Optimization on Temperature Strategy of BOF Vanadium Extraction to Enhance Vanadium Yield with Minimum Carbon Loss

Abstract

During the vanadium extraction process in basic oxygen furnace (BOF), unduly high temperature is unfavorable to achieve efficient vanadium yield with minimum carbon loss. A new temperature strategy was developed based on industrial experiments. The new strategy applies the selective oxidation temperature between carbon and vanadium (Tsl) and the equilibrium temperature of vanadium oxidation and reduction (Teq) for the earlier and middle-late smelting, respectively. Industrial experiments showed 56.9 wt% of V was removed together with carbon loss for 5.6 wt% only in the earlier smelting. Additionally, 30 wt% of vanadium was removed together with carbon loss by 13.4 wt% in middle-late smelting. Applicability analyses confirmed Teq as the high-limit temperature, vanadium removal remains low and carbon loss increased sharply when the molten bath temperature exceeded Teq. With the optimized temperature strategy, vanadium removal increased from 69.2 wt% to 92.3 wt% with a promotion by 23 wt%.