Vacuum lifting deaeration method for steel liquid
The manufacture of steel products usually involves the melting of steel in a liquid form. After a careful selection of raw materials, the steelmaking process starts by heating the raw materials in a furnace and then transferring the molten steel to ladles for further processing. During this process, gases such as hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen dissolve in the molten steel and remain within the liquid. These gases need to be extracted from the liquid before the steel is further processed or used in any application. The process of extracting the gas from molten metals is referred to as de-aeration.
The traditional method to de-aerate molten metal is to use air bubblers. However, this approach is not always an effective way of removing the dissolved gases from the molten steel. As the bubbling process usually creates a large foam covering the surface, the rate of gas removal slows down significantly and the process can take a long time. Furthermore, this method tends to be inefficient as much heat is lost during the bubbling process.
Vacuum lifting de-aerate is a modern alternative to the traditional bubbling process. In this method, molten steel is first heated in an induction furnace and then poured into ladles. Next, the ladle is fitted with a furnace shell and a vacuum pump is attached. At this point, the vacuum pump is turned on and the vacuum pressure is slowly increased. The vacuum pressure lifts the molten steel and practically eliminates the dissolved gases. During the process, the surface area of the molten steel increases rapidly and this causes a rapid absorption of heat, which assists in the de-aerate process.
The major advantages of the vacuum lifting de-aerate method include a short de-aerate time; reduced hydrocarbons in the molten steel; and high efficiency. Since the process is automated, it also ensures safety in the workplace. The increased rate of gas removal decreases the amount of time needed to pour and form the molten steel into different shapes. Furthermore, the efficiency of the entire process is improved due to the elimination of additional preparatory steps such as tempering.
One of the drawbacks of this method is that it requires the use of expensive equipment. While the cost of these machines may be high, the efficiency and safety benefits can make it a worthwhile investment. Additionally, the process produces a large amount of heat, which needs to be carefully managed in order to avoid damage to the molten steel.
In conclusion, the vacuum lifting de-aerate method is an effective way of extracting gases from molten steel, and it has numerous advantages over traditional methods. With efficient equipment, it can greatly improve the rate of gas extraction as well as the safety of the work place. Its downside is primarily related to the cost of the machines needed to implement the method.
