Primary Metallurgy and Metallurgical Processes – PM2P
The process step “primary metallurgy” involves the processing of iron ore to hot metal or sponge iron and the further treatment to crude steel. The focus of the research group PM2P is the optimization of energy and raw material efficiency as well as emission reduction in the steel industry. The results are used for the enhancement of existing processes as well as the development and implementation of new technologies.
Fields of Research
Reduction
Metallurgy
Steelmaking
Metallurgy
Fields of Research
Reduction Metallurgy
The conversion of iron oxides to metallic iron is the most energy intensive process step of all steel production routes, which are based on iron ore as ferrous feedstock. Projects of the research field are related to the characterization of ferrous burden materials and reducing agents for the blast furnace as well as direct and smelting reduction technologies in order to predict their behavior during processing. Furthermore, the use of hydrogen as a reducing agent for new direct reduction and direct steelmaking technologies are explored. The methods applied for that encompass advanced analytical methods for raw material characterization. Experimental simulation of ironmaking processes is a key competence, which is supported by mathematical simulation and modelling tools.
Current research projects
Characterization of Coke and Char
Sinter Characterization
Fine ore reduction with hydrogen by fluidized bed technology
Hydrogen plasma smelting reduction – Direct steel production
Steelmaking Metallurgy
The projects in this research field are related to crude steel production technologies and slags for steelmaking. A thermodynamic and kinetic model of the LD converter is under development, which allows the simulation not only of end blow temperature and composition of steel and slag, but also the behaviour of these parameters as well as dissolution and melting of charge materials during the heat. Experiments and thermodynamic modelling are applied for the investigation of the dissolution of slag forming agents containing CaO and MgO for primary and secondary metallurgical slags. New methods are under development for the determination of liquid slag properties in order to quantify physical and chemical data like diffusion coefficient and activity of elements.
Current research projects
Thermodynamic and kinetic modelling of the LD converter process
Dissolution behavior of slag forming agents in steelmaking slags
New methods for determination of liquid slags properties
Research Associates
Head
Johannes Schenk
Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn.Primary Metallurgy and Metallurgical Processes
Scientists
Elizaveta Cheremisina
Dr.Post-Doc in Area 2 - K1-MET GmbH
PhD-candidates
Felix Hoffelner
Dipl.-Ing.PhD-candidate - Primary Metallurgy and Metallurgical Processes
Christian Illmaier
Dipl.-Ing.PhD-candidate - Hydrogen Plasma Smelting Reduction
Bernd Taferner
Dipl.-Ing.PhD-candidate - Primary Metallurgy and Metallurgical Processes
