Evaporation of reaction-zone components in the low-temperature plasma treatment of chromium-bearing melts

Abstract

The evaporation of iron, Fe–Cr, Fe–Ni, and Fe–Cr–Ni melts at the plasma spot in treatment by low-temperature argon plasma is studied. Experiments with different masses of metal and with variation in arc power of the plasmatron are conducted so as to determine the conditions corresponding to stable surface temperature of the metal. The results show that, for experiments in which the plasma flux completely exposes the surface of the metal droplet, arc power no less than 2.0 kW is optimal; the mass of the metal should be 5‒10 g. The evaporation process is studied as function of the melt composition, and the evaporation rates are determined. Of the alloys considered, Fe–Cr–Ni melt is characterized by the highest evaporation rate in the neutral atmosphere of a laboratory plasma furnace. The surface temperature of the melt is determined indirectly, on the basis of the evaporation rate. The surface temperature of the plasma-treated melt is found to vary in the range 1950–2100 K with variation in arc power from 1.6 to 2.4 kW.