Desulphurisation of high sulphur cast iron using an electrochemical technique

Abstract

Background: Transfer of sulphur from metal to slag phase is electrochemical in nature. Application of external electrical current should thus enhance the rate of sulphur removal from metal to slag. Method: An electrochemical set-up has been designed and developed to study the possible effects of external electric current on the process of desulphurisation of cast iron in a laboratory scale set-up. Results and conclusions: It is observed from the present work that it is possible to accelerate the reaction by applying external voltage and current. Imposition of a current density of 2.33A/cm(2) at 4V significantly increases the rate of sulphur transfer from high sulphur cast iron to a desulphurising slag. The rate of sulphur transfer from metal to slag without application of electric current was 2.97x10(-4) moles %/s. On application of electric current, this rate increased to 6.72x10(-4) moles %/s under similar flux basicity ratio. There is an additive effect of current on normal slag-metal desulphurisation, and at 90A, the efficiency of current towards desulphurisation is about 81.95%.