BFI VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut GmbH

In the converter process, pig iron is converted into crude steel with the addition of oxygen. This is done using a high pressure oxygen lance. During this high pressure and high temperature process there is strong turbulence in the molten iron, whereby iron and steel droplets hit the oxygen lance in pulses and adhere there. After a short period of operation, the oxygen lance is damaged or the adhesion becomes so heavy that the lances have to be replaced or reworked. This results in high maintenance and energy costs. To reduce the buildup, a specially conditioned surface is to be developed that allows the iron and steel droplets to roll off and thus significantly increases the operating time of the lances.