Optical basicity of metallurgical slags: new computer based system for data visualisation and analysis

Abstract

A computer based system DaViCCAND (data visualisation, clustering, and conceptually analysing noisy data) is described. The system provides the extraction metallurgist with a user friendly software package, and the means of gaining access to the Optical Basicity Databank for technological applications and for the purposes of scientific evaluation. Statistical and curve fitting routines are called explicitly by the user; additionally there are several 'intelligent' features which will discover the best optical basicity fit for particular metallurgical processes and assist in the choice of optical basicity parameters for individual slag components. Uses of DaViCCAND presented here include the exploration of transitional behaviour (involving sulphur capacities) between siliceous and aluminous slags, and the assignment of 'new' optical basicity values to transition metal oxides, e.g. for FeO the values 0.97 and 0.35, appropriate to the sulphur and phosphorus capacities, respectively. The DaViCCAND system thus provides information which may be immediately useful, as well as drawing attention to the intriguing questions regarding high temperature acid-base chemistry and the properties of ionic oxide melts which require further investigation.