현재 전기로(EAF) 제강 공정에서는 내화재 보호 및 탈황능 개선을 위해 MgO 함유 Flux인 경소돌로마이트를 사용하고 있으며, 탈산 효과와 동시에 Slag foaming을 통한 전력에너지를 저감시키기 위해 가탄제를 투입하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 상기 효과들을 경제적으로 달성하기 위해 폐 MgO-C계 내화재를 사용하고자 한다. 폐 MgO-C계 내화재는 현재 대부분 재활용되지 못하고 폐기되고 있는 실정이지만 다량의 MgO와 흑연 성분을 함유하고 있어 제강용 Flux로서의 효용가치가 입증되면 대량 재활용이 가능할 것으로 기대된다. 본 실험에서는상용 EAF slag 조성을 토대로 Target 조성 범위를 설정하였다. Target EAF slag가 원만히 형성될 수 있도록 하기 위해 Flux와 함께 투입될Pre-melt base slag를 제조하였다. Pre-melt base slag는 SiO2, Al2O3, FeO를 혼합하여 알루미나 도가니에 장입 후 1450℃에서 1시간 이상가열하여 제조하였다. 이후 제조된 Pre-melt base slag에 혼합 Flux #2(경소돌로마이트+폐 MgO-C계 내화재+석회석)을 가하여 용융반응시험을 수행하고 그 결과를 기존 제강 Flux에 해당하는 혼합 Flux #1(경소돌로마이트+석회석) 경우와 비교 평가하여 그 대체 가능성을 평가하였다. 신뢰성있는 평가를 도출하기 위해 XRD, XRF 및 Slag foam height, Slag basicity, 철 회수 등의 평가를 종합하였다.

In the steelmaking process using an electric arc furnace (EAF), light-burnt dolomite, which is a flux containing MgO, is used to protect refractory materials and improve desulfurization ability. Furthermore, a recarburizing agent is added to reduce energy consumption via slag foaming and to induce the deoxidation effect. Herein, a waste MgO-C based refractory material was used to achieve the aforementioned effects economically. The waste MgO-C refractory materials contain a significant amount of MgO and graphite components; however, most of these materials are currently discarded instead of being recycled. The mass recycling of waste MgO-C refractory materials would be achievable if their applicability as a flux for steelmaking is proven. Therefore, experiments were performed using a target composition range similar to the commercial EAF slag composition. A pre-melted base slag was prepared by mixing SiO2, Al2O3, and FeO in an alumina crucible and heating at 1450°C for 1 h or more. Subsequently, a mixed flux #2 (a mixture of light-burnt dolomite, waste MgO-C based refractory material, and limestone) was added to the prepared pre-melted base slag and a melting reaction test was performed. Injecting the pre-melted base slag with the flux facilitates the formation of the target EAF slag. These results were compared with that of mixed flux #1 (a mixture of light-burnt dolomite and limestone), which is a conventional steelmaking flux, and the possibility of replacement was evaluated. To obtain a reliable evaluation, characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry were used, and slag foam height, slag basicity, and Fe recovery were calculated.