Production of high carbon ferromanganese using manganese rich slag in the charge

The possibility of replacement of the high cost sinter manganese ore by manganese rich slag for the production of high carbon ferromanganese was experimentally demonstrated. The experimental heats were designed and carried out to optimize this replacement through the adjustment of different production parameters. The results of pilot plant experimental heats showed that replacement of 50% of the sinter in the blend (or 25% of the blend) by slag containing 32% Mn and operation under slag basicity 0.9 and low (MgO)/(CaO) ratio of about 0.2‐0.3 are the optimum conditions to attain the highest manganese content in the produced ferromanganese, the highest manganese recovery and the highest metallic yield. The industrial application of reusing manganese slag clarified the economic efficiency of charging manganese slag up to 20‐25% of the blend in reducing the production cost due to reducing the cost of manganese ores. Charging of 20‐25% manganese slag reduces the cost of manganese ores and the total production cost by about 13 and 6% respectively, comparing with the conventional technology (without using manganese slag in the blend).