Researchers traveling: European Congress of Iron and Steelmaking 2024

Two postdoctoral researchers from the Unit of Process Metallurgy at the University of Oulu recently presented their innovative research at the European Congress of Iron and Steelmaking (ECIC2024), held in Bardolino, Italy, from October 16 to 18, 2024. Organized by Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia, the conference brought together over 240 attendees from 27 countries, gathering experts and industry professionals to discuss advancements in metallurgical science.
Postdoctoral researchers Dr. Anne Heikkilä andDr. Ahmed Abdelrahim in conference in Italy.

Dr. Ahmed Abdelrahim, a postdoctoral researcher, presented his study titled "Influence of Hydrogen Injection on Basic Iron Ore Sinter Reduction at Blast Furnace Center Conditions." His research examines how hydrogen injection can enhance the reduction efficiency of iron ore sinter under conditions replicating the center of a blast furnace. Through experiments conducted at temperatures of 700°C, 900°C, and 1100°C, the study revealed that hydrogen injection could significantly improve reduction rates, especially at higher temperatures.

The findings suggest that hydrogen injection accelerates the initial reduction rate and enhances reducibility, particularly at 900°C, compared to the baseline conditions. Complete reduction was achieved at 1100°C for both scenarios, with hydrogen exhibiting a more rapid reduction rate. Dr. Abdelrahim’s research, part of the European union-funded H2transBF2030 project (Project No. 101057790), highlights the potential of hydrogen to optimize blast furnace operations, and contribute to CO₂ reduction.

Dr. Anne Heikkilä, presented her work titled "Biocoke Under Blast Furnace Atmosphere with Increased Amounts of Hydrogen." Dr. Heikkilä’s research addresses the urgent need for carbon-neutral alternatives in the steelmaking industry, which currently contributes approximately 7% of global CO₂ emissions due to its coal-based processes. Her study investigates the gasification behavior of biocoke under blast furnace conditions, comparing it with traditional coke by analyzing the impact of increased hydrogen levels on gasification rates.

Dr. Heikkilä produced a reference coke and two types of biocokes, which were tested using thermogravimetric analysis. The study showed that with a 15% hydrogen increase, biocokes with biochar additions of 6% and 3% exhibited 50% and 31% higher gasification rates, respectively, compared to reference coke. The findings highlight the potential of biocoke, produced from renewable biomass, to partially replace fossil-based carbon in blast furnaces. This research was conducted under the Research Council of Finland’s project, "Towards Carbon Neutral Steelmaking" (Grant No. 342962).

The ECIC 2024 image gallery is available here: >>link

Last updated: 1.11.2024