Abstract
An industrial oxidative ladle refining process of metallurgical grade silicon has been experimentally examined. An extensive industrial sampling campaign has been performed and samples of silicon and slag have been analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The elemental concentrations of 45 elements have been evaluated with respect to sampling time during the refining process. Major elements, such as Ca and Al, as well as trace elements are studied. The refining kinetics is discussed and groups of elements with different behaviors are distinguished. For 21 elements, which are responsive to the refining process, kinetic parameters are established. The alkaline and alkaline earth elements are identified as having the highest refining rates, whereas the rare earth elements are slower and most transition metals are quite unresponsive to the oxidative refining operation.
