Evaluation of nigeria direct reduction (dr) steelmaking slag mineral phase chemistry

Fifteen prepared field samples of Delta Steel Company (DSC) direct reduction (DR) steelmaking slag were studied with an energy dispersive electron microprobe including photo microscopy. Belite, melilte, merwinite (silicates), periclase, perovskite and wustite were the mineral phases present in the slag. Slag composition elements were very highly differentially concentrated in the mineral phases. Mean phase concentration of SiO2 in, the silicates was (30.69%), periclase (0.04%), perovskite (3.71%), wustite (0.26%); CaO in silicates (50.52%), periclase (0.99%), perovskite (42.38%), wustite (1.44%); Al2O3 in silicates (8.78%), perovskite (6.75%), wustite (0.49%); TiO2 in silicates (0.05%), perovskite (30.45%), wustite (0.16%); FeO in silicates (3.53%), periclase (4.40), perovskite (11.92%), wustite (60.39%); Cr203 in periclase (0.01%), perovskite (0.54%), wustite (0.66%); MnO in silicates (0.16%), periclase (0.39%), wustite (3.17%); MgO in silicates (4.36%), periclase (94.97%), perovskite (0.41%), wustite (33.27%); Na2O in silicates (0.05%), periclase (0.61%), wustite (0.59%); P2O5 in silicates (0.67%), perovskite (0.30%); V2O5 in wustite (0.01%). This overall high elemental concentration of the slag and varying concentrations in the different mineral phases confirming its similarity with cement clinkers, made it useful in the blast furnace iron and steel making, slag ceramics, slag cement and phosphate fertilizer industries.