Dephosphorization of manganese-containing oxide melts

Abstract

A process for dephosphorization of manganese-containing oxide melts with carbon monoxide was developed and studied for the first time. Thermodynamic analysis showed that, under equilibrium conditions, the reaction of carbon monoxide CO with phosphorus oxide P₂O₅ contained in a manganese-containing oxide melt does not occur. However, since both of the products of this reaction are gaseous, the reaction may occur if the reaction products are removed from the reaction zone. The dephosphorization of manganese concentrate while blowing carbon monoxide through the molten concentrate was experimentally investigated. The blowing significantly reduced the phosphorus content of the melt: the P: Mn ratio decreased by a factor of 5–10, and the degree of dephosphorization was 70–90%.