Sustainable slag fluxing in the AOD converter

The HASAOD project aims at identifying suitable replacement for fluorspar, a slag fluxing agent used in the argon-oxygen-decarburization (AOD) process during stainless steel production. Fluorspar (CaF₂) is categorized as a critical raw material by the European Union and faces long-term supply risks and quality deterioration. Currently, all fluorspar consumed in Sweden relies on import, and a majority fraction (57%) comes from China. The largest use of fluorspar in Sweden is in stainless steel production, and more specifically, in the AOD process. The purpose of adding fluorspar is to lower the melting point of the slag to promote the formation of a highly fluid slag to achieve effective desulfurization of the steel. This project aims at identifying suitable candidates for fluorspar through performing thermodynamic calculations, slag characterization (optical dilatometer, XRD), and industrial AOD trials. The final goal is to compile a list of promising materials with reasonable price and availability that can be applied for the upcoming full-scale tests.

Funding Agency

The research is conducted under the project Sustainable slag fluxing in the AOD converter (HASAOD), 2024-02674.

The authors would like to express gratitude to the financial support from Vinnova (Sweden’s Innovation Agency), Swedish Energy Agency, and Formas under the scope of Impact Innovation Program - Metals and Minerals.

Beginning and End Dates

October 2024-June 2025

Contacts

Other information

More information is available on the project website  (https://www.vinnova.se/en/p/sustainable-slag-fluxing-in-aod-process-hasaod/, link to external website).