Proposals for developing raw-material base for magnesia production

Abstract

The ferrous metals industry is increasing its output of oxygen-converter steel and electric steel; more steel is being cast by the continuous method, and there is an increase in the output of finished rolled stock without a large increase in the production of iron. The structural changes in the methods of producing metal and accelerating the metallurgical processes involve changes in the range of refractories needed, and greater demands on their quality are being experienced.Stabilizing the production of iron and reducing the proportion of open-hearth steel reduces the demands for aluminosilicate refractories; the growth in the production of converter steel and electric steel increases the demand for magnesia refractories.The refractories industry is experiencing a shortage of magnesia raw materials for making even standard magnesia refractories, and so it is necessary to import periclase powder (calcined magnesite).The main volume of imports (to !991, more than 97%) consisted of Korean, low-grade calcined magnesite containing only 89-90% MgO. Reports from the Finance Office of the Ukrainian Research Institute of Refractories [i] mention that in order to increase the quality of goods made with Korean periclase it is necessary to introduce specialist lines and to take certain management measures.Thus, making satisfactory refractories from the powder requires greater expenditure than ~ith the use of domestic raw materials~