Solid-phase decarburization of high-carbon ferrochrome powders containing calcium carbonate by microwave heating

Non-slag decarburization of high-carbon ferrochrome can avoid toxic chromium slag emissions. Solid phase decarburization of high-carbon ferrochrome powder containing a certain proportion of calcium carbonate powder can be achieved using the characteristics of rapid heating powder materials in a microwave field. Experimental results show that adding a certain proportion of calcium carbonate powder does not affect the microwave heating characteristics of high-carbon ferrochrome powder. Deep decarburization of high-carbon ferrochrome powder is realized at a higher decarburization molar ratio of the mixed materials,a higher decarburization temperature,and a longer decarburization time,but the oxidation degree of decarburized ferrochrome powder is also increased accordingly. Under the suitable solid-phase decarburization conditions of the carburization molar ratio of 1:1.0-1:1.4,the microwave heating temperature of 1100℃ and the decarburization time of 60 min,the mass content of carbon in the decarburized materials is 3.91% to 1.71%,and the decarburization rate is 52.08% to 79.04%.