RH-TOP, Recirculation Degasser with Oxygen Blowing

The application of the conventional RD process is enhanced by the fitting of a water cooled top lance which can blow oxygen onto the circulating liquid steel. This development has a beneficial effect on converter operations.

Advantages:

• All the features of the RD Process.
• Vacuum decarburisation of higher than normal tap carbon content.
• Tap temperature can be lowered due to a temperature gain during the blowing phase in the vacuum vessel.
• Post-combustion of CO to CO₂ in the vacuum vessel giving thermal and environmental benefits.
• No reduction in refractory performance compared with normal RD treatments.
• There are no submerged oxygen nozzles. Hence, there is no requirement for additional inert gas in order to keep lance jets open and the capacity of the vacuum pumping system can be kept on a moderate level. Utility consumption is minimised.
• It is possible to produce stainless steel.
• In the unlikely event of skull formation, there is the possibility to melt out such a build up.
  
• Temperature adjustment by chemical heating using the aluminium and oxygen exothermic reaction.