Energy demand in secondary steel making process: numerical analysis to assess the influence of the ladle working lining properties

In secondary steel making process, steel scrap is melted in an electric arc furnace, then poured into a ladle where ferroalloy are added to obtain the desired steel composition. Energy is also supplied in LF (Ladle Furnace) to guarantee steel temperature required in the teeming phase. In this paper a simplified, but sound numerical model of the process the ladle undergoes is presented: it is meant to provide a way to compare energy demand for different choices of materials used in the ladle or for changes in the ladle work cycle. As an example of application of the model, energy demand in LF are evaluated and compared for two different choices of the refractory material used as working lining: magnesia and alumina. To take into account the reduction of the working lining due to wear processes, energy demand has been calculated for three different thicknesses. In addition, the beneficial effect of a lid during the waiting phase after cleaning is investigated.