Production of zirconia from zircon using a plasma-rotating furnace
Address:
Zhangfu YuanInstitute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesZhong Guan Cun, Haidian DistrictP.O. Box 353, Beijing 100080ChinaTel: 86-10-62527440
Fax: 86-10-62527440
e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Desilicated zirconia (88.60–94.21 mass% ZrO2) and stabilized zirconia (ZrO2≥ 91.54 mass%, MgO ≤ 5.39 mass%) have been produced successfully from zircon in a 150 kW plasma facility. Effects of temperature, time and carbon content on the removal of SiO2 from zircon have been investigated. According to preliminary applications in continuous-casting nozzles at a steel works, the obtained desilicated ZrO2 can substitute for traditional ZrO2 made by the chemical-purifying method. The main characteristics of the trial product meet the requirements for industrial production.
