Frequently asked questions
Hot metal treatment, explained
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What is hot metal desiliconization, and why does it matter?
Hot metal desiliconization lowers the silicon content of liquid iron before steel making. Low hot metal silicon is ideal for steel making because it makes downstream processing more consistent and efficient. As raw material quality drifts and blast furnaces run at safer chemistries, silicon is not always low or consistent, so external desiliconization helps steel making get the steady hot metal quality it needs.
How is the Nellikuru Process different from oxygen blowing or adding mill scale?
Oxygen blowing for desiliconization is effectively a separate steel-making step, with its own cost and complexity. Adding mill scale, iron ore or sinter fines is not very effective in metal runners. The Nellikuru Process is a user-friendly reagent that reduces hot metal silicon directly in the blast furnace main runner and in hot metal ladles, without a separate process line.
Where can the desiliconization process be applied?
It can be applied in the blast furnace or COREX cast house, either in the main runner or in hot metal ladles, wherever it is most convenient for your operation.
What is the Hot Metal Insulation Compound?
It is a reagent that insulates liquid metal in the ladle. Unlike conventional ladle covering compounds that are added after the ladle is filled, our compound is added at the bottom of the ladle just before tapping, so it starts working the moment metal is taken in.
How does the insulation compound work?
The instant the compound meets liquid metal, an insulation layer forms over the metal surface. That layer floats along with the metal and stays intact until the metal is poured out, reducing temperature loss from surface turbulence, oxidation and metal jamming.
What benefits does the insulation compound deliver?
By insulating from the moment of tapping rather than after filling, it helps retain temperature, reduce oxidation and jamming, and improve yield out of the ladle.
Is the Nellikuru Process patented?
The Nellikuru desiliconization process is under patent. We are an R&D startup under the Make in India program, focused on practical innovation for iron and steel making.
How do we start, and can we run a trial?
Email us at [email protected] with a short note about your cast house, your current hot metal chemistry and what you want to improve. We will suggest a practical first step, often a trial in one runner or ladle. Nothing is stored on this website.
Still have a question?
Ask our team directly
We are happy to talk through your cast house and chemistry with no obligation.