Influence Factors of Aluminum–Slag Interfacial Reaction Under Electric Field

Abstract

The interfacial reaction between aluminum melt and molten slag under an electric field plays a significant role in aluminum electro-slag refining. Here we studied this interfacial reaction within 680 and 820°C under an electric field between 0 and 9 V. The evolution of aluminum composition was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The dominant factor during the interfacial reaction was identified through orthogonal experiments, in which the slag-to-aluminum mass ratio, initial silicon concentration, electric voltage, reaction time, and temperature were selected as the influence factors. The greatest influence factor on the interfacial reaction was found to be the reaction time. Also, single-factor experiments revealed that the reaction kinetic processes largely obeyed an irreversible kinetic model, and the silicon removal efficiency was enhanced by increasing the voltage and slag/metal ratio.