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(also basic Bessemer process), a method of converting molten pig iron into steel
without the consumption of fuel (see CONVERTER PRODUCTION). The process,
developed in 1878 by S. G. Thomas, competed successfully with the Bessemer
process because it made possible the conversion of pig iron containing up to 2
percent P. It came to be widely used, since it produced cheaper steel than other
methods.
También conocido como proceso Bessemer básico, es un método de
conversión de fundición de arrabio en acero sin el consumo de combustible.
El proceso, desarrollado en 1878 por S.G. Thomas, compitió con éxito con el
proceso Bessemer porque hizo posible la conversión de arrabio que
contuviera hasta dos por ciento de fósforo. Llegó a ser ampliamente usado ya
que producía acero más barato que otros métodos.
Initially, the Thomas process was mainly used in Germany, which had large reserves
of high-phosphorus ores from Lorraine. The first melts were made in 1879. The
process was introduced in Russia in the 1880’s at the Taganrog, Kerch’, and
Mariupol’ steel mills. By the end of the 19th century, 25 percent of the world output
of steel was produced using the Thomas-Gilchrist process, making it second to the
Bessemer process.
Inicialmente, el proceso Thomas fue usado principalmente en Alemania, quien
tenía grandes reservas minerales de hierro (ricos en fósforo) con alto
contenido fosfórico en Lorraine. Las primeras fundiciones fueron hechas en
1870. El proceso fue introducido en Rusia en la década de 1880 en los molinos
de acero en Taganrog, Kerch y Mariupol. Hacia el final del siglo XIX, el 25 por
ciento de la producción mundial de acero fue producido usando el proceso
Thomas-Gilchrist, haciéndolo el segundo respecto al proceso Bessemer.
Thomas steel contains somewhat larger amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus than
open-hearth steel, which tends to increase the brittleness and cold-shortness of the
metal and limits its use. In the early 20th century, the Thomas-Gilchrist process was
surpassed in volume of production by the open-hearth process, and its use
continued to decline over the succeeding years. By 1974, Thomas steel accounted
for less than 2 percent of world steel production.
El acero Thomas contiene grandes más grandes de nitrógeno y fósforo que el
acero producido por el horno de hogar abierto, el cual suele incrementar la
fragilidad y las bajas temperaturas del metal y limita su uso. En los principios
del siglo XX, el proceso Thomas-Gilchrist fue superado en volumen de
producción por el horno de hogar abierto, y su uso continuó disminuyendo a
lo largo de los años siguientes. En 1974, el acero Thomas representó menos
del dos por ciento de la producción mundial de acero.
The course of the Thomas-Gilchrist process is determined primarily by the chemical
composition of the phosphorus-rich pig iron used. The Thomas converter is similar
in design to the Bessemer converter, except that it is larger; the essential difference
between the two is in the lining. The basic lining of the Thomas converter, thoroughly
calcined dolomite, makes it possible to charge the furnace with lime (about 12–15
percent of the volume of pig iron) for slagging and the removal of phosphorus. After
charging, molten pig iron at a temperature of 1180°-1250°C is poured into the
converter, which is tipped up to its vertical operating position and the blast is turned
on. During the blow, Si and Mn are fully oxidized and Fe, C, and P are partially
oxidized. The blow is continued until a carbon content of 0.05 percent is achieved,
since intensive oxidation of phosphorus (up to 0.04–0.05 percent) does not begin
until near the end of carbon oxidation. Sulfur is only partially removed from the metal.
During the Thomas-Gilchrist process it is often necessary to cool the metal by adding
ore, scale, or scrap. At the end of the heat, the metal is deoxidized and recarburized
using coke, graphite, ther-moanthracite, or charcoal in paper packages. The yield of
acceptable metal is 85–89 percent, and the yield of Thomas slag, which is used as
phosphorus fertilizer, is 18–20 percent of the weight of the metal. For converters
having a capacity of 18–70 tons, the blow lasts 16–22 min, and the total length of a
heat is 25–40 min. The smelted steel is used for rolled stock, sheet, roofing iron,
wire, and rails.
FUENTE:
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Thomas-Gilchrist+Process
Oiks, G. N. Proizvodstvo stali. Moscow, 1974.
N. A. MEZENIN