Melting performance evaluation for a new "green" lime product

Purpose and goal:

The purpose of the pre-study is a joint demonstration and development trial on a laboratory scale to test and evaluate the newly developed carbon dioxide-neutral green lime as a slag-forming material in steelmaking. The goal is to investigate the slag´s melting point, viscosity, and the interaction between the slag and the metal phase.

Expected results and effects:

The lime industry is one of Sweden´s largest emitters of CO2 and it is clear that a green transition is necessary to reach the global climate goals. The newly developed lime is produced in an Electric Arc Calciner which has great potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The expected result of the pre-study is to verify the suitability of the newly developed lime as a raw material for slag formation in steel production.

This would be an important step towards the climate-neutral goals at domestic, EU, and global levels. Approach and implementation:

The pre-study begins with mapping and characterization of the green lime, before and after calcination. The fine-grained lime will then be briquetted together with SiO2 and Al2O3 and then heated above melting temperature while the melting behavior is studied. The slag will then be melted together with steel. Slag and steel will be analyzed with a focus on sulfur removal and phosphorus distribution. The results will be compared to reference melts with commercial lime.