THE USE OF RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES AND NUCLEAR RADIATION IN THE SOLUTION OF SOME PROBLEMS OF BLAST-FURNACE AND STEEL-MAKING PRODUCTION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T00246A007900090002-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 27
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 29, 2009
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: October 8, 1959
• Content Type: REPORT

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 Telesov S.A., Shvart an L.A.
which the attainments of nuclear phyeioe have been utiliged9
by Afanaejev Vm19o9 Boljaev U.P.9 Bogdanova RoG.9
Bulsky M.T.9 Grusin P.L.9 Nikulinsky 10D09 Offongen-
den A. ,, 9 Polovohenko IONS. 9 Pugaohev Ao V o 9Skrebt%ov AoH. 9
The extensive organi ation of work in ?etallur gy9 in
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USE OF RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES AND NUCLEAR RADIATIOZ
SOLUTION OF SOME PROBLEMS OP BLAST-FUR PACE k D
STILL-MAKING PRODUCTION
in the USSR dates back to the years 1948?1949.
The Institutes and plants of the Ferrous Metallurgy
etwork of radiometric laboratories for the inspection
and development of technological prooessesm
Separate questions connected with the utili ation of
radioactive isotopes and nuclear radiation in the metallurgical
industry of the Soviet Union have been described in tho
literature is detail. Some results have already been reported
st international conferences. The present report deals only
with Individual eples of the utilization of radioactive
isotopes and nuclear radiation in the ferrous metal industry.
Chief attention is paid to the results of work now in progress
t the Kia etsk Iron and Steel forks, and the ?9Asovstal?? 9
the Daershinak9 the Ilich and the Stalinsk Iron and Steel
ailla9 with the collaboration of the Central Scientific R.:sem
orch Institute of the Ferrous Wetal Industry.
I. BLAST-FUR1ACE PRODUCTION
~1. Re~eal,a$ion of I omi Charge in Bleat?Furnaoes
In the field of oat iron manufacture the automation
of the control of the operation of the blast-furnace process
rr sir r R
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is an important problem. In this connection there arises the
need to provide contactless, continuous-acting low-inertia
data units, which afford data on the run of processes,'as
well as its transmission into the computer. In the
solution of this problem in the Soviet Union great attention
is paid to the utilization of radioactive isotopes. To that
end there has been developed a radiometric installation de-
signed for the regulation of blast-furnace incoming charge.
At the present time the blast-furnace incoming charge is
regulated on the basis of indications of mechanical soundings,
which give satisfactory results only when the blast-furnace
runs smoothly. Sounding diagrams often-do not characterize
the position of the surface of the charge and do not permit to
regulate the level of filling. Great difficulties are experi-
enced when mechanical soundings are utilized in the operat-
ion of large volume blast-furnaces,when the pressure under
the furnace top is raised.
The radioactive method regulating the level of filling
of the blast-furnace with charge materials is based on the ab
sorption of gamma-rays from radioactive sources. In the given
case one may utilize radioactive isotopes of cobalt and other
elements with a hard gamma-radiation (with energies of I MeV
ore) and with a sufficiently large half-life (one year and
more). Closed sources of radiation with activities of about
200 mcuries (depending upon ray hardness and furnace dimen-
sions) are set up in the furnace refractory masonry at a
definite level of fill of charge materials, or under the bell
(Fig. 1). At various points along the furnace periphery in the
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installed, whose cables are connected to the recorder with a
light panel. Detectors are set up on a number of horizons,
four on each horizon. When the charge material level of fill
is lower that the location of any one of the detectors, the
irradiation intensity of the detector increases abruptly, and
the respective signal lamp on the control board ignites.
The radiometric method of regulation of the level of
filling is being used on one of the blast-furnaces of the
Dzerzhinsk plant. The diagram of the radiometric regulator of
the level of filling, developed by personnel of the plant,
of CSRIFMI and of the Ukrainian Institute of Metals, is
shown on Figures 9 and 2. In this case two sources of radio-
active cobalt, 500 mouries each, were placed on the blast-
furnace, under the level of the material, along the furnace
top circumference, between the vertical rows of counters
(See Fig. 2). Sources and counters have been arranged in
such a manner that the radiation of each source acts only
upon the two vertical rows of counters, which are opposite to
it. The possibility of shifting the sources in pipes permits
to carry it out with fascility.
A comparison of the readings of the radiometric instal-
lation and of the mechanical soundings leads to the following
conclusions:
a. The readings of the installation from the side of the
cast iron tap and air heaters rarely coincide with sounding
data when the furnace runs very smoothly; as a rule, the read-
ings of mechanical soundings are considerably lower than the
surface of the fill, as revealed by radiometric control;
b. Due to the fact that the soundings are drawn in by the
charge, the actual level of materials is in many cases higher
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that the bottom position of the edge of the large bell; as a
result, the orientation by mechanical sounding readings often
leads to the overloading of furnaces. The passage to the con-
trol of the loading of furnaces by radiometric control data
evens out the running of furnaces.
The new regulator of filling clearly manifests a nonuni-
form speed of incoming materials along the circumference.
The Dzerzhinsk Plant, CSRIFMI the Ukrainian Institute
of Metals and the Tallin measuring instruments plant
have worked out an industrial standard for the radiometric
fill regulator. During the cars 1959 and 1960 regulators will
be installed on blast-furnaces at a number of plants.
2. Control of the Quality of the Charge and Ore
In order to control the blast duty a reliable and quick
determination of the granulometric composition of the charge
is needed. At some plants the screen composition of charge
materials is determined by the screen sizing of samples
weighing about one ton, selected in 24 hours. This very labo-
rious method dose not offer any possibility to obtain in the
time alloted to it the necessary true results, which conside-
rably lowers its validity.
The study of the absorption of gamma-radiation by the
blast-furnace charge components carried out on the Dzerzhinsk
and Novo?Tulsk Steel Plants revealed the possibility of con-
trolling the gas-permeability of charge materials by the ram
diometrio method. It has been found that the absorption of
gamma-rays in that case depends upon the density, the bulk
weight of the material connected with the screen composition.
Personnel of the CSRIFMI and of the Dzerzhinsk Plant develo-
.._ _a...m_a .,Q.~,nro 4rnan4ehl rliwwi [?.R?4m for the measu-
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rement of the lunpimg of cokep upon whome screen composition
depends the general gas-permeability of the charge colusss
(coke occupies about 60% of the charge volume).
The device ha a been installed at one of the blast?furna-
oee of the D ershinak Plant, at the left-hand weight funnel
of the lift of the blaot'furnace. The weight funnel a (Pig.3)
le traneluced by a radioactive isotope of cobalt (Co60)9 with
a 300 mourie activity, situated in a protective collimator b,
which i be displaced by guides, either bringing it closer
to the funnel, or removing it from the funnel. The data unit
d, located on the opposite side p from centres at the point
e consists of eight CTC 6 counters. It measures the intensity
f the beam of rays, which passes through the coke, which
reooreded by a specially constructed recorder.
Coke lumping is recorded separately for each skip by its
filling the weight funnel, simultaneously with the stoppegs
of the disk sieve, which delivers coke from the hopper into
the funnel. In wakJxg records on the band appear wpeak& of
the radiation intensity (Fig. 4) varying in size, depending
upon the density of the material.
A cos parison of records of the device, obtained at the
Daerzhinsk Plant, with readings of furnace operation,has re-
v?aled that the absorption of gals -rays by coke varied from
5.0 to 12.7c of the moan value; at a mini absorption the
coke ore load reached 2540 Ig/t and at a maziou it was lo-
tiered to 2210 kg/t,j that is9 it pas lowered 1". That does
not agree with the existing ideas on the possible effect of
ook(@ lumping upon the ther&l oondition of the furnace and
of echo cones ption (the amount of carbon in the charge
rdl.y changes thereby) ? FU=900 operation observations revs-
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led, that at poriod@ of isau a aboorption of g N? ?rryo by
coke the extraction of coke out of the furnace with Gl
increases (not only with the lc or, but al@o Vitt the MpPGg
slag). Individual cast Iran yields were followed by tho
carrying away of appro-RinatelY up to 10-12 tons of ool ? with
the lower slag; a oomaidorabl3 amount of Who full into slag
ladles through @l tapio Sino? the ?o r left the hearth
heated to 1350?1400 ?C9 tho noti??able hoot l?@sG> nuot b?
oaloulated? Th?s? fuel bosses i ndioate that it iG n?ooosary
to inoroase ooko 14Bpffi008 in op?ratir fire
creased gas pr?csuren to PM9 a greater attentio
intenanoe of oaot iron cape and to the limitation Of 61
to yere dislensions
Blast?furna?e output is in a considerable measure deter-
ined by the preparation of ore materials. In the solution
of thie problom the control Of the prop?se of iron ?r? r?fin-
nd of agglomerate sintoring le an important link. Tho
.utilisation of radi?active leotopes has proved to be very
effeotiv0 in thie Qt?ld alo?a
At the Ku notok Iron and Steel fork a radiometer was
d?einged for the deteroiinati?n of the agglomerate denoity0
Instrument operation to bas?d on tho aboerption of radioaotivo
euiceion of isotopes. Inotru ent t?oto at the ezzlomerato
plant havo ehoun that It my bo used far the c?mtrel of tho
process of are cintorin in cbtaimias the awlesormte.
Further rationalis tion ?f the r oth?1? amd development of
reliable inotalltatione for the control of the properties Of
ooko,oro and awlo0orat? offer a p?cgibilitY to obtain data
relation to the aoroync c re ietanoo ?f the oharff0? Tho MOO.
of radiom?trie inotallationg for controlling the doneity Of
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:ot e9 ore and agglomerate permits to increase blast-furnace
output and also creates new prerequisites for the automation
of laborious processes and for the sanitation of the oonditio
of labour.
~, Determination of the Speed of Notion and of the
Time during which the Charge stays in the Slash- rnace
For a number of years on several plants in the Soviet
Union is the motion of charge
aterials in blast?gurcnaoee
controlled. This work is of great practical value for the
control of the blast furnaoe process and for the determination
of optimal duties of furnace operation and of a rational shaft
profile,
For the study of the motion of the charge by means of
dioaotive Isotopes two particular methods are used. The
first method (the method of measuring the radioactivity of
tests of melt products) determines the total time during which
the materials are in the furnace - from the instant of loading
to their getting into the hearth and their dissolution in
cast iron. In this case materials are carried Into the furnace
in the zone of the top at a definite time prior to the output
of oast iron. The time of their getting into the hearth is
established by the appearance of radioactivity in the cast
iron. This method requires no special equipment 9 but it offers
no possibility for the determination of the speed of the
mooring charge on separate sections of the furnace shaft.
The time during which various charge materials stay at
a desired point In the furnace was determined on furnaces o$
a variety of volumes and designs. Tests at the Novo-Tulsk
Plans have shown that in the zone of the body and in the
lower MOW-
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materials,which lessens the actual Word.ng volume of the
furnace by 10-15'. This information is partially corroborated
by limestone tests at the "izovstal" Plant. The mean speed
of lowering materials, in a number of oases, was greater in in the centre of the furnace than at the periphery - directly
at shaft walls, which depends both upon the system of loading
and upon the physical properties of charge materials. The
relative alteration of the mean speed along radii of two fur-
naces of the "Azovstal" Plant is shown on Fig. 5. On the blast-
furnace A the speed increases continuously from the periphery
to the centre, while on the blast-furnace B it reaches a ma-
ximum at a distance about 0.46 m from the shaft wall, and
becomes less and less thereon. In both cases the speed is
higher in the centre than at the periphery.
The second method - of radiometrio sondage (developed by
Fellows of NTMP , the Dserzhinsk Plant and CSRIFMI ) - permits
to determine the speed of individual components of the charge
on any section of the shaft. The diagram of the test in the
points
study of the speed of motion of the charge with eight pof
of investigation is shown on Fig. 6. Radioactive granules o
the charge were brought in to the level of filling, at a
desired distance from the centre of the furnace, while at ho-
rizons I - VI were introduced radiometric soundings consisting
of a system of three coaxial pipes, between which there is
provided the circulation of water, which maintains in the in-
terior pipe a temperature not more than 400. In the interior
pipe, which is sealed hermetically against the seepage of
moisture, there is arraf?d a radiation detector' (a self-quen-
ched counter).
non traced oharge granules are lowered from the upper
horizon, the radioaotivity is rooor~:ad in suooession on the
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lower horizons. The speed with which the charge is moving on
separate sections of the furnace is determined by the time
intervals between maximum intensity of radiations which cor-
respond to the passage of a granule through two adjacent
horizons, or by the speed of the growth of intensivity at
each horizon. For the location of the detector three variants
are used: a. Outside the shaft, at the furnace hood; b. In
the shaft lining; 3. In the interior of the furnace.
The method of radiometric sondage was used on large
volume furnaces. Tests revealed the displacement of the
charge to the furnace centre at the second horizon) which
was somewhat greater for coke than for ore. Between the
second and third horizons both coke and ore deflect towards
the periphery, the coke further than the ore. In the lower
portion of the shaft materials also get displaced towards
the periphery. In the axial zone the speed at which the mate-
rials were lowering was in some sections higher than at the
periphery. In the tuyere zone the movement of materials was
investigated by means of soundings inserted through the
tuyeres. It was found that radiation sources in one minute both
approach the tuyere nozzle and move away from it many times.
In the study of the motion of limestone on a furnace of medium
volume it was found that the speed with which it moves dec-
reases while it is being lowered; the limestone speed is maxi-
al between the first and second horizons. In the lower part
of the shaft at a distance of about 3.7 m from the wall limes-
tone gets lowered faster than at the periphery: the lowering
speed at a datum 20,520 at the periphery was 3 M/h, while at
a distance of 2.5 m from the wall it was about 5.5 m/h.
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4. motion of Cast Iron in a H?arth of a bar a Blast-
Furnac
By the method of radioactive indicators may be investiga-
ted both the intermixing of smelting products and the motion
of cast iron in the blast-furnace hearth.
The method is based on the following principle. A radio-
active isotope phosphorus-32 is introduced through the tuyere
into the liquid cast iron and slag, which is in the hearth.
Conclusions as to the nature of the motion of cast iron in
the hearth are reached by the results of measurement of radio-
active probes selected in definite time intervals. The present
work was conducted at the Ilich Plant blast-furnace having a
volume of 19719 cu. metres. The results of investigation are
shown on Fig. 7. Different amounts of the radioactive indica-
tor were applied in different tests. Therefore, on the axis
of ordinates of Fig. 7 is laid off the radioactivity of sample
expressed in percentages of the maximum radioactivity for each
test. The weight of cast iron output is taken to be 1004,ahile
the time of selpo'.ion of cast iron samples is also shown in
relative units, taking into account the duration of the out-
put.
On the basic of the investigation made it was established
that in the jntm-vaU between outputs cast iron in the hearth
of the blast-furnace is mixed poorely. Some mixing and evening
out of the temperature of cast iron and of the chemical com-
position takes place, in the main, in the period of its outlet,
as a result of the motion of cast iron in the hearth, and
while it passes through the cast iron tap. When it is let out
of the blast-furnace hearth, cast iron comes out first from
---4-- r %f the cast iron tap and last of all from the regi?
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of the hearth at the side of air heaters. In this process the
upper layers of cast iron move considerably faster than the
lower ones. 'Chen the central part of the furnace operate
actively and when the cast iron tap is in a normal state,the
rate with which the hearth is freed of cast iron is the s
both for a furnaoo with a volume of 19033 cu m and for a fur-
nace with a volume of 1,719 eu ma Practically from 10 to 15il
of cast iron, which did not co
e out during the output of cast
iron,rera1ns in a blast-furnaoe,which has a useful volume of
1033-1719 cu m, which does not influence to any considerable
degree the operation of the furnace.
From the point of view of completness of outflow of cast
iron out of a furnace during output there is no need in pro-
viding a second cast iron tap for furnaces with a volume of
2,286 ou m having a 1003 m hearth diameter. t7hen the furnace
a larger output and cast iron is let out frequently9 the
ormal working state of the tap can be ensured by the utiliza-
tion of high-quality carbon steel for the tap and of powerful
electrical guns (,with an S0 kg/cm2 piston pressure).
Cast iron is completely changed in the furnace on an
average c' from 2 to 3 outputs, although some insignificant
amount of cast iron still remains in the furnace. That is one
of the factors conditioning both the
blast-furnace hearth and the gradual
composition of cast iron.
thermal inertia of
change of the ohs
ical
The change of the temperature of cast iron whilo the
output proceeds is one of the indications of the completeness
With which the hearth is being freed of smelting products.
During cast iron output, especially on a large furnace, the
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evidences a local cooling of the hearth, remains unnoticed,
just the same as the beginning of important cooling of the
hearth. For the prevention and timely liquidation of possiblo
coolings and for the maintenance of a more stable heat state
of the hearth it is necessary to keep up constantly a greater
heat in the central part of the hearth and to heat the hearth
from tuyere to tuyere evenly, by means of selecting the cor-
responding systems of loading and operating duty of the ro-
tating charge distributor, as well as to equip the blast-
furnaceswith instruments for the automatic measurement and
recording of the temperature of cast iron and slag in the run
of the output.
5. Control of the Scouring of the Lining of Blaet-Furnao
At a number of plants the methods of radioactive inserts
and of radioactive sondage are used for controlling the wear
of lining of the hearth bottom and of i;he shaft of blast-
furnaces, in order to investigate the strength (resistance to
wear) of refractories and select a rational design of the
blast-furnace.
By the utilization of radioactive indicators quantitativ
data on the wear of a definite layer of shaft lining of a
blast-furnaoe can be otained and the time required fo.T th
destruction of the given layer determined.
The use of radioactive isotopes in the study of the wear
of blast-furnace hearth bottom linings led to the mastery of
the dynamics of wear and permitted to set up a rational ehapo
of the hearth bottom.
Hearth bottoms, which are cylindrical in form and have
coolers along the periphery of the lower part, have the gre,
test strength. Hearth bottoms having the shape of a trunca-
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tod cone offer less favourable conditions for cooling and got
destroyed quicker. It was found advisable to use radioactiv?
bsotopes for the control of scouring of blastmfurnaoe h arth
bottoms in those oases when the hearth bottom installed is Of
% now design. Lately such an investigation was conducted at
the Ilich plants where the hearth bottom was made of a high-
strength high?aluminous brick. Preliminary results indicate
that such a hearth bottom is stronger than a chamotto hearth
bottom. Due to the data of this work Design Offices have
provided stronger hearth bottoms.
II. STEEL SI LTING
1. The Study of the kbsorptiOn of Su1.phur Out of
Gasous Fuel in Sweltin Steel ii-r Op n-Hearth Furnaces
At the Stalinsk Iron and Steel Plant the mined coke and
blast?furnaoo gas, used in heating the Open-Hearth furnacesfl
has before the headpiece from 5 to 8 g of sulphur per cu mg
while before it enters the head ? about 0.8 g of sulphur per
ou m, In the process of smelting the sulphur is from its gasG?
our phase partially transformed into metal n due to which its
concentration in finished steel is raised.
Below are preeentodm a description of the method of deter-
urination of tho amounts of sulphaarfl which pass from the gas
into the charge in smelting in open-Hearth furnaces at the
Stalinsk Plant, and of the results obtained by it.
The method is based on the determination of the weight
of liquid metal and liquid slag in the furnace in the process
of smelting and upon a subsequent preparation of a material
balance, by sulphurs with the utilimation of the data of
chcmioal 1?'9 -wan o n{? oammnl rdaA of both metal and slag.
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The weight of both
d slag is date
eta
fined by tho
method of Isotope Dilution. In experimental melts a radicactiro
cobalt in a non-metallic state was introduced, to an aaouit
of 0.1 m Cu per ton of metal, into liquid cast iron befoxo
it is poured into the Openmfearth furnace. In the prooeM of
smelting metal samples were selected in the furnaao and urod
Into the cast iron would. Cylindrical, ingots oo obtained aero
placed In the contra of a protecting chamber, along whose of
oumference 12 gas counters were arranged. As the melting went
on the radioactivity of metal samples kept on decreasing due
to the increase of the amount of metal in melting scrap.
The weight of the total amount of liquid metal in t
Nt in the furnace at the time instant t was calculated from
the results of measurements of ingot radioactivity by means
of the following equatio
n00 io where
t
No m is the weight of the liquid cast iro
furnace, in tons;
io - is the speed of counting fro
in imp/min.g.;
poured into the
a sample of that cast iron,
i$ a is the speed of counting from a sample of metal selected
out of the furnace in a ti
e instant t, imp/min.g.
The changa of weight of liquid metal in the run of one of
the experimental melts is shosn graphically on Fig. 9.
For the determination of the weight of liquid slag In
the furnace radioactive calcium was used; it was placed into
petal cartridges as CaO and arranged on the surface of solid
cage materials on the bottom of the Open BIoarth before cast
s poured. The CaP content in the final slag was 7 m Cu
per ton.
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As the melting went on slag samples were taken. The measu-
rements of calcium radioactivity in slag samples, together
with the calculation of the weight of the wetted slag, per t-
ted to determine the weight of liquid slag in the furnace in
the process of smelting.
On Figs 10 on ooordinates counting speed ? time is given
the curve of dilution of radiooaloium in slag in one of the
experimental melts.
In all test melts slag was weighed after the melt was
completed and the ingot weight determined. That permitted
to correct results of radioactivity measurements. The totality
of experimental data on radioactivity and of the results of
the chemical analysis of all samples of metal and slag for
sulphur content permitted to make up balance sheets of melts
for that element. Thus, the amount of sulphur, which went over
from the fuel into the charge, can be determined as the diffe-
rence between the actual weight of sulphur in the metal-slag
system and the weight of sulphur carried into the furnace along
with charge materials.
12 melts have been investigated by the method described.
It was found that during the periods of heaping up, warming
and pouring cast iron the open-hearth bath consumes on the
average about 3 kg of sulphur per hour, or approximately 11 kg
during that entire period. Met makes up approximately 15%
of the total weight of sulphur in the metal-slag syste
During the melting period the bath consumes so
of sulphur, the amounts oonsu
the sulphur content in the
ewMt mor
ed increasing with the growth of
ixed coke and blast-furnace gas.
The results of oaloulations indicate that during the pe-
riod of metlink. the mat1.. nn An awranv-ova_ 41
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of sulphur from the fuel, while in the period of final
ing about 105 kg of
olt?
eulphug passes over from the
etal into the slag. In all during the melt from fuel into
etoel passes over about 20 of sulphur, which is appg? RS?
tely 0.01%.
Usually in melts made under conditions as described ebcv?
the ready metal has a sulphur content of 0?04"0 Thus9 on
the average, approximately one third of that amount is the
oomponcnt that eats into steal from the fuel. However, if we
turn from average values to the consideration of individual,
olts, then we will note that in some oases during the period
of final malting there is observed a considerable decrease of
the sulphur content in the metal. Soft in one of the test
site in this period about 13 kg of 'o sulphur was re-
moved from the steel, i.e., almost 0.010 The result obtained
indicates that there is a possibility to considerably lover
the steel sulphur content by means of bettering the slag
regime. It was found that the greatest negative effect upon
the process of desulphuratiorq is produced by the slag silica
content, the silica entering the slag from the ore charged
into the furnace. In that connection the Stalinsk Plant intro-
duced the practice of changing a part of the ore by cinderss
which contain no silica. Such a modification of the teohnology
ensures a substantial lowering of the metal sulphur content
and a lessening of the duration of melts.
At the present time operitione9 in W. ',Oh the weight
of liquid steel in the furnace has to be de'ermined, are
carried out by the aitilimation of radioactive ruthenium in
place of radioeobalt. In that deter ination the intensity
of radiation of metal samples is measured by means of a soi
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 Approved For Release 2009/04/29: CIA-RDP80T00246A007900090002-4
tillation counter, which permits to decrease more than gn
order the concentration of the radioactive isotope in the
Metal.
2. The Studer of S1Ca rormatlon in Saslting steel in
Open -Hearth Furnaces
The "Asovstal" Iron and Steel Plant processes cast iron
with a high phosphorus contont o Therefore 9 tho rationaliastion
of the Open-Hearth furnace slag regime is of especial intGreet
to it, in Oder to most effectively dephosphorlse the petal,
s well as to obtain slags with a high content of phosphorus
pentoxide, used as agricultural fertiliser.
In the open?h@arth shop a technology was specified, by
which in the furnace, after the ready steel is let out, somo
ount of slag is left. That
ease tre ie aimed to fasoilitato
the foreation of slag during the welting period in the next
elt. The optimal conditions for the utiliMation Of such t
slag were worked out by means of the method of radioactive
isotopes. To the slag, which was left in the furnace, radioao-
tive sulphur rims added, and then, as the prooese of melting
was being carried on, slag samples were tckeno By the results
of measurements of the radioactivity of these samples it was
established that the earlier the slam which was left over in
the furnace, begins to melt, the more suooessfml is the flow
of the dephosphorization process.
In this co
91c4, which is seed from the furnace in the final period
of bath refining, may again be need in subsequent melts as a
slag fore
ng osterial. In thin ease the slag, which prvioisly
d=P@d on the hsap9 now beoo es a circulating material,
& percito to educe the oonsu ntioln n? '21M ,fn4-,,M- ft-a
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 Approved For Release 2009/04/29: CIA-RDP80T00246AO07900090002-4
the use of such a formed slag should fascilitate the melting
of ore and limestone charged into the furnace and, therefore,
should better the conditions of dephosphorization of metal
during the.initial period of melti
Below are described tests on Open Hearth furnaces of
the 'Azovstal" Iron and Steel Plant, in which the speed of
molting of the circulating slag and its effect upon the run
of melting were determined. For that purpose the circulating
slag was traced with radioactive phosphorus. From 30 to 40
mutes before the last polished slag was skimmed, into the
metal bath have been introduced a few grams of iron phosphide
enriched P32. In the interval up to the and of the melt radio-
phosphorus was oxidized and was uniformly spread in the liquid
slag volume. When poured out of the furnace the slag was
subjected to crushing in the ram engine shop to sizes of 30-
100 mm and was then used in melts. The amount of this slag,
which was charged into the furnace, was from 1.3 to 40 by
weight of the metallic part of the charge.
The judgment of the speed of melting of the solid slag
was made by the radioactivity of slag samples, which were
taken from the furnace in the process of melting. Tests have
shown that the first samples of slag, taken directly after
the pouring of cast iron, were characterized by a maximal
radioactivity. That can be illustrated on Fig. 11, on which
is given a curve indicating the variation of radioactivity
of slag samples with the run of the melting. From an analysis
of this Fig. it follows that the circulating slag almost
entirely passes into the liquid state directly after the
pouring of the cast iron into the furnace. Thus, an analysis
of the above mentioned tests shows that the use of circula-
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 Approved For Release 2009/04/29: CIA-RDP80T00246AO07900090002-4
ting slag should lead to the contraction of the duration of
melting. A comparison of melts made by the usual and by the
new technology corroborated that assertion. It showed that in
the last case on the average the duration of melts has been
lessened considerably. Taking into account the lessening si-
multaneously of the consumption of limestone, it may be con-
sidered that the new technology possesses important economic
advantages. At the present time it is being mastered by the
plant.
3. The Effect of the Quantity of Slay Upon the Quality
of Steel in the Period of Pure Boiling
At the "Azovstal" Iron and Steel Plant the radioactive
isotope of phosphorus was also utilized for the determination
of the weight of slag in an open-hearth furnace in the period
of pure boiling, Radlophosphorus was introduced into the
furnace in the middle of that period. The weight of slag was
determined by the measurement of the radioactivity of its
samples.
Tests have shown that the flow of processes of steel
melts and the quality of the ready metal both depend upon
the quantity of slag in the furnace. So, Fig, 12 shows that
the speed of oxidation of carbon, when all other conditions
are the same, Is a maximum for mean quantities, of slag com-
prising about 60 of the weight of the metal. Both for greater
and for smaller quantities of slag the oxidation is retarded.
It is interesting to note that with such an optimal
quantity of slag in the furnace there also is observed a maxi-
mal speed in the heating of the metal and a highest output of
steel of the first class. That can be illustrated by Fig. 139
on which the output of first class rails is shown to be a func?
tion of the weight of slag in the furnace
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 Approved For Release 2009/04/29: CIA-RDP80T00246AO07900090002-4
Conclusions
The examples presented in the report indicate the effect-
iveness of the utilization of radioactive isotopes in the so-
lution of technological problems of metallurgical production.
The further advance of wor on the utilization of the
attainments of nuclear physics for the benefit of metallurgy
will, seemingly9 to a considerable degree depend upon the r
suite of the activities of scientists and engineers in the
field of physics of the isotopy of elements and of nuclear
radiation, as well as the achievements in the design of radio-
metric apparatus and of individual nuclear physics installa
tions.Here should, in the first place, be named such questions
as the availability of radioactive and stable isotopes of a
series of light elements, which can be handled conveniently,
the design of high-sensitive portable radiometric apparatus
which will make possible to conduct measurements on a wide
range of temperatures, the creation of small-size powerful
neutron sources. With greater intensity should the development
of questions connected with radiation safety in working with
isotopes and radiation, under conditions of industrial produc-
tion, be continued. Exchanges of experiences obtained in
various countries on the above-indicated questions of applied
uclear physics may suostantially accelerate the advance of
this field of science and technique.
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 Approved For Release 2009/04/29: CIA-RDP80T00246AO07900090002-4
Fi . . Distance from ra11,
Fi . 6. 1) Horizons;
2) To tuyere No. 8;
3) To tuy r No. 9;
4) To tuyere No. 8;
To horizons I-V
Fi o 1) Radioactivity of cast iro
tests, 00;
2) Weight of cast iron melt, 0.
E . 1) Scrap smelting melt No. 316l;
2) Weight in tons;
3) Time in minutes.
Li .10. 1) Melt No. 3149;
2) Dilution Ca43;
2) Im n.
0
3) Time, rain.
IMP.
Fem. 1)
a
2) Time, hour-
3) Pouring
I II III
cast iron
in;
F ?12? 1) 0 - rail stool
X - loci carbon atecla
2) Speed of b rninj of oarbon, 0 Cmin.;
3) Pero?nt of 0184 fro weight of met&lo
Fi 130 1) Percent of first clasp rails;
2) Percent of slag from weight of metal.
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 Approved For Release 2009/04/29: CIA-RDP80T00246AO07900090002-4
Pic a I
I'uc e .S
PYlc a
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 Approved For Release 2009/04/29: CIA-RDP80T00246AO07900090002-4
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 Approved For Release 2009/04/29: CIA-RDP80T00246AO07900090002-4
/ant iri~.L1
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1l7nn
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9
100 200
3 BP".P,wir
Pic, 16
270
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 Approved For Release 2009/04/29: CIA-RDP80T00246AO07900090002-4
P;ic, II
p -peibcoB07 cmaie
1 X -,anoyv epoaucmaA CTCJ7b
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0,009
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Pvcm 12
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 Approved For Release 2009/04/29: CIA-RDP80T00246AO07900090002-4
,92, 5
85,01
3 4,5 6 75
2 % umaxo om 8eca Awemanna
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