The Role of an Interfacial Product Layer in Magnesium Desulphurization of Molten Iron

The desulphurization kinetics of molten iron by magnesium vapour were studied using 60 kg heats of carbon-saturated iron at 1523K. Magnesium dissolution and desulphurization rates, as well as magnesium bubble size, were monitored over sulphur contents ranging from 0.0002 to 0.2% S. The magnesium dissolution mass transfer coefficient (0.046 ± 0.034mm s−1 for 30-mm dia bubbles) was independent of sulphur content and also lower than expected from …