Ferrosilicon is typically produced in electric arc furnaces (EAFs) using quartz, coke, iron scrap, and a source of silicon, such as silica or silicon carbide. The process involves the following steps:
- Charging the furnace: The raw materials are charged into the EAF, starting with a base layer of coke, followed by a layer of quartz, then iron scrap, and finally the source of silicon.
- Melting the charge: The EAF is energized with electricity, which generates an electric arc between the graphite electrodes and the charge, causing it to melt.
- Refining the melt: As the materials melt, impurities rise to the surface and are removed through slagging. The slag is a by-product of the process and can be sold for use in other applications.
- Adjusting the chemistry: Depending on the desired final product, the composition of the melt may need to be adjusted by adding more of one or more of the raw materials.
- Tapping the furnace: Once the desired chemistry and temperature are achieved, the furnace is tilted and the molten ferrosilicon is tapped out into ladles or molds.
- Cooling and sizing: The ferrosilicon is then cooled and broken into pieces of the desired size, which can range from fines to large chunks, depending on the intended use.
Overall, the EAF process for ferrosilicon production is a relatively efficient and cost-effective method that can produce large quantities of the material for use in various industries.
This furnace also can be used for producing Ferrosilicon, Silicon iron, Silicoferrite, Ferrosilicium, Si-Al-Calcium Barium Ferroalloy, Silicon-Aluminium-Calcium-Barium-Ferrous alloy, Ferromanganese, Manganeisen, Manganese iron, Ferrochrome, Ferrochromium, low carbon Ferro-chromium and Ferro magnesium.