Purdue University Northwest’s efforts to find ways to improve the steelmaking process have received a boost from the Department of Energy.
University researchers at the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation received a $7,048,766 grant through the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for the development of a next-generation Integrated Virtual Blast Furnace to improve energy efficiency and emissions in real time and to develop a virtual training model.
“We are very grateful for this prestigious award by the Department of Energy and the strong support from our university, collaborators and supporters,” said Chenn Zhou, CIVS director and NIPSCO distinguished professor of engineering simulation. “Our top-notch project team will generate an innovative cutting-edge solution that will benefit blast furnaces in Northwest Indiana and throughout the U.S.”
U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, who visited CIVS last year, said he looks forward to supporting the work of CIVS.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to tour CIVS last year, and understand the incredible benefit that the research at Purdue Northwest provides our industrial manufacturing base,” he said. “Their capabilities are critical to the strength of our regional economy and the ability of Northwest Indiana steelworkers and tradesmen to utilize their skills with innovative technology and be a global leader in manufacturing.”
The three-year grant allows CIVS to assemble a team of experts from universities, national laboratories and industry. The project will provide the U.S. steel industry with a platform for improving operational and energy efficiency in industrial blast furnaces both offline and in real time.
According to Purdue Northwest, the project is expected to reduce energy consumption between 4.5% and 10% in blast furnace and downstream processes, improving productivity and product quality, and reducing emissions from the manufacturing process, said Tyamo Okosun, senior research engineer with CIVS who will head the project.
The project also is expected to generate education and training modules for students, engineers, and operators to provide critically needed workforce development within the steel industry.
