Optimized management of steel scrap through innovative detection technologies (OptiScrap)

Purpose and goal:

The goal of the project is to develop a new sensor combination that, in an automated way, can provide a correct chemical composition of scrap metal during the raw material handling at the steel mill. The sensor combines LIBS (laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy) technology for chemical analysis and 3D vision for volume analysis. The purpose is for the steel industry to increase its use of scrap as a raw material and reduce the use of raw materials in steel production.

The more efficient use of scrap will reduce the environmental impact and provide lower process costs for the steel industry. Expected results and effects:

Today, there is no available solution that allows correct quantitative analysis of a scrap batch, which means that corrective measures are needed after scrap loading. Characterization of scrap material enables optimized planning of steel production, which saves both raw materials and energy. The project will lead to improved circularity, reduced raw material losses in metallurgical processes and contribute to increased resource efficiency in steel production and thus reduced CO2-emissions.

Approach and implementation:

In the first part of the project, a LIBS sensor will be adapted in combination with 3D-vision, through identified needs and conditions from the steel industry. In the second part of the project, tests with melting of the scrap will be performed, both on a demo scale and on an industrial scale. The goal is to use the scrap analysis to optimize the scrap addition and thereby reduce CO2 emissions.

The final melting tests will be used to measure the project impact and aim to include more scrap than is used when the additional information is not obtained.