Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF)

A Look at BOF Steelmaking

In basic oxygen furnace (BOF) steel production, also known as basic oxygen steelmaking (BOS) or the basic oxygen process (BOP), liquid iron (hot metal) is mixed with steel scrap and alloys to produce steel.

The liquid iron, or hot metal, is generated by melting iron ore in a blast furnace. The hot metal is poured into a refractory-lined ladle, and later into a BOF vessel that has been charged with cold scrap. The alloys are added and oxygen is blown into the carbon-rich molten iron at high speeds to melt the scrap and alloys, resulting in the oxidation of carbon and impurities and the formation of steel.

Once the fluxes and metal have completed the blowing cycle, the BOF vessel is tilted, and the molten steel is poured into a ladle with basic refractory lining for further refining.

Our Role in BOF Steelmaking

What We Do

Carmeuse supports BOF steelmakers from End-2-End.

Carmeuse is a global leader and expert in providing lime products and lime handling system solutions for Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) steelmaking. Burnt lime, high calcium lime, and dolomitic lime are used in several steps throughout the BOF steelmaking process, resulting in several enhancements and benefits.

Carmeuse lime products help to remove impurities in the steel, form slag, and extend refractory life. For an in-depth look at how our lime products add value to the basic oxygen process, read our article HOW HIGH CALCIUM AND DOLOMITIC LIME ADDS VALUE & BENEFITS TO BOF.

How it Helps

Removing Impurities - High calcium quicklime is used as a fluxing agent to aid in efficient and effective slag formation to remove impurities like sulfur, phosphorus, and silica from the molten iron to improve steel quality. Soft burnt quicklime can also be used to remove phosphorus from the steel bath.
Maintaining Slag Viscosity – High calcium quicklime helps maintain the viscosity of the slag to increase heat yield. Proper formation of slag layer protects the refractory, concentrates and transfers heat to the liquid steel, and traps impurities and metal oxides.
Extending Refractory Life - Magnesium content in dolomitic quicklime prevents melt-throughs in the refractory, and helps extend refractory life.

Lime Handling Systems for BOF Steelmaking

An evaluation of your lime handling equipment is essential in ensuring lime is transferred from silo to furnace in the most effective and reliable way, as over time this will be impacted through normal wear and tear. From offloading to flow promotion and conveying, Carmeuse is committed to providing quality equipment solutions to BOF steelmakers to help optimize your operations.

Carmeuse supplies our advanced equipment solutions for lime storage and handling through our wholly owned subsidiary, Storage & Transfer Technologies (STT). Our expert engineers can design the right solution to keep your steelmaking operation running smoothly, from new lime handling systems, to retrofits and upgrades for your existing equipment. Experienced technicians are also available for onsite diagnosis of current problem areas, recommendations for potential solutions, and help with system implementation and startup. For additional information related to our lime handling expertise, visit the STT website.

View Our Solutions