Lower-Carbon and Carbon-Free Electrodes for Use in Steel Metallurgy

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The invention describes carbon-free and low-carbon electrodes for use in steel metallurgy, particularly in electric arc furnaces or ladle furnaces. These electrodes are made from metals or metal-oxide composites (such as steel, copper, or nickel combined with oxides like MgO or CaO), with some variants optionally including small amounts of carbon or specific ceramic reinforcements. The invention also details methods of manufacturing these composites, including forming, sintering in protective atmospheres, and controlled oxidation to create protective surface layers (spinels). These electrodes replace conventional carbon-based electrodes to reduce CO2 emissions during steelmaking.

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• Electrodes for electric arc furnaces in steel production.
• Electrodes for ladle furnaces used in refining and treating molten steel.
• Steelworks seeking to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact.
• Metallurgical processes requiring inert or low-reactivity electrodes.
• Industries developing integrated steel plants focused on green technologies.
• Incorporation in processes where controlling the slag chemistry is essential, via reactive electrode surfaces.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly reduces or eliminates CO2 emissions associated with the consumption of carbon electrodes in steelmaking.
• Enhances environmental sustainability in steel production.
• Improved electrode lifespan due to engineered protective (spinel) surface layers.
• High electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance of proposed materials.
• Enables more precise control over the chemical composition of slag and metal during processing.
• Potentially lowers operating costs linked with continuous replacement of consumed carbon electrodes.
• Flexible electrode design (solid or hollow, allows gas or solid reagent injection), which expands processing capabilities.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to carbon-free electrodes for steel metallurgy, for example in electric arc furnaces or ladle furnaces on the basis of metal or metals and oxide or oxides or just metal in combination, in this case disclosed with water cooling. Furthermore, according to the invention, lower-carbon electrodes for steel metallurgy on the basis of metal or metals and oxide or oxides with additions of carbon and/or SiC and/or B4C and/or TiB2 are disclosed.