Role in the project:

Prof. Valentina Colla from SSSA coordinates the project E-ECO Downstream.

The SSSA provides process analysis to develop concepts for heat recovery and assess feasibility and effects of hot charging. Scenario analyses considering future evolution of energy generation capabilities.

Key epxertise and equipment:

Process modelling and simulation via different dedicated simulations environment (e.g. Ansys and Comsol Multiphysics, OpenModelica, Aspen Plus). Modelling and assessment of hydrogen embrittlement phenomena in steel products. LCA analyses.

Acciaierie d’Italia S.p.A. in Amministrazione Straordinaria (ADI in A.S.) is one of the main Italian steel companies with an integrated steel route among the biggest in Europe. It is specialized in carbon steel flat products, with a rated production capacity close to 6 Mt of crude steel per year. ADI in A.S. is made up of three main facilities placed in Taranto, Genova and Novi Ligure and a series of other service centres in Italy and France. In 2021, ADI founded a new Research and Development centre equipped with 15 laboratories with more than 20 specialized researchers and technicians, that are involved in the chemical and physical analysis of materials and contribute to the green and digital transition of the steel sector through innovation, by internal activities and participating in several European funded projects.

Role in the project:

Study about the use of H₂ and biofuel (up to 100 %) in ADI’s existing reheating furnace, considering specific consumption of these fuels, their effect on pollution emissions, and on product quality. In addition, a study on heat recovery and hot charging in ADI reheating furnaces.

Key expertise and equipment:

Support on definition of process parameter for simulation and experimental investigations. Lab equipment for material characterization as thermogravimetric analysis under relevant atmospheres and microscopy analysis on products. Support on evaluations on heat recovery and hot charging.

Role in the project:

Study on waste heat recovery for heating and electricity generation regarding the entire steel plant and combining the holistic analysis with biofuel heating and increasing electrical consumption.

Key expertise and equipment:

Support on process parameter definition for simulation and experimental investigations. R&D departments for investigating energy use and generation, environmental impact, and lab for product quality analysis. Support on evaluations on heat recovery and hot charging.

Role in the project:

Contribute with lab scale experiments, CFD modelling, element solution for the hybrid furnace and expertise in understanding and evaluating functionality under industrial operating conditions.

Key expertise and equipment:

Technology provider, heating element solutions for reheating furnaces. Expertise in the area of industrial heating technology solutions.

Role in the project:

Consultant in design, development and manufacturing of 3D-printed burners and recuperators.

Key expertise and equipment:

Long term experience with 3D-printed burners and recuperators with investigation of material behaviour such as Ni-base alloys and ceramics.

Role in the project:

Conduct research on the topic of hybrid heating. This includes functionality, energy efficiency, heat transfer, energy demand, energy balance and material quality of the hybrid furnace by preparing for the tests, carrying out the tests and analyzing the outcome of the tests.

Key expertise and equipment:

The pilot WBF will be retrofitted to provide hybrid heating. Two zones heated by air-fuel combustion of hydrogen and soaking zone will be heated by resistive heating. Expertise in pilot infrastructure, pilot operation, material science, energy, and furnace technology.

For more than 50 years VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut GmbH (BFI) has been proposing and developing solutions to meet current and future R&D-challenges of steel and process industries. BFI is specialized and experienced in translating new findings into industrial practice.

As a non-profit research institute BFI has close contacts with producers, suppliers in steel and process industry as well as with research institutes and universities. Through BFI´s shareholder Steel Institute VDEh is connected close with the steel industry, its federations and associations. BFI addresses and focusses its work on emerging issues of major relevance in areas such as energy efficiency, process optimisation, measuring and instrumentation technology, and industry 4.0.

BFI is experienced in leading or joining powerful consortiums in relevant national or European research programmes and projects to tackle new research topics together with partners in industry, research and science.

Role in the project:

WP Leader of WPs 1, 5 and 7. Evaluation of high temperature degradation processes on products, burner and furnace materials, modelling of furnaces conditions under different heating conditions. Testing of burner in test rig at industrial scale, modelling of heating behaviour in test rig and industrial application.

Key expertise and equipment:

Lab equipment for and deep expertise in thermogravimetrical analysis under relevant atmospheres, descaler, AI assisted CFD simulation and modelling of burners and furnaces. Test rig for heating systems (gas burner, electric heating equipment) with measuring equipment (CCD camera, water cooled UV-camera, gas analysers, …).

VDM Metals, based in Werdohl, is part of the Acerinox S.A. Group.

The company develops and manufactures nickel, cobalt, copper and zirconium alloys as well as high-alloy special stainless steels. For over 90 years, VDM Metals has been supplying sheet, strip, bar, wire, welding consumables and powder to customers in the chemical and plant engineering, power generation, oil and gas, electrical engineering and electronics, automotive and aerospace industries. VDM Metals employs around 2,000 people worldwide.

Role in the project:

Production and characterization of Ni-base powder alloys for AM process. Powder supply for AM-produced burner. Adjustment of alloy composition to improve high temperature properties.

Key expertise and equipment:

Expertise in high performance Ni-base alloys. ALD VIGA35 atomizer and state-of-the-art equipped powder laboratory (chemical composition, particle size distribution, morphology, flowability, apparent density). Development of new alloys and optimization of existing alloys according to required properties.