Agglomerated quicklime or dolomitic quicklime compositions for electric arc furnace steelmaking

Abstract

A composition of matter where a calcium compound selected from quicklime or dolomitic quicklime is formed into agglomerates, using a non-aqueous binder such as a wax or a starch, the agglomerates having a particle size in a range of about 1.0 to 20 mm, and at least 90 percent of the agglomerates having a particle size within 60 percent, preferably within about 25 percent, plus or minus, of a predetermined particle size within that range. The agglomerates are especially useful for injection into an electric arc furnace in the making of steel.

1 . A composition of matter comprising a calcium component, selected from the group consisting essentially of quicklime and dolomitic quicklime formed into agglomerates, the agglomerates containing a non-aqueous binder, and the agglomerates having a particle size in a range of about 1.0 mm to 20 mm with at least 90 percent of said agglomerates having a particle size within 60 percent, plus or minus, of a predetermined particle size within said range.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of matter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said non-aqueous binder is a wax.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of matter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said non-aqueous binder is a starch.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of matter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said calcium component is quicklime.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of matter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said calcium component is dolomitic quicklime.  
     
     
         6 . The composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said non-aqueous binder is present in an amount of less than about 20 percent by weight of the agglomerates.  
     
     
         7 . The composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the agglomerates have a particle size in a range of about 1.0 mm to 20 mm, with at least 90 percent of said agglomerates having a particle size with 25 percent, plus or minus, of a predetermined particle size within said range.  
     
     
         8 . A composition of matter comprising a calcium component, selected from the group consisting essentially of quicklime and dolomitic quicklime formed into agglomerates, the agglomerates containing a non-aqueous binder, selected from the group consisting of a wax and a starch, said binder present in an amount of less than about 20 percent by weight of the agglomerates, and the agglomerates having a particle size in a range of about 1.0 mm to 20 mm with at least 90 percent of said agglomerates having a particle size within 60 percent, plus or minus, of a predetermined particle size within said range.  
     
     
         9 . The composition as defined in  claim 8 , whereas said calcium component is quicklime and said binder is a wax.  
     
     
         10 . In an electric arc furnace steelmaking process, wherein a calcium component is injected into the slag and/or metal into an electric arc furnace for use as a slag forming material therein, the calcium component injected through injectors of the electric arc furnace using air, the improvement comprising: 
 supplying, as the calcium component, a calcium component selected from the group consisting essentially of quicklime and dolomitic quicklime formed into agglomerates, the agglomerates containing a non-aqueous binder, and the agglomerates having a particle size in a range of about 1.0 mm to 20 mm with at least 90 percent of said agglomerates having a particle size within 60 percent, plus or minus, of a predetermined particle size within said range.    
     
     
         11 . The process as described in  claim 10 , wherein said non-aqueous binder is selected from the group consisting of a wax and a starch.  
     
     
         12 . The process as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said calcium component is quicklime.  
     
     
         13 . The process as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said calcium component is dolomitic quicklime.  
     
     
         14 . The process as described in  claim 10 , wherein the agglomerates have a particle size in a range of about 1.0 mm to 20 mm with at least 90 percent of said agglomerates having a particle size with 25 percent, plus or minus, of a predetermined particle size within said range.  
     
     
         15 . The process as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said calcium component is injected into the electric arc furnace through a side wall injector.  
     
     
         16 . The process as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said air is enriched with oxygen.  
     
     
         17 . In an electric arc furnace steelmaking process, wherein a calcium component is injected into the slag and/or metal into an electric arc furnace for use as a slag forming material therein, the calcium component injected through injectors of the electric arc furnace using air, the improvement comprising: 
 supplying, as the calcium component, a calcium component selected from the group consisting essentially of quicklime and dolomitic quicklime formed into agglomerates, the agglomerates containing a non-aqueous binder, selected from the group consisting of a wax and a starch, said binder present in an amount of less than about 20 percent by weight of the agglomerates, and the agglomerates having a particle size in a range of about 1.0 mm to 20 mm, with at least 90 percent of said agglomerates having a particle size within 60 percent, plus or minus, of a predetermined particle size within said range.    
     
     
         18 . The process as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the agglomerates have a particle size in a range of about 1.0 mm to 20 mm with at least 90 percent of said agglomerates having a particle size with 25 percent, plus or minus, of a predetermined particle size within said range.  
     
     
         19 . The process as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said calcium component is quicklime and said binder is a wax.