Ceramic Foam Filter Micropores as Sites for Liquid Inclusion Retention

Abstract

In steel foundries, ceramic filters are often used to capture non-metallic inclusions. It is well documented that solid inclusions are captured and retained within the filter macropores at the metal-refractory interface. However, liquid inclusions appear to be captured and retained by two mechanisms: one within the filter web micropore structure and another as a liquid film at the metal-filter macropore interface. Experiments were carried out to study the removal of various non-metallic liquid inclusions by magnesia-stabilized zirconia filters. The results documented the effective removal of liquid inclusions in all experiments. Samples were extracted from filter element to investigate the inclusion attachment mechanism during deep bed filtration. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and associated scanning electron microscopy was employed to evaluate the inclusion attachment mechanism with the ceramic filters. Liquid inclusion retention in the filter micropores followed an exponential trend from entry to exit side of the filter, until the micropores became completely saturated. After complete saturation, the retained inclusion distribution remained constant through the thickness of the filter. Filters were found to capture the liquid inclusions, drawing them into the open micropores due to inclusion-refractory favorable wetting conditions. Once the accessible micropores were fully saturated, liquid inclusion films developed at the metal-filter macropore interface, increasing the possibility for the release of large liquid inclusions from the filter.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Research Center/Lab(s)

Peaslee Steel Manufacturing Research Center

Comments

The authors wish to gratefully acknowledge the financial support and technical guidance from the industry mentoring committee of Peaslee Steel Manufacturing Research Center, Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Keywords and Phrases

Capturing Mechanism; Filter Micropores; Filtration; Non-Metallic Inclusions; Removal Kinetics; Steel

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1939-5981; 2163-3193

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2021 Springer, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

04 Mar 2021

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