Effect of alkaline and alkaline earth metal sulfide addition on the copper distribution between FeS flux and carbon saturated liquid iron

Measurements have been made to study the effect of the addition of an alkaline or alkaline earth metal sulfide such as Li₂S, K₂S, MgS, CaS, SrS or BaS to FeS flux on the copper distribution ratio between FeS flux and carbon saturated liquid iron at 1 673 K. Since solubility of MgS and CaS is limited, no apparent effect on copper distribution ratio was observed. Addition of Li₂S, K₂S, SrS or BaS to FeS increased the copper distribution ratio, L_Cu = (mass%Cu)_flux/[mass%Cu]_Fe, and reached maximum value at a certain content of these additives. The maximum values of L_Cu measured in each flux were 30, 20, 22 and 19 in FeS-LiS_0.5, -KS_0.5, -SrS and -BaS fluxes, respectively. The sulfur content also decreased by the addition of these sulfides.