Argon-oxygen decarburization (ACO, argon-oxygen decarburization) is the process of refining steel by blowing the payoff with argon and oxygen.

Argon - oxygen decarburization (ACO, argon - oxygen decarburization) is the process of refining steel by blowing the payoff with argon and oxygen.

The technology makes it possible to obtain low - carbon steel with the appropriate properties: low silicon content; good weldability; high resistance to corrosion and heat. oven for AKO For such processing of the melt, metal finishing installations or special converter furnaces, AOD - converters are used. AKO provides precise control of the chemical composition of steel. Nitrogen or argon, which is used to process the melt, reduces unwanted oxidation of chromium. Thus, various grades of stainless steel and other high quality alloys are obtained. LLC "Plant Termolitmash" is a manufacturer and supplier of electric steel - making furnaces , related equipment and services. We design, build and service steel - making furnaces, steel - pouring ladles and other metallurgical equipment for enterprises in Ukraine, Russia, the CIS and Europe. Argon - oxygen decarburization has many advantages over other methods of producing low - carbon and stainless steel grades: Low energy consumption. Less content of non - metallic inclusions and nitrogen. Efficient even with significant initial carbon content. ARGON OXYGEN REFINING PROCESS During purging with inert gas and oxygen, unwanted chemical elements that are in the melt collect around the bubbles. Thus, they are transferred to the slag on the surface of the molten metal mirror. The process is divided into several stages with different ratios of oxygen and inert gas. The specific sequence depends on the required properties of the finished intermediate product. In addition, new methods are constantly being developed to improve product quality and reduce the cost of the manufacturing process. FEATURES OF EQUIPMENT FOR ACO For argon - oxygen decarburization or refining, special equipment is required. The main system of the AOD converter is the gas supply lances. The lower (side) lance consists of two concentric tubes. Argon is fed through the outer, and a mixture of argon and oxygen through the inner. The tuyeres can be spaced. In this type of purging, the oxygen lance is located at the top and the inert gas is supplied at the bottom. To reduce the cost of production, nitrogen is used instead of argon. But even in the case of using argon, the consumption of gases is moderate. Modern equipment allows the installation of refining automation systems with full intelligent control of all processes. At the same time, there remains the possibility of manual control of the blowdown for the manufacture of special grades of steel.