Enhancement of Slag Foaming in Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking through Spent Tire Utilization and Basicity Control

Gihyun Kim; Donghyeok Lim; Heung-Ju Cha; Seungwook Lee

doi:10.3740/MRSK.2025.35.12.603

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2025 Vol.35, Issue 12 Preview Page Next Page

Research Paper

Enhancement of Slag Foaming in Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking through Spent Tire Utilization and Basicity Control 폐타이어 활용과 염기도 제어를 통한 전기로 제강 슬래그 포밍 특성 최적화

27 December 2025. pp. 603-612

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Abstract

Electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking is increasingly adopting sustainable carbon sources to improve slag foaming and reduce energy consumption. Among them, spent tire-derived carbon represents a viable alternative to coal, offering high volatile and carbon contents. However, its elevated sulfur level and modified slag chemistry can markedly affect foaming stability and desulfurization. This study elucidates the interactive effects of spent tire substitution (0-30 wt%) and slag basicity (CaO/SiO₂ = 1.5-2.4) on foaming dynamics, bubble evolution, and sulfur behavior at 1,600 °C. Real-time imaging and quantitative analyses demonstrated that moderate substitution (10-20 wt%) enhanced initial foaming due to volatile-induced gas release, whereas excessive addition (30 wt%) caused unstable coalescence and premature collapse from sulfur-driven surface tension reduction. Lower basicity limited early foaming but improved long-term stability via increased viscosity, while higher basicity promoted rapid collapse and reduced sulfur retention. The optimal condition (CaO/SiO₂ = 2.0) maintained stable foaming for over 40 min, achieving superior sulfur capture (about 24 %) and minimal refractory attack. Overall, these findings reveal the mechanistic coupling between carbon source, basicity, and interfacial properties, offering practical guidance for sustainable slag design and efficient sulfur control in EAF operations employing waste-derived carbonaceous materials.

Keywords

electric arc furnace (EAF)

slag foaming

spent tire

basicity

sulfur

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Information

Publisher :Materials Research Society of Korea
Publisher(Ko) :한국재료학회
Journal Title :Korean Journal of Materials Research
Journal Title(Ko) :한국재료학회지
Volume : 35
No :12
Pages :603-612
Received Date : 2025-10-29
Revised Date : 2025-11-27
Accepted Date : 2025-11-27
DOI :https://doi.org/10.3740/MRSK.2025.35.12.603

Korean Journal of Materials Research ISSN:1225-0562(Print) 2287-7258(Online) 한국재료학회지

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