Ladle preheating is a requirement for steelmaking operations. However, standard preheating technology is unfavourable regarding process efficiency, energy consumption and emissions. This project aims at testing the necessities, technical requirements and opportunities of a new ladle preheating procedure using plasma. It will investigate these by combining engineering, numerical modelling, laboratory characterization, industrial trials and pilot testing. A future implementation would lead to flexible preheating procedures (drying, first and all subsequent preheating) with increased refractory lifetime from minimized decarburization and wear, appropriate heating of the different refractory parts, minimized emissions and improved cost efficiency due to less gas consumption and higher heating rates.

Bando:
Research Fund for Coal and Steel - RFCS-2019

Role of the Polytechnic:
Partner

Scientific coordinator of the Polytechnic:
Prof. Raffaele Pio Iavagnilio – DMMM

SSD:
ING-IND 17 “Industrial mechanical engineering plants”