Thermodynamic and Experimental Modeling of the Ferroboron Production Process by the Carbothermal Method

This paper presents the results of thermodynamic and experimental studies of the ferroboron production process by the carbothermic method aimed at improving the properties of ferroalloys and expanding their application in various industrial sectors. Thermodynamic modeling of the process was carried out using the TERRA software package, which allowed for a detailed analysis of phase changes and chemical reactions occurring during the reduction process. This enabled the optimization of conditions for producing ferroboron with the required composition and properties. The physical modeling was conducted on a rudd-thermal furnace with a transformer power of 250 kVA, providing the possibility of studying the process under real production conditions with precise control over the parameters. A feature of the conducted research was the use of coke from the low-ash coal of the Shubarkul deposit in Kazakhstan as a reducer, which reduced raw material costs and improved the economic efficiency of the process. In addition, various natural boron sources were used for the study, allowing the influence of different types of borate ores on the ferroboron production process to be examined. Experimental data showed that using coke from Shubarkul coal and borate ores, ferroalloy with boron content of 14-15% could be produced, which is highly effective for application in various industries. The ferroboron obtained during the experiments was tested as a modifier at a local machine-building enterprise engaged in the production of cast iron grinding balls. The test results showed that the use of ferroboron significantly improved the operational characteristics of the products: the hardness of the surface of the balls increased by 8%, and impact resistance doubled. These results confirm the high effectiveness of using ferroboron as a modifier to enhance the strength and wear resistance of materials, which is especially important in the machine-building industry. Additionally, the research confirmed the potential for using ferroboron in other industries where the improvement of mechanical properties of materials is required, such as steel and alloy production, as well as other metallic products. Overall, the conducted work demonstrated that the carbothermic process using local raw materials and borate ores is a promising and economically advantageous method for producing high-quality ferroboron, opening up new opportunities for its application in industry.