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In the iron and steel industry, gases like argon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide play crucial roles in processes such as inerting, stirring, and refining to ensure high-quality production and efficiency.
Inerting: Argon and nitrogen are commonly used to create an inert atmosphere in molten metal baths, preventing oxidation and contamination. Argon is particularly preferred in high-purity applications due to its non-reactive nature.
Stirring: Argon and nitrogen are also used for gas stirring in ladles and converters to homogenize the temperature and composition of the molten metal. This helps in removing impurities and ensuring uniformity in the final product. Argon is often used in processes like argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) to precisely control carbon content and other impurities.
Refining: Oxygen plays a vital role in refining iron and steel by oxidizing impurities such as carbon, silicon, and manganese. The controlled introduction of oxygen helps reduce these impurities, enhancing the quality of the steel. Hydrogen is sometimes used in specialized processes to reduce oxides and other contaminants, improving the properties of the steel.
Carbon dioxide is less commonly used directly in these processes but can be involved in creating specific environments or reactions within the refining process. For example, it can be used in combination with other gases to manage slag formation and other refining reactions.
Together, these gases optimize the iron and steel manufacturing processes, ensuring the production of high-quality metals with desired properties and characteristics.
Learn more about our inerting, stirring and refining for iron and steel gases and services we offer.
Inerting in the iron and steel industry involves using inert gases, such as nitrogen or argon, to create a non-reactive atmosphere during various processes. This prevents unwanted reactions, such as oxidation, and helps maintain the quality of the steel.
Stirring, often achieved by injecting gases or using electromagnetic methods, ensures the uniform distribution of temperature and composition in the molten steel. It helps in homogenizing the melt, removing impurities, and improving the overall quality of the final product.
Refining in steelmaking involves processes that remove impurities such as sulfur, phosphorus, and excess carbon from the molten iron. This is typically achieved through techniques like desulfurization, decarburization, and dephosphorization using inert gases and other methods.
Inerting is important because it prevents oxidation and contamination during the production and refining of iron and steel. By creating a protective atmosphere, inert gases help in maintaining the purity and quality of the metal.
Argon and nitrogen are the most commonly used inert gases in the iron and steel industry. Argon is often preferred for its inertness, while nitrogen is used for its cost-effectiveness and availability.
Stirring improves the quality of steel by ensuring a uniform temperature and chemical composition throughout the molten metal. This process helps in the effective removal of impurities and inclusions, resulting in a higher quality final product.
Argon provides a highly inert atmosphere, preventing oxidation and contamination of the molten steel. It is particularly useful in processes such as ladle refining and secondary metallurgy to maintain steel quality and consistency.
Gas stirring is typically implemented by injecting inert gases, such as argon or nitrogen, through porous plugs at the bottom of the ladle or tundish. This creates bubbles that stir the molten metal, promoting homogenization and refining.
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