A new sinter test facility determines the most efficient and environmentally friendly way to use raw materials.
Not all ore is created equal. This raw material is important in steel production – it plays a large role in determining the quality of the end product. In other words, the best ore makes for the best steel. To help regulate ore quality, thyssenkrupp has put an automated sinter test facility into operation in Duisburg. This facility is the first of its kind worldwide. Here, small batches are tested to determine the behavior of the raw material under conditions of mass production. The facility also measures emissions released during the sintering process, so that steel plant emissions can also be reduced later on.
First of its kind worldwide – fully automated sintering in Duisburg.
Sintering is the process of mixing fine-grained iron ore with aggregates required for the blast furnace process (such as coke), heating it to high temperatures, and baking the product into large pieces. The resulting chunks of ‘sinter cakes’ are an important component in crude iron production. Employees at the test facility can define the ideal blend of components in the sinter cake within the shortest possible time.
Moreover, detailed dust analysis lets employees identify which materials release the fewest emissions during sintering. As such, the test facility makes an important contribution to environmental protection in Duisburg and the surrounding area.