Centre
for High Temperature Processes, Metallurgy and Refractory Materials

On the 1st of January 2007 a new research Centre was established at the University of Leuven. It consists of a co-operation between the research group 'Thermodynamics for Material and Process Development' (dep. MTM) and a selection of leading materials companies, including U&A Genk, Umicore en Heraeus-ElectroNite. The new Centre is the result of a reformation of a previous Centre (2003-2006), which was mainly focussed on the wear mechanisms of refractory materials.

The new Centre has now broadened its horizon and will incorporate the following research tasks:

1. The microstructural analysis of metallurgical phases and structures: this work includes the analysis of as-delivered and worn refractories, synthetic and industrial slags, steel samples containing non-metallic inclusions etc.
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   1. The development of experimental techniques: setting up of different test procedures for evaluating refractory wear, for measuring the viscosity of molten slags and fluxes, for the simulation of inclusion formation, and for controlled slag evolution etc. using mass spectrometers, vertical tube furnaces with atmosphere control, a bottom loading furnace, confocal scanning laser microscopy, a vacuum induction furnace, a hybrid microwave furnace etc.
   2. The development and optimisation of characterisation methods: including light optical microscopy, microprobe analysis (EDS and WDS), scanning electron microscopy, FIB, MS, X-ray diffraction (including quantitative analysis), XRF, XPS, AAS, ICP-AES etc.
3. The thermodynamic description of metallurgical systems (phase relations of molten slag and metal systems, interaction/reaction between slag/refractory/gas/metal/matte phases, phase diagram optimisation (molten oxide and metal alloy systems)
4. The development of refractory wear models (using Lattice Boltzmann modelling, FactSage, Dictra, HSC etc.) and process models (incorporating thermodynamics/kinetics: e.g. VOD and EAF models in stainless steel production, Lead Blast Furnace etc.)

The Centre is organised in such a way that a synergy can be created between the university and industry. By working with a core group of researchers (consisting of Professors, postdoctoral researchers and technical staff) the research continuity in this complex and knowledge intensive field can be guaranteed. The Centre creates a flywheel for new and challenging research projects. Industrial ecology and process optimisation are the key concepts. In this way the Centre will be able to make its contribution to a sustainable development for the 21st Century.

In the Centre two types of research projects are performed. Specific projects include short, targeted research projects, feasibility studies, definition and writing of research proposals to outside sponsors. This type of projects is organised through a provisional budget. The second type of projects consists of so-called generic work. Generic projects are intended to strengthen the scientific and technical expertise. Another part of this work is the Promotion and Mentoring of Master and Doctoral research. The topics of interest are selected through meetings where both the Centre and the Partners have their input. Finally, generic work also involves continuous literature review in the relevant fields.

In order to allow a sound management of the Centre's work, each industrial partner is assigned a postdoctoral researcher as contact person. Through this cooperation projects can be defined and coordinated. 6-monthly steering meetings, with all Partners, are organised to discuss the running projects, to assign the portfolio for the projects and to communicate about the results of the generic projects.

In a rapidly changing world and academic environment, it seems to be increasingly difficult to attract young engineers to the field of 'metallurgy'. By investing in the Centre, our sponsors place the field of metallurgy research and education in the spotlight. The Centre thus provides a meeting ground for the metallurgical industry and young talented engineers and scientists. In the long term this also means that new employees with the required know-how are being prepared for industry. Through the partnership with an academic group, industry is continuously exposed not only to new ideas but also to bright students and young researchers.

The functioning of the Centre thus maintains continuity in the field of high-temperature processes, metallurgy and refractory materials. The Centre allows a higher base level of relevant expertise and avoids having to start from scratch every time a graduated student leaves university. Furthermore, through the prospective activities of the core group, the Centre acts as a flywheel for larger industrial projects, that may be government sponsored. In this way a larger budget becomes available for basic and applied research.

Finally, the Centre's activities and researchers form a gateway to an (inter)national academic network. In the long run this has major advantages for industry.

The Centre is open for new members. For more information contact Prof. Bart Blanpain or Dr. Peter Tom Jones.

Download the presentation.

Slag Valorisation Symposium website.

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