Ferroalloys Processing Equipment

Abstract The process by which ore is converted to a ferroalloy contains a number of steps. These include mining of the ore; preparing the ore by processes such as crushing, screening, washing, grinding, or milling; and sometimes applying beneficiation processes such as flotation, followed by smelting and refining. This chapter describes the equipment used for the smelting of ferroalloys. The first section covers furnace technology and operation by discussing AC and DC furnaces, their electrical operation, electrodes, and related plant such as raw material handling systems, exhaust gas handling, and furnace crucibles, which includes the linings, and cooling of the furnace and the roof. The second section discusses the more important processing steps, which may be applied to the raw materials at the smelter prior to their smelting in the furnace. These include agglomeration by briquetting or the production of sintered pellets, sintering of ore, prereduction, and preheating. The third section describes the treatment of the product and slag after it leaves the furnace, whereas the final section provides a short description of other furnaces for ferroalloys production.