How is low-carbon ferrochromium produced from chromite and ferrochrome silicon?

To produce low-carbon ferrochromium using chromite and ferrochrome silicon, the materials are melted together in an open electric-arc furnace.1

In this process, the chromite and lime are combined and brought into contact with the ferrochrome silicon. This reaction allows for the production of a low-carbon ferrochromium alloy, typically achieving carbon levels as low as 0.05 percent. Ferrochrome silicon itself is an intermediate material produced by adding silica to the smelting charge, resulting in an alloy that contains 38–42 percent silicon and less than 0.1 percent carbon.12