The manufacture of steel by blowing oxygen into it is a relatively modern art, developed in the mid-2000s. The process is known as oxygen blowing steel making or oxygen ladle furnace steelmaking and consists of introducing large amounts of high pressure oxygen into molten steel. The oxygen oxidizes impurities in the steel, reducing its sulfur, phosphorus, and other nonmetallic impurities. This oxidation also creates a more homogeneous and microstructurally uniform material, reducing brittleness and improving other properties.
One major benefit of oxygen blowing steelmaking is that it allows for the production of much higher grades of steel with fewer steps, leading to a quicker production time, lower energy costs, and improved quality. In the traditional open hearth process, the furnace temperature needed to be lowered several times, increasing production time and cost. In contrast, the oxygen ladle furnace process is completed in only one step.
Another significant benefit of using oxygen blowing steelmaking is that it greatly reduces the amount of nonmetallic residue and other wastes from the steelmaking process. The oxidation process does not require additional agents to remove impurities; instead, the oxygen continuously combines with carbon, sulfur, and other metallic impurities, creating carbon monoxide and dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and other oxides. By removing the sources of contamination, the steel-making process becomes much cleaner and the final product is much purer.
Finally, although oxygen blowing steelmaking requires some additional equipment (such as a ladle furnace, which introduces and removes the oxygen), the process is relatively simple and can be incorporated into existing steel-making plants. Additionally, oxygen blowing steelmaking is not as energy intensive as traditional open-hearth processes, and therefore requires less energy than more traditional means of producing steel.
In conclusion, oxygen ladle furnace steelmaking is a valuable and beneficial process for making high-grade steel. It is faster, cleaner, and more efficient than traditional open-hearth steelmaking, and has several advantages compared to other methods of steel production. This modern technology has revolutionized the steel industry and is enabling companies to make better, faster, and cheaper steel products.
