iSLAG – Optimising slag recycling through on-line characterization devices and intelligent decision support systems

This project aims at improving slag valorization from electric steelmaking process route through improved slag conditioning and exploration of new recycling paths, to facilitate the implementation of a real “industrial symbiosis”. These targets are achieved by a novel intelligent system integrating innovative measurement devices for characterization of liquid and solid slag with modelling and simulation tools to assess the compositions and amounts of EAF and LF slags. Different systems will be exploited on industrial sites to identify the most suitable recycling paths: on-site physical-based (LIBS and deterministic model), on-line based on electrical impedance sensor and analytical/data-driven approaches (heuristic, AI-based and hybrid). All such systems will provide information on the slag features which will be exploited by decision support systems providing support to the operators and plant managers for optimal valorization of the slag inside and outside the steelmaking cycle.

The focus of the BFI in the project is the development of:

• a novel impedance measurement system for the determination of the slag composition in the EAF and LF,
• a camera-based system for the determination of the slag viscosity during the stirring process in the LF, and
• an online slag balance model for estimating the viscosity of the slag based on its composition and temperature.

For the LF, the BFI develops a decision support system, which processes the information of the two measuring systems as well as of model calculations and suggests suitable measures for the optimization of slag properties.

• EAF
• image processing
• impedance
• LF
• on-line
• recycling
• slag