Energy and cost effective casting of ferroalloys

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In ferroalloy production metal fines are the undesired fraction of the produced alloy having a size below the minimum size limit after sieving. Fines are normally collected and recycled into own production line, or sold as a low priced inferior product. T he amount of fines generation depend on properties of the individual phases present in the alloy, and how these phases respond to the applied crushing technology. The amount of the different phases depends on chemical composition, and on applied casting c onditions. Thus, the applied technology and procedures for casting and crushing play important roles in determining energy yield and production efficiency of ferroalloys through the significant influence on fines generation. The large potential for redu cing the specific energy consumption by reducing the amount of alloy lost as metal fines during casting and crushing is the underlying idea that provides the motivation for the eCAST project. This project will focus on understanding the governing mechanis ms for generation of fines during casting and crushing, and how to reduce this phenomenon through modification of the applied casting and crushing technology and procedures.