| Abstract Scope |
While the 20-50% of iron oxide contained in bauxite residue (BR) can be recovered as pig iron, this is not economically viable due to the low market price of pig iron. Silicon rich iron alloys have higher value than pig iron, and BR contains from 5-15% silicon oxide. To increase the value of the produced metal, it is attempted to maximise the silicon content of iron alloys produced from BR. This option has been explored with experiments and thermodynamic models (FactSage) focusing on BR from one legacy site and 3 alumina refineries, obtaining a maximum of 17 wt% Si in experimentally produced alloys. The paper discusses the thermodynamics around the results, looking at the influence of slag viscosity. |