METAL REFINING KONVERTERS (Argon Oxygen Decarburization)

Innov Engineering Metal Refining Konverter provides advanced Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) process for production of various grades of quality stainless steels and alloy steels. According to research, 75% of the world’s stainless steels are made through the AOD process. This explains the importance of the process.

AOD is used in production of stainless steel and other high grade alloys such as silicon steels, tool steels, nickel-base alloys and cobalt-base alloys with oxidizable elements such as chromium and aluminum.

The popularity of the process is occasioned by its ability to combine higher metallic yields with lower material costs. It is an economical way of producing stainless steel with a minimum loss of precious elements.

AOD Process

• Scrap or virgin raw materials are melted in an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) or induction furnace.
• The molten metal is then decarburized and refined in an AOD converter to less than 0.05 % carbon.
• The oxygen for decarburization is mixed with inert gas such as argon or nitrogen and injected through submerged tuyeres.

AOD Steps

• Decarburization
• Reduction
• Chemistry and temperature trimming

AOD Benefits

• AOD minimizes unwanted oxidation of precious elements contained in specialty steels, such as chromium
• Accuracy in chemistry control down to 0.01 % carbon and lower
• Rapid desulfurization to less than 0.001 %
• Lead removal to less than 0.001 %
• Cleaner metal coupled with increased productivity

Innov Engineering Customer Benefits

• Reduced process time
• Narrow span for tap-to-tap time
• Lower gas consumption
• Longer lining lifetime
• Less variation in tapping weights
• Reduced lime consumption
• Single operator for calculation, blowing and raw material handling