melting times.
Table 5. Sampling results of %MgO through the heat
at 100 ton
150 ton
200 ton
A
9.08
9.37
9.38
B
10.33
8.8
C
8.47
8.81
8.61
D
10.38
9.03
8.03
E
9.79
9.38
8.43
F
10.40
10.14
The average ternary basicity (B3) was 1.13. The isothermal saturation diagram shown in Figure 6 displays results for ternary basicities
from 0-1.625, this figure compares the MgO content, reported at 100 ton, between EAF # 3 and the others. It can be seen a larger
content of MgO for the heats of EAF # 3, closer to the MgO saturation values. On average the MgO content is 1.5% higher in EAF #3.
18
0 <B3 1.625

16
MW + Liq

14
MW +
C2S+ Liq

MgO, wt%

12

MgO sa
turation
line

10
8
6
4

C2S+ Liq

Liquid

2
recycling MgO
std practice

0
0

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
FeO, wt%

Figure 6. Isothermal stability diagram showing MgO levels for the small scale trials
Large scale trials: 70 heats in EAF # 3 were compared with heats processed en EAF # 4. Slag samples were taken at 100 tons. Table 6
compares the average results from EAFs # 3 and 4. Figure 7 compares the composition of slags in both cases.

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Table 6. Results from second trials (70 heats)

EAF # 3
EAF # 4
CaO
23.4 %
22.9
SiO2
15.4 %
15.2
MgO
9.5%
7.6
FeO
36.5 %
38.5
Al2O3
5.3 %
4.7
Energy, kwh/ton
586.9
613.6
Dolomitic lime (ton(heat)
7
7.7
Metallurgical lime (ton/heat)
4.2
4.8
Total fluxes (ton/heat)
11.2
12.5
Melting time
59
61.9

Difference
+ 2.1
26.7
1.3
2.9

18
0.85 <B3 1.53

16
MW + Liq

14
MW +
C2S+ Liq

MgO, wt%

12

MgO sa
tura

10

tion lin
e

8
6
4

C2S+ Liq

Liquid

2
recycling MgO
std practice

0
0

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
FeO, wt%

Figure 7. Isothermal stability diagram showing MgO levels for the second set of trials
From the previous results it can be observed benefits in lower energy consumption, a larger concentration of MgO and lower flux
consumption in the furnace using recycled refractory. The slag s from EAF # 3 are closer to the saturation limit.
Full scale trials
The practice of recycling spent refractory has been implemented as a routine practice in EAF #3 since October 2004. Table 7
compares the average results from EAFs # 3 and # 4 during October 2004.
Table 7. Results from full scale trials (October 2004)
EAF # 3
EAF # 4
MgO
9.1%
8.3
Energy, kwh/ton
578.9
594.6
Total fluxes (ton/heat)
11.3
12.60
Melting time (min/heat)
60
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Difference
+ 0.8
15.7
1.3
-3

611

38.4%

40

40

35

37.7%

35

30

EAF # 3
Oct 2004

26.6%

30

25

25

20

20
15.4%

15
10

EAF # 4
Oct 2004

28.8%

15.0%

15
10

9.1%
5.7%

8.3%
5.4%

5
1.74

FeO

CaO

SiO2

MgO

Al2O3

V2

1.97

FeO

CaO

SiO2

MgO

Al2O3

V2

Figure 8. Comparison of the average chemical composition of slags from EAF # 3 and # 4
18

18
0.95 <B3 1.73

16
MW + Liq

MW + Liq

14

14
MgO sa
tura

MW +
C2S+ Liq

12
tion lin
e

10
8
6

MgO, wt%

MW +
C2S+ Liq

12
MgO, wt%

0.95 <B3 1.73

16

10

tion lin
e

8
6

C2S+ Liq

Liquid

C2S+ Liq

Liquid

2
recycling MgO (EAF 3)

std practice (EAF 1,2,4)

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
FeO, wt%

Figure 9. Isothermal stability diagram showing

MgO levels, employing spent refractory

612

MgO sa
tura

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
FeO, wt%

Figure 10. Isothermal stability diagram showing

MgO levels in the conventional practice

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15
14

(MgO), wt%

13
12
11
10
9
(MgOsat, wt% at 1600C)

8
7
6
5
1

1.5

2
2.5
B3 (CaO/SiO2 +Al2O3 )

Figure 11. Relationship between slag basicity (B3) and MgO in the slag
The most important feature in this figure is the large increase in MgO solubility for slags with basicity levels less than 2.
Due to the large availability of data, several correlations were made between slag basicity and energy consumption at different ranges
of FeO. Aminorroaya6) reported an optimum basicity range in terms of energy consumption, however the correlation coefficient for
several correlations was 0, therefore, this relationship couldnt be validated in the present work.
Refractory consumption
The last three campaigns in the period from November to December were compared. The results are presented in Figures 12-13.
Figure 12 shows the number of heats in the last three campaigns by furnace. It is clearly seen a greater refractory life for EAF # 3, this
in turn is reported in terms of refractory costs by campaign in Figure 13. The lowest refractory cost is for EAF # 3.
Surprisingly, the longer life in furnace # 3 is achieved even though it supplies steel to the RH unit, which requires a large overheating
and tapping temperatures in the order of 1700-1750C.
The shorter life reported in EAF # 4 was due to the process of implementation of a new system for oxygen injection (jet box) and
adjustments in process variables such as the injection angle.
529

550
489

500

508

507
474

480

521

480

427

450
Heats 400
344

350

317

318

300
250
Eaf#1

Eaf#2

Eaf#3

Eaf#4

Figure 12. Refractory life per furnace

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1.167
1.200
1.100

1.000

1.007

1.000
0.900
0.800

0.590

Usd/Tls
0.700
0.600
0.500
0.400
0.300
Eaf#1

Eaf#2

Eaf#3

Eaf#4

Figure 13. Average refractory cost in three campaigns

Economic analysis: A comparison of average performance between EAF # 3 and EAF # 4 is shown in Table 8 for three months of
continuous operation with the new practice EAF #3. The data included in the table corresponds to the difference in results in EAF # 3
with respect to EAF # 4. The average results are expressed as savings, considering the unit costs reported in Table 9. The savings
originated from refractory consumption were taken directly from the information provided in Figure 13. Net savings consider the cost
of crushing the refractory, this cost is 26 USD/ton refractory or 0.12 USD/ton steel, considering a heat size of 210 tons and an addition
of 1 ton refractory/heat. The final result yields an estimated amount of savings of 1.25 USD/ton. Considering an average of 400
heats/month, the final saving are 105,000 USD/month furnace.
Table 8. Furnace comparison with and without recycling refractory
1
2
3
avg
Month
MgO Saturation limit
MgO
+ 0.80
+ 0.83
+0.59
+ 0.74
Energy consumption
kwh/ton
15.7
11.19
11.01
12.62
Flux consumption
ton/heat
1.3
1.45
1.02
1.25
Melting time (p-on)
min/heat
3
2.51
2.97
2.82
Table 9. Savings resulting with the use of recycling spent refractory
Unit cost
USD/ton furnace
Electrical energy
12.62
0.042078 USD/kwh
0.53
Fluxes
1.25
64.5 USD/ton
0.38
Refractory savings

0.465 USD/ton
0.465
Total
1.25
Recycling more than 1 ton per heat is possible but the savings in energy consumption could revert due to more energy required to melt
the excess refractory, unless the quality of the metallic charge lets an increase in the volume of oxygen injected, thus, supplying
additional chemical energy to melt the spent refractory. There are even cases where the quality of DRI does not allow to melt 1
ton/heat but in general this is not the case.
CONCLUSION
Refractory recycling has a positive impact on several processing variables in steelmaking. According with this investigation, recycling
1 ton/heat at the beginning of the process leads to improve the slag foaming properties, resulting in a decrease in the consumption of
electrical energy, longer refractory life due to reach a MgO concentration closer to the saturation limit, additionally, it also decreases
both the consumption of fluxes and melting time.
The economic benefit of recycling 1 ton/heat was estimated to be about 1.26 million USD/year per furnace.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors acknowledge the support of the company to carry out this work as well as permission to publish it, in particular to Mr.
Vijay Bhatnagar, CEO, and Mr. Raul Torres, Director of steelmaking and continuous casting.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

E.Pretorious. R.C.Carlisle; Foamy Slag Fundamentals and their Practical Application to the EAF Steelmaking 1998 EAF
Conference, ISS, pages 275-291.
A. N. Conejo, R. Morales and H. Rodrguez, Mathematical modeling of the EAF process using direct reduced iron, 59th
Electric Arc Furnace Conference, ISS, November 2001, Phoenix, AZ, USA, pp. 797-810
J.P.Bennet, H.S.Kwong,.R.Krabbe, C.Karr and .E.Wilson; Spent Refractory as Slag Conditioning Additive in the EAF, 2000
EAF Conference, pages 379-390.
M. Lowry, Mittal Steel-East Chicago, Internal report, 2004.
A. Conejo and S. Aguilar; Engineering of EAF slags, 1992 EAF proceedings, Atlanta, USA, p. 207.
S. Aminorroaya and H. Edris; The effect of foamy slag in the electric arc furnaces on energy consumption, European Electric
conference, Venice Italy, 2003

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