Introduction to Tungsten Iron Smelting in DC Submerged Arc Furnace

March 22, 2024

The production of tungsten iron using the iron extraction method usually takes 8 hours per furnace, and the furnace type is an open type electric furnace, because special iron spoons are needed to remove molten iron from the furnace. Firstly, add steel shavings and used waste spoons to the furnace and melt them with electricity. Then add tungsten concentrate and reducing agent. Additives should be added multiple times and in small quantities. Take a sample for testing after about 4 hours, and start taking iron after passing the test. When extracting iron, use a dedicated iron digger to extract tungsten iron from the furnace. After removing some of the molten iron, continue to add materials for smelting. Do not take too much iron each time to avoid furnace leakage. Stop feeding before the end of iron extraction. Then enter the next stage of impoverishment. The impoverishment period requires the use of coke and ferrosilicon to reduce WO3 in the slag and improve the recovery rate of tungsten. Subsequently, the slag is discharged and enters the next cycle.

The process of producing ferrotungsten using the block method is relatively simple. The furnace body is in a detachable form, with a structure similar to that of a furnace for producing fused magnesia sand. Tungsten concentrate and reducing agent are added together to the furnace, and the generated tungsten iron deposits into a block in the furnace. Then, the power is cut off and the furnace body is cooled. Then, the furnace body is disassembled and the tungsten iron ingots are taken out.