Ladle refining furnace (LRF) refers to the equipment that combines the heating and refining function of a steel smelting furnace. It is used for the molten steel inclusion modifications in the primary melting furnaces (electric arc furnace, induction furnace, open hearth furnace, converter), and can adjust the temperature of molten steel, process buffer, and meet the important metallurgical equipment of continuous casting and continuous rolling. Secondary refining treatment is mainly carried out in the ladle furnace.
Main functions of ladle refining furnace:
1. Molten steel heating and heat preservation function. Molten steel obtains new heat energy through arc heating, which can not only make the ladle refining can be supplemented with alloy and adjust the chemical composition, but also can be supplemented with slag, which is convenient for deep desulfurization and deoxidation of molten steel. Moreover, the casting temperature of the liquid steel required by continuous casting is guaranteed, which is beneficial to improve the quality of dry casting billet.
2. Argon stirring function. Argon gas is blown into the molten steel through a breathable brick installed at the bottom of the ladle, and the molten steel obtains a certain stirring function.
3. Vacuum degassing. After the ladle is lifted into the vacuum tank, the vacuum degassing is carried out by steam jet pump. At the same time, argon gas is blown into the bottom of the ladle to stir the liquid steel. The hydrogen content and nitrogen content in the liquid steel can be removed, and the oxygen content and sulfur content can be further reduced, and the liquid steel with high purity and superior performance can be obtained.
The application of ladle refining furnace for the whole enterprise can at least increase the following benefits: accelerate the production rhythm and improve the entire metallurgical production efficiency.