Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
7b6cb6f3-857f-4ffb-a078-ee33be6ead26
Materials
Associated ID
fba554c7-cf79-4bd0-8fbe-00b9eba7f2f8
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This process refers to the production activity of producing 1 kg of ferrotungsten by the electro-aluminothermic process. Ferrotungsten is an alloy composed of tungsten and iron with a tungsten content of 80%, mainly used as an alloy additive for tungsten-bearing alloy steel. The dataset includes raw and auxiliary materials such as tungsten concentrate, aluminum granules, iron ore, steel scrap, and lime, and energy inputs such as electricity; the outputs include the product ferrotungsten, the wastes slag and dust-collection ash (which can be recovered to cement plants for comprehensive utilization), as well as emissions to the atmosphere. The data inventory is formed by merging data from multiple sources, and the data representativeness is optimized using industry standards such as the 3140 Ferroalloy Industry Coefficient Handbook.
Activity Description
This activity uses the electro-aluminothermic method to produce ferrotungsten. This process uses scheelite as the main raw material, aluminum particles as the main reducing agent, and steel scraps, iron ore and lime. Smelting is carried out in an electric arc furnace, and the arc provides the main heat to melt the charge and form a high-temperature molten pool. In the molten pool, aluminum reduces the tungsten oxide in the tungsten concentrate into metallic tungsten, while the chemical heat released by the thermite reaction serves as an important supplement. The reduced tungsten dissolves in the molten iron provided by the steel scraps, eventually forming a ferrotungsten alloy. The slag separates from the alloy due to differences in density.
Process Description
Ferrotungsten is an alloy composed of tungsten and iron, containing 80% tungsten. It is mainly used as an alloy additive for tungsten-containing alloy steel.
Time period
2000
2026
Geography
China
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
This process uses scheelite as raw material, arc heating to melt the raw material, aluminothermic reduction, high molten pool temperature, good separation of slag and iron, high tungsten content in the product and low content of harmful impurities. It is one of the production methods to obtain high-quality products.