Effect of Fe on Carbothermic Reduction of MnO

The effect of Fe addition on the carbothermic reduction of MnO has been investigated from kinetic viewpoint in the temperature ranges of 1100–1300°C. The addition of Fe affected the carburization rate of MnO at all the experimental temperatures. The reduction degree and carburization rate of MnO were increased with adding metallic Fe, and the most influential experiment was confirmed at the temperatures where Fe–C melt could be formed. It was confirmed that the direct carburization rate of MnO by dissolved carbon in Fe is faster than indirect carburization rate by CO gas. The carburization behavior of MnO by Fe–C melt were considerably different at 1200°C and 1300°C, although Fe was melted with carbon in both temperatures which are above 1150°C. The results could be explained by not only melting rate of Fe–C but also melting point of (Mn,Fe)-carbide.