Manganese is often used (mainly as charge) when producing precision alloys, structural and electrical steels, cast irons, and other materials. However, manganese ore mined in Russia contains a large amount of phosphorus, which adversely affects the physicochemical properties of the finished product.
Specialists from NUST MISIS found a way to reduce the phosphorus percentage in manganese concentrate by blowing the ore with carbon monoxide at 1600–1630°C. They also established that the amount of phosphorus removed depends on the ratio of basic oxides to acidic ones in the charge used. With this development, researchers plan to introduce lean or off-grade manganese ores into high-quality steel production. From them it is already possible to remove 20–40% of phosphorus and add the resulting material to ordinary concentrates.
