Contribution on the influence of steel ladle processing (LF) upon the nitrogen removal rate

Nitrogen, which is present in the composition of steel either dissolved or as a gas, represents an element, which is generally unwanted, except for the cases when the aim is to obtain nitrides or to increase the austenitic domain in stainless steels. The paper shows the results obtained in increasing the nitrogen removal rate during the secondary treatment of steel meant for oil industry pipes, into a Ladle Furnace-type installation. The processed data allowed the determination of variation domains, respectively graphical and analytical correlations between the nitrogen removal rate and the parameters of the secondary treatment process (bubbling duration, steel temperature and argon pressure)