Replacement of fluorspar in the desulfurization of hot metal

For this purpose new mixtures using aluminum dross, ilmenite, sodalite and ulexite were tested, comparing them with a reference mixture containing fluorspar. The impact of these mixtures on the refractories commonly used in hot metal pretreatment was also checked, since this is an important cost parameter for the steel industries. The laboratory tests showed ulexite as a feasible substitute since the lime (84.03%) - ulexite (10.97%) - graphite (5%) mixture presented the highest desulfurization ratio and low refractory wear (less than the standard fluorspar mixture).

The sodalite mixture was the worst by comparison. The ilmenite and aluminum dross mixtures showed similar behavior when compared to the fluorspar mixture.