Experimental Study on Strengthening Carbothermic Reduction of Vanadium-Titanium-Magnetite by Adding CaF2

Abstract

The effects and reduction mechanisms of carbothermic reduction of vanadium–titanium–magnetite were studied by adding various mass fractions of CaF2 ranging from 0%, 1%, 3%, 5% to 7%. The results showed that the proper CaF2 addition could strengthen the carbothermic reduction of vanadium–titanium–magnetite while the excessive amounts will weaken the promotive effect, hence the appropriate dosage was determined to be 3 mass%. The CaF2 was favorable for the carbon gasification reaction, where it increased the partial pressure of CO inside briquette and caused the lattice distortion of vanadium–titanium–magnetite. The reaction improved the reduction process and accelerated the reduction rate. The appearance of 3CaO·2SiO2·CaF2 and other complex compounds with low melting point facilitated the aggregation and growth of the slag and the iron, which increased the concentration of iron grains and the aggregation level of the slag.