Integrated Experimental High Temperature Viscosity Measurement and Modeling Research in Multicomponent Slag System

Viscosity is a critical property of slag, essential in pyrometallurgical operations and phase equilibria research. Accurate viscosity values are necessary for reliable modeling and process optimization. To achieve this, an integrated experimental and modeling approach is applied. However, many viscosity datasets used in model development are prone to errors due to experimental inaccuracies, affecting model reliability. Common sources of inaccuracy include poor control over slag composition, crucible dissolution, shifts in Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ ratios due to oxygen partial pressure variations, challenges in measuring highly viscous slags, and the inability to quench samples for compositional analysis. To address these issues, this study refines an existing methodology to generate consistent and accurate viscosity data. A coupled viscosity measurement and electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) method is introduced to improve compositional accuracy. Preliminary experimental and modeling work focused on the Al₂O₃–CaO–SiO₂ ternary system to validate the methodology. This research demonstrates the ability to obtain reliable experimental data, which will be used to optimize existing viscosity models. In-house experimental data, along with literature data, will be employed to optimize viscosity models for fully liquid slags within the Cu₂O–PbO–ZnO–FeO–Fe₂O₃–CaO–Al₂O₃–MgO–SiO₂ multicomponent system. This chapter presents an overview of recent progress in this research.